Over $51 million dollar budget cut for struggling universities

Massey will be having baked beans on toast for dinner with more budget cuts of millions for it and other universities.  

Almost $52 million will be cut from the next budget to four major universities struggling with enrolment, announced the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).  

On September 1st, Massey students and student reps gathered on the Wellington Terrace to protest the cuts announced by TEC.  

Student protesters were holding signs saying, “cuts so bad even the introverts are here” and “stop suffocating tertiary education”. 

The other universities affected are University of Otago, Auckland University of Technology, Victoria University of Wellington, and Polytech Te Pūkenga.  

Andrew Steele, general president of Massey student association Te Tira Ahu Pae, attended the strike, “We stand in alliance with the other university student unions against these cuts … we will not stand by.” 

Stuff reported falling student enrolments at the affected universities and polytechnic were behind a forecast $107.7 million shortfall for the already cash-strapped tertiary education providers. 

The Tertiary Education Commission defended its action, saying it was predicting enrolments for next year to be “significantly lower”.  

Victoria University of Wellington and Otago University asked the TEC to delay reducing their funding this year and instead recover it in 2024.  

When asked why Massey did not join this plea, a spokesperson said, “Massey asked for the TEC’s consideration in making any adjustments during the wash up process in April 2024.” 

The university received a letter from TEC in August proposing a downward amendment to its 2023 funding and were given the opportunity to respond.  

The university confirmed there would be under delivery in 2023 and added that any early recovery would create additional financial pressures for it.  

The TEC responded saying it would be progressing the proposal to amend Massey’s funding to reduce the anticipated 2023 recovery amount despite the added pressure on universities.  

“Massey is disappointed at the response and notes the additional financial strain this decision will impose,” said the spokesperson.  

They said recoveries due to lower than predicted enrolment numbers were part of the regular funding process the university had planned for in its financial forecasts for 2023.  

“The difference this year is that TEC is recovering funding in-year rather than year end, as in previous years.” 

Massey was asked if the further budget cuts would increase job and course cuts. The spokesperson said, “To ensure our university has a sustainable future in the current economic environment, we are focused on the important work of examining the university’s academic offering to reduce the proportions of courses with low enrolment”.