University looks at course restrictions

The University of Otago's main academic committee has supported the establishment of a working party to investigate whether the university should further restrict entry to some courses.

The senate, a committee of senior academic staff and student association representatives, yesterday endorsed a recommendation from vice-chancellor Prof David Skegg.

As yet, no terms of reference had been settled for the working party and its membership had not been determined, Prof Skegg said after the meeting.

New Zealand's eight universities, including Otago, already restrict entry to many specialist courses such as medicine, veterinary science, dentistry, law, surveying and physical education.

But they say more courses may have to be capped because the Tertiary Education Commission's new funding regime, which came into effect on January 1, only funds institutions for an agreed number of students.

In December, Auckland University became the first university to announce it would ‘‘manage admissions'' in arts, education, science, theology and first-year law courses from next year.

Prof Skegg has already said a decision on the future of admissions at Otago will require wide consultation.

Quoted in the university's Otago magazine this month, he said there were arguments for and against restricted entry.

While confining admission to the ablest students would appear to support the university's aim of achieving excellence, it had philosophical and practical problems.

The university had an obligation to service its community, and there was also a danger it would turn away students from ‘‘groups under-represented at New Zealand universities in the past'' (Maori and Pacific Island students).

Otago also treasured its relationship with graduates' descendants and would want to continue to enrol them provided they were academically qualified to attend university.

In the article, Prof Skegg said there was no need to make a knee-jerk decision.

‘‘I hope there will be an opportunity for all members of the university community to make their views known, because the choices we make could have a major influence on our future.''

He had no further comment to make yesterday.

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