Under sections 227A(4) and 235D(1) of the Education Act 1989, I give notice of the proposed directions relating to compulsory fees for student services.
N o t i c e
1. Title-This notice may be cited as the Education (Compulsory Student Services Fees) Notice 2013.
2. Commencement-The proposed conditions outlined in this notice apply until 31 March 2015.
3. Proposal-I propose to give directions on compulsory student services fees pursuant to sections 227A(1) and 235D(1) of the Education Act 1989.
4. Call for submissions-Any tertiary education provider and any other person, body or organisation that has an interest in this matter is invited to make a submission on the proposed direction as set out in this notice.
All submissions should be sent to
Student Services Fees Submissions
Tertiary Education Policy
Ministry of Education
PO Box 1666
Wellington 6140
or email
tertiary.strategy@minedu.govt.nz
5. Date for submissions-All submissions must be received by 31 January 2013.
Dated at Wellington this 10th day of January 2013.
HON STEVEN JOYCE, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment.
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Proposed Direction on Compulsory Student Services Fees for 2013
Pursuant to sections 227A(1) and 235D(1) of the Education Act 1989, I give the following direction to institutions and private training establishments (together referred to in this direction as "providers"):
Objective
1. The objective of the direction is to ensure accountability in the use of compulsory fees for student services.
Coverage
2. All providers that charge a compulsory student services fee to domestic students must comply with the provisions of this direction.
Effective date
3. Providers must give effect to this direction as soon as reasonably practicable after 15 February 2013.
Decision-making
4. Providers must establish adequate arrangements for decisions to be made jointly, or in consultation with the students enrolled at the provider, or their representatives, on the following matters:
(a) the maximum amount that students will be charged for student services; and
(b) the types of services to be delivered (within the categories set out under paragraph 8 of this direction); and
(c) the procurement of these services; and
(d) the method for authorising expenditure on these services.
Accounting for the use of compulsory student services fees
5. Providers must either hold compulsory student services fees in a separate bank account, or ensure that all income and expenditure associated with the provision of such services is separately accounted for in the provider’s accounting system.
Reporting on compulsory student services fees
6. Institutions must include a description of the services funded out of the compulsory student services fee and a statement of the fee income and expenditure for each type of student service in their annual report.
7. Registered private training establishments must provide students with a written report, describing the services that have been funded out of the student services fee and a statement of the fee income and expenditure on each type of student service.
Categories of student services
8. Providers may charge compulsory student services fees to support the delivery of following categories of services:
(a) Advocacy and legal advice Advocating on behalf of individual students and groups of students, and providing independent support to resolve problems. This includes advocacy and legal advice relating to accommodation.
(b) Careers information, advice and guidance Supporting students’ transition into post-study employment.
(c) Counselling services Providing non-academic counselling and pastoral care, such as chaplains.
(d) Employment information Providing information about employment opportunities for students while they are studying.
(e) Financial support and advice Providing hardship assistance and advice to students on financial issues.
(f) Health services Providing health care and related welfare services.
(g) Media Supporting the production and dissemination of information by students to students, including newspapers, radio, television and internet-based media.
(h) Childcare services Providing affordable childcare services while parents are studying.
(i) Clubs and societies Supporting student clubs and societies, including through the provision of administrative support and facilities for clubs and societies.
(j) Sports, recreation and cultural activities Providing sports, recreation and cultural activities for students.
HON STEVEN JOYCE, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment.