Those Who Need It The Most Are Not Getting Enough

CAPA applauds the eighth recommendation of the Senate Committee report, Universities in Crisis, that the current funding models for universities be altered to better reflect the specific needs of regional and new universities, as well as those universities serving a large population of disadvantaged students.

"The current funding model for universities is atrociously out of date and needs an urgent overhaul" said CAPA President, John Byron.

The current funding system is based on the historical agreed funding base developed in 1990, with the only additions since then being 'agreed growth'.

"This funding system does not reflect the changing circumstances or needs of universities. The universities are not able to be responsive to varying student and industry requirements, because they just don't have enough money" said Mr Byron.

"An example of the shortfalls in this funding system is that universities are not compensated for providing places in high cost courses such as health related courses, instead of low cost courses, even where there is significant industry demand." he continued.

"Asking universities to choose between providing places in high cost areas which are sorely needed by industry and our country, as opposed to providing low cost places which will not bankrupt their university is shameful," Mr Byron said.

"As for regional universities, not only are they not able to respond to increased student demand, but they are often finding their quality of delivery is at risk. The current funding arrangements do not compensate them enough in recognition of their extra expenses which are involved with running a regional campus" continued Mr Byron.

"The Senate committee calls for changes to the funding of universities which will bring this system out of the 1990s and into the new millennium.

"Universities should be funded to provide places in courses which are needed now, and this funding should be based at a rate which is realistic in today's economic climate.

"If universities are not funded adequately, then there is a risk that thousands of potential students will never get the opportunity to study.

"This is not only disappointing for the individuals, but also devastating for the regions which they come from and for the Australian industries which are crying out for more graduates." he concluded.