The University of Queensland Academic Board has endorsed a proposal to defer the introduction of full-fee places for Australian students beyond 1998.
The matter will now go for decision to the meeting of the University's governing Senate on June 5.
Academic Board President Professor Andrew Lister said the proposal supported by the Board had been put forward by the strategic planning committee following wide consultation within the University.
While recommending against the introduction of full-fee places for Australian undergraduates in 1998, the committee said the matter should be kept under review, based on advice from faculties on levels of demand and capacity, consultation with professional groups and market research.
Professor Lister said the strategic planning committee had recognised that the probable demand for undergraduate fee paying places was limited to a small number of high-demand professional courses, and before any introduction, detailed consultation with the professions would be required to avoid oversupply.
However, there were also uncertainties because of the fluid state of government policy which may be modified further by the outcomes of the West Committee of Review of Higher Education Financing and Policy.
Further, the availability of an additional 185 HECs-liable places in 1998 would also moderate demand.
While voting to defer full-fee access to quota places, Professor Lister said the Board had supported the option of a repeat offering of subjects on a full-fee basis in a summer semester to allow accelerated progress or catch up on subjects that had been missed. Students would always be provided with opportunities at other times to complete the subjects on a HECS-liable basis.
Professor Lister said debate at both the Academic Board and at the committee stages had highlighted two key issues - the importance of maintaining the academic integrity of the University courses and of ensuring equitable treatment of full-fee-paying and non-full-fee students.
Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay, who is also chair of the strategic planning committee, said he would support the Board's recommendation at the University Senate.
Professor Hay praised the collegial processes through which the Academic Board had taken account of the particular circumstances of the University of Queensland without being swayed by positions adopted by other universities.
He said the University had other initiatives which were of more immediate importance including the opening a new campus at Ipswich in 1999.
Further information: Professor Lister (07) 33651320
