University to increase PhD continuation fee and charge for 4th year of study

The continuation fee is paid by research students that are registered greater than 2 years on a Masters and 3 years on a PhD. The current continuation fee amounts to €437.

The proposed increase to the fee is as follows: For Business, Arts & Education candidates, it is proposed to increase the fee to €1,000 while for Science & Engineering candidates, it is proposed to increase the fee to €1,500 with the additional €500 representing a laboratory bench fee. A further increase of €500 will be introduced from 1^st September 2011.

The increase is set to be enforced from 1st September 2010.

Full fees are being introduced to students commencing their research from 1^st January 2011 with the increase in continuation fee also applying. Full fees will not affect students currently in the system. Of the 7 University’s in the country, 3 charge full fees for the duration of the programme while UL is aligning with NUIG to charge for the 4^th year only.

The University’s reasoning for these increases are as follows:

· It is an area that can yield additional income for the University

· An incentive for researchers to exit the University in a more promptly manner

· Before this fee introduction, UL was the only University not to charge 4^th year fees, so it is matching its competition

· Align the fee with our strategic partner NUIG

At the moment I am compiling your responses of concerns and opinions to prepare an argument to put in front of the University. Once this is complete I will email it to you all and I invite you to have a read and contact the President Don Barry, the VPAR Paul McCutcheon, and the five Deans Huw Lewis (Graduate School), Pat O'Connor (AHSS), Donal Dineen (KBS), Kieran Hodnett (S&E) and Mary O'Sullivan (EHS), H.O.D. here and supervisors your feelings, worries, and thoughts regarding the matter. Make some noise and tell them that you cannot afford any more charges - you have already been affected by cuts and they cannot get blood from a stone!

From my previous email, I suggested would it suit you to pay for fees in bulk or in instalments. The outcome of this is instalments. I have arranged a meeting the University Finance Dept to discuss this. From June’s Governing Authority and the concerns that Michael put forward in your defence, he was advised to inform students that should they experience difficulty regarding this matter; they should arrange a meeting with their supervisor.

I continue to look for feedback from you all as we have strength in numbers and I urge you not to sit back and allow the University to do what its doing

My predecessor would have sent a letter to the powers that be and please see the template below. I'd encourage you to add your own thoughts to it.

Template.

To: Don.barry,paul.mccutcheon, huw.lewis,pat.oconnor,....

Subject: Objection to unfair increases to PhD fees!

To whom it may concern,

I have recently been made aware that the University intends to increase the continuation fee from €437 to €1,000 or €1,500 for the academic year 2010/2011 - this increase will mean that many PhD students will not be able to complete their research at a point where they are heartbreakingly close to completion.

In addition to the increase to the continuation fee the University intends to charge FULL FEEs for the 4th year of research for the first time, for EU students this could mean extra charges starting at €6,000 - for non-EU students that amount will more than likely be three times that amount.

These charges come at a time when PhD students are almost at breaking point and any increase will unfortunately mean that many will have to discontinue their research with obvious consequences to them and to the wider University and community. These charges may alleviate a short-term financial problem but in my opinion will damage the University in the long term as PhD students opt for other Universities to conduct their research.

Please put whatever pressure you can on anyone you believe may be able to further our cause,

Is mise le meas,

__________________

Copy of the letter sent to the President, VPAR and the five Deans on 17/06/10 by PSA President Michael Bourke.

President Don Barry,

It has come to the attention of the Postgraduate Student Association through emails sent from supervisors that the University of Limerick intends to increase the continuation fee from €437 to €1,000 or €1,500 for some students. This increase will coincide with the University also introducing charges for the 4^th year of PhD research for the first time. It is our hope that these charges be deferred and only charged to incoming students in AY 10/11. We are adamant that existing students should be spared the unfair pain of these charges. Since word of these charges has spread around the campus, many PhD students who are nearing the end of their studies have expressed fear that they will not be able to continue to completion.

The increase of the continuation fee comes at a time when many students are already stretched to breaking point; and for many students who avail of the continuation fee, any increase could mean that years of research will be wasted. The general consensus among students is that of solidarity with the University – it is also a general consensus among many that the University does not share this solidarity with its students. This decision seems to be based entirely on financial reasoning and considering the financial strain being placed on the University by the governments changes to core-grant funding; most students agree that everyone must shoulder some of the burden, but these measures push too much of a burden upon students who already have to deal with greatly reduced teaching hours, complete lack of employment opportunities, and greatly strained support systems.

It has been observed that other Universities charge full fees for the 4^th year of PhD research and that continuation fees are higher in other Universities; but to take a short-sighted, and some have suggested underhanded, decision without consultation or consideration for those effected is despicable and suggests a departure from the Presidents goal of achieving the best possible student experience for all UL students. The Presidents insistence of a premier student experience for all students has being a source of great pride not just for the President, but for all of the campus community who have collectively enjoyed the development of UL as world-class University. It is distressing that so many of its brightest students no longer feel that this premier student experience is available to them.

I can only hope that the University steps in to curtail the finance machine as it begins to decimate the valuable research and work carried out by so many. We believe that any changes to the current fee arrangement should only be inflicted upon incoming PhD students in AY 10/11 with their prior agreement before enrolment. Existing students should be spared as many have already exhausted all possible funding streams, any increase to the continuation fee will result in years of wasted research as students find themselves in an impossible position. It is the opinion of many current PhD students that had they been aware of the possibility of this change to fees in UL, they would have chosen to study elsewhere.

Is mise le meas,

Michael Bourke

President, Postgraduate Students’ Association, University of Limerick.
Uachtarán, Cumann na nIarchéimithe, Ollscoil Luimnigh.