HEA fees letter causes concern

The Students’ Union is to consider its response to moves by the Department of Education to warn students of the potential return of tuition fees next year.

The fees, which will only apply to this year’s incoming first years, are expected to reach as much as €8,000 per academic year in some degrees.

In a letter seen by the College View, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) advised all college presidents to ensure that “incoming students in the 09/10 academic year be [put] on notice that in the event of a Government decision to introduce a new form of student contribution, and such arrangements are liable to apply [to them].”

Through his blog, Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski confirmed the existence of the letter and reiterated his view that fees should not be applied retrospectively.

“I believe that it is important to maintain a principle of no retroactivity, and a new framework should only affect those who knew about it when they applied for a third level course.

“In fact, when this year’s [08/09] new intake were filling in their CAO forms there were statements assuring them that when fees were introduced they would not apply to existing students.”

Von Prondzynski also confirmed his desire that universities will be consulted before the final decision is made on the new contribution.

Reacting to the letter SU campaigns and information officer Melanie Farrell advised first years to “take heed of the letter” and confirmed that it was “an issue of utmost importance to Union Council and will be discussed at the first opportunity.”

The Students’ Union has yet to formalise a strategy to tackle the imminent return of tuition fees. Farrell would not comment on any strategy being proposed as a “majority consensus through union council would have to be reached before any public statement is made”.

Meanwhile the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has stepped up its campaign against third level fees by staging sleep-outs and public protests outside Leinster House. Turnout for these events was small.

Reacting to the HEA letter, Peter Mannion, president of USI said: “It is appalling that this Minister has pre-empted his colleagues’ feedback just weeks before they are due to submit their views on the re-introduction of third-level fees.

“This letter suggests that he has already made up his mind to re-introduce fees without hearing the views of the Cabinet on the matter.”

He added that “recent information shows that many TDs are opposed to fees, but it seems as if the Minister is ignoring this fact.”