«When the Norwegian School of Management can demand tuition fees, why can’t the University of Oslo?»
Student representative Kristian Meisingset is criticised for speaking in positive terms about an implementation of tuition fees, to the precise contrary of Student Parliament policy.
«It can only be positive when public and private institutions are equal. When the Norwegian School of Management can demand tuition fees, why can’t the University of Oslo?», Meisingset writes in an article published in the Conservative Student Union’s (DKSF) periodical Minerva, issue 04/05. The article was published in the Norwegian newspaper Morgenbladet in a summarised version on 16 December. Meisingset, who in student politics represents the non-socialist coalision of political groups Moderat Gruppe, writes that tuition fees of NOK 20,000 per academic year would provide UiO with an increased income of NOK 600 million. In the event that the universities cannot reach the objective of improving quality on their own, a proposal of tuition fees should be given «a realistic debate». Quotes are taken from the original version.
– It undisputedly looks like Meisingset is initiating a debate on the possible implementation of tuition fees, deputy leader of the political group Sosialdemokratene Egil Heinert says to Universitas.
– It appears as if he is very much in favour of tuition fees judging from the article, leader of the liberal political group Ventrealliansen Benjamin E. Jonsrud agrees.
Implementing policies through the back door
Jonsrud points out that it was concluded by the law on Higher Education of last year that universities cannot demand tuition fees.
– Shortly after, the Minister of Education and Research at the time, Kristin Clemet, announced a new round on the possibilities of demanding tuition fees. I am not surprised if Mesingset supports this.
Jonsrud feels that there is a clear tendency of implementing tuition fees through the back door at the University of Oslo (UiO).
– There are certain programs enjoying agreements with foreign universities in which a set amount is paid for the entire length of the program. And it is unknown how much of the money that actually goes to the foreign university. Another example is the UiO-run Gründerskolen, which demands tuition fees, he says.
Other sources
Meisingset himself makes clear to Universitas that he is not pro tuition fees, and that quality improvement should come from other sources. The paragraph of the article dealing with tuition fees is meant as a rhetorical point in order to stress that it is all about improving quality.
– You ask the question: Why can’t UiO demand tuition fees when the Norwegian School of Management can?
– When we consider how much money we could make through tuition fees, they identify their possibility to improve quality because you would be able to spend more time and resources on each student.
– You write that tuition fees should be given a realistic debate if the universities are unable to reach a solution as to improve quality?
– Lack of tuition fees are labelled as a reason behind the lack of resources at European universities. This should be kept in mind. However, you should try to reach the objectives with other sources. If UiO is to employ a high level of quality, there is a need for more resources.
Meisingset underlines that it is very important that higher education is available for everyone, and that it is a significant advantage for Norway to have many highly educated people.
