As I was browsing through my IVLE just now, the bold red discussion forum set up for the fee hike caught my eyes. I watched the news today and realised that there is yet another additional $110 to be added to our school fees. The 2nd price hike since I enter into NUS and I hope it would be the last.

Well, as I browsed through some of the comments made, I realised most of the students, or should I say all were quite angry at the price hike. Most felt that NUS was not transparent about the use of our money and many feared the history of the NKF sega would befall on NUS. They felt that the hike doesn't seems to justifiable since no detail was disclosed and although NUS and NTU did held a discussion with MOE, there were NO students representatives. Some of them blamed the NUSSU for not fighting for our rights since they should be the one representing us. As I read on, I found some super funny comments too, saying we should do stunts and performances on television to help NUS get money since NUS is so "poor". haha... I nearly died when I read this ...hahhahaha... I guess maybe it will be a reality soon.... if NUS is still running short of money even after the second hike....Here are some of the comments made by the students which I find really interesting... ( for those who can't access IVLE)


Topic:
Re: Feedback and Constructive Suggesstions

What is the purpose of NUSSU if the decision was already made before they were "informed of an impending increase in tuition fees"? Felt that there was a little redundancy here. It's like in an infantry company whereby the OC made a horrible decision and left the CSM to break the news to the rest, making the latter the "bad guy".
Anyway, 3 cheers to NUS *clap clap* for such a great V-Day present- our overpriced education!!! But in the meantime, do keep a lookout for anyone that looks like a certain former NKF CEO...


Come on man, some students are really working to pay tuition fees and/or using their parents’ savings and CPF to pay for things that may have nothing to do with their education…surely that is worth something to fight for..

These are the kinds of undergraduates we need to seriously look at the university’s claims:

Law undergrads – to check if it’s actually legal for the university to raise fees and apply it to everyone including matriculated students who have signed contracts saying otherwise
Economics undergrads – to look at “competitive-ness” of professors’ pay
Engineering undergrads – to check for energy saving devices and optimal use of resources such as electricity use etc
Business undergrads – to look at the quotation/costing mechanisms of NUS and see if they are paying for thousand-dollar gold taps
Accountancy/Finance undergrads – to audit NUS finances, the centennial celebrations, infrastructure expenditure, even if not to audit, but to reveal and highlight key aspects from whatever public information is available
Statistics undergrads - scientific poll of undergrads, alumni in response to the fee hike
Psychology undergrads (such as myself) – psycho-analyze the whole administration
Others - _________________

Haha... why bother with constructive suggestions? Even if we protest loud and long enough, at the most they will do is just issue some bureaucratic statement about how much they understand. Then... nothing happens and life goes on.

Well, I totally disagree with the fee hike. I mean, what for? To make everything look more fancy? For eg, what for having this security scan at the chinese library?? It is absolute wastage of resources because if it is meant to prevent outsiders from coming in to utilise the library, they still can come in via the central library's main entrance!!Moreover, such sophisticated security applications are not necessary. What if the student forgets to bring his matric card? Well, too bad, he/she is denied the entry into library though he/she has paid increased school fees!
Hmm by the way, I wonder why this forum is set up since by hook or by cook, the fees are going up.. huh dumb of me to realise tt I have wasted my time to voice an opinion which may not be considered at all...

I think that instead of increasing fees, the University should look for ways to save money instead. For example, why is there a need to use power jets to clean the pavements when they don't look dirty? Or cut down on the amount of aircon and lights used. The Central Library is way too cold.

I am sure increased resources are expected to bring improvement to the quality of education. But if such improvement comes with the same or even lower costs, it distinguishes top-class management from lousy management. In view of NUS corporatisation, it's worthwhile for NUS management to reflect on their archievement and performance so far.I wonder if there's independent monitor body in NUS that oversees resource utilisation/vote on proposed big expenditures.

So they teach one thing and do another?
So much for corporate governance and ethics and disclosure and transparency.
Are students not the stakeholders? Why was the news just dumped upon us without any justification? Rising costs hardly says anything! Any student can write THAT kind of memo.
Away with free gifts, we don't mind, as someone pointed out. That centenial mug is hideous and just another marketing tool anyway.

Exactly! what is the rising cost? the money spent to build the new university hall? i remembered that the one opposite UCC was only built 3 years' ago. so what's the reason of having a new one and claim that the university need money to keep up with the rising cost? just to make NUS look good because we are among the world top universities? the budget for students' residential life has been but his year after the centennial celebration. so in fact we are just paying extra and the students are not actually benefit from it in any way...