Overview of the Compulsory Student Services Fees (CSSF) framework Roger Smyth Group Manager, Tertiary Education

Compulsory Student Services Fees  What are Compulsory Student Services Fees (CSSF)?  Compulsory fees charged by tertiary education providers as a condition of enrolment.... .... to deliver services that are not directly connected to the provision of education... .... but nevertheless enhance the student experience  The legal framework in 2010  In 2010, the Education Act 1989 allowed the Government to limit compulsory tuition fees, but not student services fees.

The Problem  Problems arising in 2010  The scale of the increase in CSSF  Providers could circumvent the regulation of tuition fees by collecting additional money through CSSF levies  There was no clear definition of CSSF  Lack of transparency  Potential risks to student services posed by the introduction of voluntary student membership

Categories of CSSF in 2010

Government’s Objectives  In regulating the CSSF framework, Government wanted to:  Enable greater involvement of students in the setting of the fees  Require more transparency in the setting and administration of the fees  Set clearer limits on what services should be funded through these fees  Ensure that appropriate limits were set on the amount that providers may charge

Options considered by Government  Status quo  Setting explicit controls through legislation  Giving the Minister the power to set directions on how providers may charge fees for services

The Ministerial Direction on CSSF – Decision-Making  If a provider decides to charge a CSSF levy, it has to comply with decision-making, accounting and reporting requirements: Decision-Making Requirements Providers have to make arrangements for decisions to be made jointly, or in consultation with the students, or their representatives, on the following matters:  The amount that students will be charged for student services  The types of services to be delivered  The procurement of these services  The method for authorising expenditure on these services.

The Ministerial Direction on CSSF – Accounting and Reporting Accounting Providers charging a CSSF levy must either hold CSSF income in a separate account or ensure that CSSF income and expenditure is accounted for separately in the accounting system. Reporting on CSSF Universities, Polytechnics and Wānanga must provide information on CSSF in their annual reports. The following information must be included:  A description of the services funded out of the CSSF  A statement of the fee income and expenditure for each student service  The compulsory student services fee levy charged per Equivalent Full Time Student  A note to their reporting stating how they are complying with the accounting requirements of the direction.

Categories of Student Services Providers may charge compulsory student services fees to support the delivery of the following categories of services:  Advocacy and Legal Advice  Career Information, Advice and Guidance  Counselling Services  Employment Information  Financial Support and Advice  Health Services  Media  Childcare Services  Clubs and Societies  Sports, Recreation and Cultural Activities.

Progress to Date and Next Steps  Yearly increases down to 2% on average in 2013  Compliance with reporting requirements improving, but variable  Compliance with decision-making requirements variable   The same trend – low rises, improving compliance Next Steps  The Ministry of Education is carrying out a review of the CSSF framework  Your feedback is essential