NorthTec arts student worried potential reprieve for courses comes too late

NorthTec says three programme areas initially earmarked for termination may be reinstated if there is sufficient student demand for 2018. Photo / File

A NorthTec arts student says while there is some hope following the polytech's final restructuring decisions she is still worried for the future of her course.

The Northland tertiary education provider released details on Friday of the decisions it has reached on the restructuring proposals announced in October.

As part of the decision three programme areas have been given the opportunity to be reinstated if they have sufficient student demand for 2018. One of those courses is the Bachelor of Applied Arts.

Students who enrolled with the intention of completing the degree programme will be supported through to completion.

Meanwhile, a year one intake in 2018 is confirmed if there is sufficient student demand and stakeholder support is in place, the release said.

Bachelor of Applied Arts student Kaelani Hamilton, who finished her first year of the degree this year, said she was worried NorthTec would not be able to meet demand this late in the year.

"How are they supposed to actually hit the number of enrolments if we're coming up to the Christmas break?

"I've talked to past graduates and current students and we are willing to do whatever it takes to get the arts programme out there. Even though it's the holidays we love that place so much and we believe in that programme so much we're willing to do whatever we can," she said.

NorthTec also confirmed five programme areas - business administration and computing, construction, environmental studies and science, hospitality, and information systems - will cease some or all of their delivery once students currently enrolled on these courses have completed them.

The campuses at Kerikeri and Rawene will be closed, or "rested" as NorthTec describes it.

NorthTec said the intention is to potentially recommence a revisited range of programmes at the Kerikeri campus in 2019 - subject to student demand and stakeholder support.

Ms Hamilton, who juggles study with five children, said she was glad she was able to finish her degree but was still worried for the future of arts.

"I'm so worried for the up and coming, what happens to the arts in the area? It will die. NorthTec is the hub for a lot of the arts in the area," she said.