wfn.org | Africa University sets budget; some students protest

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

May 6, 1998	Contact: Linda Green*(615)742-5470*Nashville, Tenn.
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By United Methodist News Service

A perceived increase in tuition by some students at United
Methodist-related Africa University in Zimbabwe led to a small student
protest during the April board meeting of the university's board of
directors.

The board of directors had wrapped up its annual meeting at the
university in Mutare on April 24 with the approval of a budget of $4.2
million in American dollars or Z$66 million for the 1998-99 academic
year. The budget, effective July 1, is the largest for the United
Methodist-related institution to date. It covers operating costs for the
period from July 1, 1998 to June 30, 1999; and planned investment in
computer equipment and library resources and other items.

Africa University, which opened in 1992, is the first fully accredited
private institution of higher learning  in Zimbabwe. It is the only
United Methodist-related, degree-granting university on the continent.
More than 560 students from 15 African countries are currently enrolled,
and an additional 260 more will begin classes in August. 

According to James Salley, assistant vice chancellor for institutional
advancement with offices in Nashville, Tenn.,  the board of directors
decided to freeze basic undergraduate fees for the upcoming academic
year at $3500 in U.S. dollars; the same level set by the board in April
1997. The University set the exchange rate of US$1 to Z$15 for the
entire 1998-1999 academic year despite ongoing negative pressure on the
value of the Zimbabwean dollar.

Salley said because of the devalued Zimbabwean dollar, students from
Zimbabwe saw the $3500 tuition cost as a fee increase. During the
1997-98 academic year, $3500 equaled $38,000 in Zimbabwean dollars.
"This year if you use the exchange of $1US to Z$15, that equates to
Z$52,000," he said. "This is not an increase," he said. "The board froze
the fees in order to assist the students," he said. 
During the board's meeting, students were reminded that the devalued
Zimbabwean dollar not only affects Zimbabwean students, but students
from other countries as well.  In discussions with the students, Africa
University's Chancellor and Chairman of the Board Bishop Emilio de
Carvalho noted that the University was aware of and sensitive to the
economic hardships facing families in many African countries.

In spite of discussion and explanation, some Zimbabwean students advised
the institution on April 20 of a class boycott to protest the fees.
Salley said several students sat in the streets blocking the exit of the
board members. "Police were called and the students immediately
disbursed themselves. No one was injured," he said.

According to de Carvalho, Africa University is "committed to doing all
that we can to find more money for scholarships and financial aid for
our students."  He said a critical element of the institution's  mission
to train and nurture new leadership for Africa "is to make sure that
there is always room at this institution for young people from families
that are unable, because of their circumstances, to pay the full fees."

Africa University is growing and so is its impact both locally and
internationally, Salley said. "The dream of increased access to higher
education for African young people is being realized at Africa
University because of the funds, prayers and other support we get
primarily from United Methodists in the United States." United
Methodists contribute more than 95 percent of the university's operating
budget.

In the 1997-98 academic year, Africa University awarded more than Z$3
million in financial aid and scholarships to its students. Within the
budget for the next academic year, the board approved an additional
Z$1.5 million in financial support for students. The total available for
needy students is more than Z$4.5 million for 1998-99. 

According to Rukudzo Murapa, who will be installed as the university's
new president in November, every student at the university "enjoys a
large subsidy because our fees are set way below the actual cost of
educating a student."  The actual cost of educating a student at Africa
University is $9,000.

However, he said, the university must set its fees at a level which
allows students who can pay to make a contribution to the cost of their
education.

"While we recognize that inflation, currency depreciation and other
factors are having a very negative impact on the buying power of the
average African family; as a private international institution, we must
organize ourselves and operate in a fiscally sound manner," he said.

Major priorities for the upcoming  year include the launch of the
university's fifth academic discipline-Humanities and Social
Sciences-and the development of outreach projects to take the
university's programs continent-wide.
# # #
Andra Stevens, director of information at Africa University, contributed
to this report.

United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
News releases and photos available at
http://www.umc.org/umns/