A comparison of New Zealand universities shows the University of Otago is not the only institution facing flat enrolments.
A comparison of New Zealand universities' annual reports for last year, except Lincoln, was tabled at the university's council meeting yesterday.
University financial services director Grant McKenzie said the reports showed there was ''minimal growth'' across the whole sector.
The report showed equivalent full-time students (EFTS) across the sector, except for Lincoln, on average grew by only .33%. Otago was one of three universities to experience a decline in numbers for the year, with EFTS falling 1.9%.
However, chancellor John Ward and chief operating officer John Patrick said the comparison showed the university was in a strong financial position.
Mr Patrick said Otago had a lower level of debt than all other universities. Asked why Otago's capital works commitment of $4.712 million last year was lower than all but one other university, Mr Patrick said this was because last year was a ''planning year''.
This would soon change, with the university committed to a major capital works programme over the next decade, he said.
The university's monthly financial statements for the period to the end of May showed its surplus for the year to date was $6.582 million, which was $494,000 higher than budget, and $2.99 million lower than at the corresponding time last year.
The university's income stood at $249.349 million, which was $759,000 less than budget and $435,000 less than at the corresponding time last year, largely due to lower-than-expected research income.
Expenditure for the period was $242.767 million. This was $1.253 million less than budget and $2.555 million more than last year, mainly due to timing and ''modest savings''.
Despite lower-than-expected income, and research funding and student numbers lower
than last year, Mr McKenzie said the university was in a ''strong financial position''.
