The National University of Samoa (N.U.S.) has undertaken decisive measures regarding outstanding fees by opting against de-registration while withholding Semester 1 results for those with unpaid fees. 

The move comes in response to a significant reduction in outstanding fees following an initial notice issued earlier this month.

Of the 838 students who were put on notice, 459 responded by either settling their fees entirely or making partial payments as of Friday, 26 April. 

This was confirmed by the Vice Chancellor of N.U.S., Tuifuisa'a Patila Amosa in response to queries from this newspaper. 

According to Tuifuisa'a, of the 838 students initially identified with outstanding fees, 377 complied with the notice either by fully paying their fees or entering into partial payment agreements. This compliance has effectively reduced the number of students with outstanding fees to 461 as of 19 April.

However, in a further development, as of 26 April, the number of students with outstanding fees dropped even further to 379. 

Despite this progress, the University has decided to retain a stringent stance on unpaid fees, opting not to implement deregistration but to withhold Semester 1 results for any student remaining on the list of unpaid fees.

"Due to the significant drop in the number of students that have come in to pay off or partially pay their outstanding tuition fees, Management has opted not to implement deregistration but to withhold the Semester 1 results of any student that remains on our list of unpaid fees," Tuifuisa'a explained. 

With the current semester reaching its eleventh week and three more teaching weeks remaining, the University acknowledged the ongoing influx of parents and students seeking partial payment agreements. 

Consequently, the administration has decided to allow continued access to course materials on Moodle for students with outstanding fees. However, it remains clear that no student failing to settle their tuition fees will receive Semester 1 results in June.

This approach aims to strike a balance between providing students with access to essential learning resources while upholding the University's financial regulations.

By retaining access to course materials on Moodle, the University demonstrates its commitment to supporting students' academic progress while simultaneously emphasising the importance of fulfilling financial obligations.

"Also as this is Week 11 of semester with three more teaching weeks to go, and because we still have parents and students coming in for partial payment agreements, we have decided to retain their access to course materials on Moodle. 

"But again, no student with outstanding tuition will receive Semester 1 results in June."