University of Calgary Students' Union
News Release
Students’ Union takes stand against rising tuition: Day of Action takes place February 2, 2010
If University of Calgary students think their tuition is high, they should brace themselves because the university is about to make it higher.
That’s the message the University of Calgary Students’ Union is sending out to students this week in an effort to raise awareness about the institution’s plans to increase tuition. The Students’ Union is calling on all UofC students to take a stand on the issue.
"Over the past few years, we have seen a steady increase in tuition based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) based on the provincial government’s Tuition Fee Policy. While these increases have continued to financially burden students, the policy did work to ensure tuition would not increase beyond the CPI," said Students’ Union VP External Kay She. "However this year students could be burdened with dramatic increases beyond CPI if the university has its way."
She is referring to a proposal from University of Calgary administration to the Ministry of Advanced Education and Technology to change the Tuition Fee Policy law so they can increase revenue from students. The university is proposing higher differential tuition to the professional faculties based on a calculation of market modifiers.
"Shamefully, to date the university has not share its entire proposal with students, but if it looks anything like what the University of Alberta proposed, we will see tuition increases of more than 30 per cent for professional faculties programs such as engineering, commerce, medicine and law," said She. "We could also potentially see a massive hike in non-instructional mandatory fees, which will include existing fees such as athletics and transcripts in addition to new costs that have not yet been justified to students."
"Our university is in a financial crunch and unfortunately administration is trying to balance their budget by having students carry the financial burden," said She. "For the past couple of years, our university enjoyed 6% increases to base operating grants from the provincial government. This year, we are anticipating at best, a 0% increase. Furthermore, the recession has pushed our university into a budget deficit that still needs to be balanced. What administration seems to forget is that students have also been hit hard by this recession."
With the university proposal on its way to government along with the potential of unacceptable increases in tuition and fees the Students’ Union is planning a day of action. Taking place on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, the day is designed to provide students with the opportunity to speak out.before the university’s Board of Governors vote on a tuition increase on February 22, 2010.
During the Day of Action students can visit a display in the MacEwan Student Centre and get their picture taken with a speech bubble describing the effects of higher tuition. These pictures will be turned into postcards that will be delivered to the Board of Governors when they vote on the proposal for market modifiers and compulsory fees.
Also, in the evening, Provost, Alan Harrison, will appear in a public forum in Council Chambers in MacEwan Student Centre (MSC 280) to answer student questions and concerns about the proposal.
"I encourage all students to come out and join our Day of Action," said She. "The more people that show up, the louder our voices will be to university administration. If there were ever a time our student population should band together, it is now. Tuition and fee increases effects every student, and we demand to have our voices heard during this process."
For more information on the Students’ Union’s Day of Action visit www.su.ucalgary.ca/tuition
That’s the message the University of Calgary Students’ Union is sending out to students this week in an effort to raise awareness about the institution’s plans to increase tuition. The Students’ Union is calling on all UofC students to take a stand on the issue.
"Over the past few years, we have seen a steady increase in tuition based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) based on the provincial government’s Tuition Fee Policy. While these increases have continued to financially burden students, the policy did work to ensure tuition would not increase beyond the CPI," said Students’ Union VP External Kay She. "However this year students could be burdened with dramatic increases beyond CPI if the university has its way."
She is referring to a proposal from University of Calgary administration to the Ministry of Advanced Education and Technology to change the Tuition Fee Policy law so they can increase revenue from students. The university is proposing higher differential tuition to the professional faculties based on a calculation of market modifiers.
"Shamefully, to date the university has not share its entire proposal with students, but if it looks anything like what the University of Alberta proposed, we will see tuition increases of more than 30 per cent for professional faculties programs such as engineering, commerce, medicine and law," said She. "We could also potentially see a massive hike in non-instructional mandatory fees, which will include existing fees such as athletics and transcripts in addition to new costs that have not yet been justified to students."
"Our university is in a financial crunch and unfortunately administration is trying to balance their budget by having students carry the financial burden," said She. "For the past couple of years, our university enjoyed 6% increases to base operating grants from the provincial government. This year, we are anticipating at best, a 0% increase. Furthermore, the recession has pushed our university into a budget deficit that still needs to be balanced. What administration seems to forget is that students have also been hit hard by this recession."
With the university proposal on its way to government along with the potential of unacceptable increases in tuition and fees the Students’ Union is planning a day of action. Taking place on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, the day is designed to provide students with the opportunity to speak out.before the university’s Board of Governors vote on a tuition increase on February 22, 2010.
During the Day of Action students can visit a display in the MacEwan Student Centre and get their picture taken with a speech bubble describing the effects of higher tuition. These pictures will be turned into postcards that will be delivered to the Board of Governors when they vote on the proposal for market modifiers and compulsory fees.
Also, in the evening, Provost, Alan Harrison, will appear in a public forum in Council Chambers in MacEwan Student Centre (MSC 280) to answer student questions and concerns about the proposal.
"I encourage all students to come out and join our Day of Action," said She. "The more people that show up, the louder our voices will be to university administration. If there were ever a time our student population should band together, it is now. Tuition and fee increases effects every student, and we demand to have our voices heard during this process."
For more information on the Students’ Union’s Day of Action visit www.su.ucalgary.ca/tuition