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Jan 27, 2010 at 06:14 AM |
 In the last few weeks, universities have contemplated hiking their tuition by extraordinary amounts in specific programs, despite such increases being specifically prohibited by law. Currently, there is a tuition fee regulation that limits annual increases to your tuition by consumer price index (CPI). This year, CPI is set at 1.5%, meaning your tuition cannot increase by more than 1.5%.
Alberta's universities are proposing to the government to change the law so they can increase revenue from students by imposing higher differential tuition to the professional faculties based on a calculation of market modifiers.
We want to give all students a chance to speak out about your thoughts on tuition. Contact your Students' Union and find out how you can let your administration and the Government of Alberta know that raising tuition and fees is a mistake.
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Alberta tuition is too high |
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Jan 29, 2010 at 11:15 AM |
Several of Alberta's universities are saying that in specific programs Alberta's tuition is below the market rate in Canada, and are using that as an excuse for asking permission to raise tuition in those programs beyond the legal limit of CPI, which would require a change to the law and the Government of Alberta to break their promise of capping tuition at inflation.
Looking at a broad spectrum of programs and comparing Alberta institutions to the rest of the country, rather than a limited selection of schools, shows that in almost every discipline the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary are above the national average, and in some cases by several thousand dollars. Using the rationale that tuition should reflect the market average would lead to a reduction rather than an increase in most students’ tuition.
National averages can be found at Statistics Canada, UofA, UofC and UofL figures taken from their calendars. |
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Jan 15, 2010 at 05:10 AM |
When we enter an economic downturn, many in our society turn towards the public services in order to make ends meet and to get the tools needed to provide for themselves and their families and make a contribution to their communities. Similarly, society looks for a way to stimulate economic growth and innovation and make the right choices that ensures our economy does not just recover, but prospers.
Post-secondary education is often where those two goals connect, and whether it is a new student looking to earn a credential after being laid off or a new idea looking for thoughtful and innovative researchers to develop that idea, Alberta’s universities, colleges and technical institutes are an essential part of our province’s future. And that’s why the Council of Alberta University Students is supporting the Join Together Alberta campaign.
Government cuts to our public infrastructure and the programs that ensure our health, education and other community programs put our economic recovery in jeopardy, especially in places like university campuses. In fact, at our universities we can already see the impact of declining government investments in the form of higher tuition, staff layoffs and increased class sizes. Following through on planned cuts would only exacerbate the situation further and place the necessity of higher education out of reach for many Albertans.
Follow the campaign at www.jointogetheralberta.ca and on Twitter at @JoinTogetherAB. Together we can protect Alberta's public services! |
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