Last friday, the University of Alberta approved a
6.4% tuition increase to mitigate a $11 million deficit. This is roughly $307 in annual tuition increase for Arts and Science students bringing the total to $5,105. The real issue, as described by the University's VP of Finance and our Students' Union President, is not tuition but a lack of government support.
Twenty-five years ago, the province provided $10 in support to every $1 of tuition. Today, that figure has dropped to $2.30 in government support for every $1 of tuition.
While I agree there needs to be more government support, there are still many things the University can do to mitigate the costs.
The university's utility costs have increased 166 per cent in six years, to a forecast high of $42.5 million in 2006-07. This year's energy costs have hit $34.8 million, topping the budget estimate of $30.7 million. The university received utility relief from the provincial government last year and, along with the provine's other post-secondary institutions, is seeking rebates for this year.
If you are familiar with the campus (especially at night), you will know how wasteful the University is regards to utilities. This isn't so much a problem with the newer buildings but the older ones can sure need an upgrade. ETLC, one of the newer buildings on campus, with systems in place to automatically turn on and off lights and water taps are a good example of efficient use of utilities.
Inevitably, this tuition increase will really only hurt those who are already struggling to pay their tuition and living expenses. They will either go into more debt or require more generous bursaries to make ends meet. Where will this money come from without more government support? It can come from those who really don't need it. I know many who milk the system by misrepresenting their annual expenditures and income so that they can qualify for non-repayable bursaries (and they get quite abit!). There needs to be better systems in place to catch these people and even penalize them. As for me, I'm glad I will have dodged this tuition increase with my graduation this semester, providing there are no more
problems.
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