Facing a multi-million dollar reduction in the university鈥檚 provincial operating grant, AV俱乐部鈥檚 Board of Governors voted Tuesday to increase tuition fees across most programs, while asking for more time to review a proposal for more significant increases in medicine, law and dentistry.
Most programs will see a three per cent increase next year, the maximum allowed by the provincial government. The differential fee paid by international students will also increase, but by 10 per cent. The seven per cent of that increase beyond the basic three per cent is specifically allotted for improvements to international student services and support on campus. (Though approved by the board, that seven per cent must also be approved by the Minister of Labour and Advanced Education.)
The university has also proposed larger increases in professional programs where the government cap does not apply: six per cent in law, 10 per cent in medicine and 14 per cent in dentistry. However, after feedback from board members and student leaders requesting more detail and time to consider the motion, the university agreed to briefly hold off on the vote. The executive committee of the board is expected to vote to confirm those increases within the next two weeks.
Maintaining quality
Ken Burt, AV俱乐部 vice-president finance and administration, explains the increases are necessary to maintain the quality of education at AV俱乐部 and the competitiveness of the university鈥檚 programs in the face of government cutbacks.
鈥淓ven with increased tuition fees, we still have big cuts to make in the university budget,鈥� he says, adding that the $3.6 million in projected revenue from the increased fees鈥攑rovided the professional program increases are approved鈥攕till falls far short of the $7 million cut from the provincial operating grant and is not enough to offset rising costs.
鈥淚t鈥檚 vital for us to maintain the quality of our education and our services to students in a time of cutbacks and budget reductions. Raising tuition fees is crucial to ensuring we can continue to deliver our university鈥檚 mission to the best of our abilities under the circumstances.鈥�
International student services
At the meeting, President Tom Traves explained how the university鈥檚 welcome increase in international students鈥攗p almost 50 per cent in the past five years鈥攔equires more on-campus services than are currently offered and that provincial funding alone is not sufficient to meet that demand. A few of the proposed uses for the fee increase include new staff for the International Student Services office; new orientation programs; and a 鈥淧athways program鈥� helping students seeking stronger English language skills.
Before the meeting, approximately 25 international students gathered outside the Henry Hicks building to protest the 10 per cent increase to the differential fee. Many also attended the board meeting itself as student members of the board shared concerns about the consultation that went into the proposal and whether the increase was truly necessary.
鈥淲e understand the concerns that come with any increased fee,鈥� explained Dr. Traves. 鈥淗owever, we鈥檙e strongly committed to significantly increasing our support and services to international students, because we believe they require those services to succeed.鈥�
Mr. Burt adds that AV俱乐部鈥檚 differential fee is extremely competitive when compared to other Canadian universities, where it can often reach upwards of $10-15,000.
Sustaining professional programs
As for the proposed increases to medicine, law and dentistry, Mr. Burt explains that the Board of Governors has standard guidelines for considering tuition increases in specific programs. The factors taken into account include:
- the relative cost of the program
- the earning prospects of graduates
- fees for similar programs at other Canadian universities
- student demand for admittance
- the availability of financial assistance and support for students
It鈥檚 on these grounds that the university is proposing increases for law, dentistry and medicine. Each of these programs actually saw a net decrease in their tuition rates over the past five years as a result of improved provincial funding鈥攁 rarity in Canada, as similar programs across the country saw net tuition increases of upwards of 30 to 40 per cent. While not insignificant, the proposed increases avoid those more extreme adjustments while keeping tuition in all three programs below the national average.
鈥淚f you look at dentistry鈥攖he largest increase at 14 per cent鈥攚e don鈥檛 even move to the middle of the pack,鈥� explains Mr. Burt. 鈥淧resently we鈥檙e ranked seventh of eight in terms of basic tuition, and even with the increase, we only move to fifth 鈥� well behind programs at schools such as Saskatchewan, Western, Toronto and Memorial.鈥�
The provincial bursary program that Mr. Burt speaks of, which provides extra funding to both students from Nova Scotia as well as other Canadian students, remains in effect in 2011/12. Students from Nova Scotia who attend AV俱乐部 will receive a bursary of $1,283 next year, while other Canadian students will receive $261.
In addition, the Board voted Tuesday to increase the facilities renewal fee paid by students by $30, to support the continued upkeep and maintenance of the physical campus, particularly classroom and research space. Increases were also passed for residence (three per cent) and food services (2.4 per cent), as well as small increases to the Student Services fee and U-Pass fees totaling $9.70 a year per full-time undergraduate student.
Rough financial seas ahead
Mr. Burt says both the tuition increases and the pending budget cuts are not as bad as they could have been; expecting a challenging year due to suspected cutbacks, the university began to prepare by minimizing new hires and leveraging term position employees. Still, he cautions that both the forthcoming budget鈥攁nd likely next year鈥檚 as well鈥攚ill present tough scenarios for the university community.
鈥淚t鈥檚 that 鈥榩erfect storm鈥� situation. We鈥檙e in it now, and we have to all work together to find our way out of it.鈥�