A brief history of Tuition in Alberta

The Alberta Public Post-Secondary Tuition Regulation was passed in 2006 by the Government of Alberta;

This was done in consultation with Students and Institutions, the result being an agreement to cap tuition increases to the Alberta Consumer Price Index increase percentage annually. This provided a stable means for the institutions to set budgets, as well as allowed them room to grow as costs increased. In addition to that, this tuition cap protected students from needless and unreasonable raises to their tuition.

Another agreement made in the policy was students associations were to be consulted about tuition increases, but the Board of Governors of the institution had ultimate power in setting the cost of tuition. Recently, as the economy slowed down, a few institutions in an attempt to raise funds lost in due to “budget shortfalls” looked to the government to grant them exemptions from the tuition fee regulation. The Government of Alberta, most specifically Minister of Advanced Education and Technology Doug Horner, has committed to maintaining the cap, despite attempts by NAIT to institute “across the board” increases to tuition.

The University of Alberta has also lobbied to gain one time exemptions for professional programs which they view as market anomalies; Anomalies meaning they are too cheap. The government has said they will hear out these “business cases” and if they are valid they will grant them. In consultation with student groups, the government has asked what the Alberta Student Executive Council (The provincial student lobby group that SARDC belongs to) believes, and we have said any sort of modification in that respect stands to be very dangerous for Alberta and its present and future students.

This process has been worryingly opaque and rushed, leaving all stakeholders with more questions than answers. We as students deserve to not only have this cap maintained, but to see our institutions held more fiscally accountable, especially around alls fees charge to students.

Red Deer College is fortunate enough to have an administration which is not looking at these market anomaly increases, unlike NAIT or the U of A. With the economic situation as it is, it is a rough time for everyone, especially students, and putting greater financial burden on students is a dangerous proposition.

What can you do? Firstly be thankful that RDC is not looking at these sorts of increases, and secondly you can write to the government, our MLA Cal Dallas, Minister of Advanced Education Doug Horner, or even the Premier Ed Stelmach,

Like always if you have any questions give a shout at 403-342-3200 or email me at steven.kwasny@rdc.ab.ca

Steven Kwasny