The Students’ Union is encouraging all students to write the provincial government to take action and embark on a regulatory framework to constrain the rise of compulsory fees.
In a recent Gauntlet article I discussed the current Statistics Canada report on average tuition and compulsory fees in Canada. In it, Alberta received the distinction of having the highest compulsory fees in the country. The SU is calling on the Ministry of Advanced Education and Technology to immediately embark on a regulatory framework to constrain the rise of compulsory fees. Make your voice heard (easily).
Make use of the letter below, or craft your own, and let the minister know you expect the province of Alberta to take action to ensure that compulsory fees don’t contribute to an inaccessible public education system. Contact Minister Doug Horner at: sprucegrovesturgeon.stalbert@assembly.ab.ca
Charlotte Kingston
SU President
Feel free to use this example letter to Minister Horner.
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Dear Minister Horner,
According to a Statistics Canada report published in October 19th, 2009, Alberta students are not only paying the third highest tuition in the country, but are also burdened by the highest compulsory fees.
Alberta university students saw a dramatic 31.1 per cent increase in compulsory fees from last year, giving Alberta the distinction of having the highest compulsory fees in the country. Alberta undergraduates are paying approximately $935 compared to the national average of $749.
Without a regulatory framework around compulsory fees, Alberta institutions have been able to grow compulsory fees to an unreasonable level. These fees serve to undermine all the work Albertans and your department have done to work toward affordability in our post secondary system. As a University of Calgary Student I need your department to take action to implement a regulatory framework around compulsory fees, and to stand up for the affordability framework that your government has put in place.
While students recognize the difficult situation our institutions are in, in light of a 0% base operating increase, there is no question that Alberta’s future depends on a highly educated workforce. If the problem of compulsory fees continues to grow the system will become inaccessible in spite of other efforts.
I am committed to an affordable system where all Albertans have access to education without overwhelming financial obstacles and prohibitive levels of debt.
I urge this government to take immediate action to implement a compulsory fee regulatory framework which would mitigate the danger of these soaring costs.
Sincerely,
