Graduate students protest tuition hikes at University of Calgary

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Dozens of graduate students are frustrated over possible tuition increases.

The University of Calgary Graduate Students’ Association held a protest Friday morning as the school’s Board of Governors were meeting.

Last month, Provost and Vice President Academic, Dr. Dru Marshall, presented a proposal for a tuition increase of five per cent for all continuing students.

In a letter sent to the board, the Students’ Association said ” Graduate students at the University of Calgary strongly oppose this tuition increase proposal and any proposal that will increase tuition for all continuing students at a rate higher than the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Graduate students do not believe that the tuition increase proposal, as presented, is in the best interest of the university.”

Letter to UCalgary BOG - press release

The letter goes on to say current students have already made sacrifices to be able to pay for their degrees.

It references the increased demand at the SU Campus Food Bank. The Graduate Students’ Association said in 2019 graduate students accounted for 80 per cent of the Food Bank’s clients, compared to 65 per cent in 2018.

"Hey hey, ho ho, tuition hikes have got to go." Students are chanting, "Education is a right, not just for the rich and white." They break out in cheers every so often, but then settle down as this is billed as being a non-disruptive silent protest. #yyc #Calgary @660NEWS pic.twitter.com/kmqaFQHLgM

— Saif Kaisar (@StaySaif) December 13, 2019

Speaking after the protest, Provost Dru Marshall said the school is trying to recoup money as a result of budget cuts but won’t do so off the backs of students.

“We definitely have heard our students and some of their concerns, many of them are very concerned about making ends meet. One of the things that we’ve looked at, with any proposed tuition increase, we would also increase financial aid.”

A meeting to discuss the potential tuition increases is set for Jan. 10, 2020.

Graduate students are asking administration to consider an increase of no more than two per cent and increase financial support for students.

The five per cent tuition hike would affect costs for domestic students while international students could be paying up to ten per cent more.