NDP softens blow of college tuition freeze
Thursday’s budget contained few surprises for universities, colleges and post-secondary students since the province delivered on its promise to freeze tuition in Alberta for a fourth consecutive year.
Provincial government coffers will soften the blow of lost revenue for universities and colleges by handing over $17 million to backfill the cost of the freeze. They’ll also continue with a promised two per cent funding increase to postsecondary institutions.
“Affordability of post-secondary education is a key priority for us,” Advanced Education Minister Marlin Schmidt told reporters Thursday.
A tuition freeze is a double-edged sword, United Conservative Party whip Ric McIver said Thursday — a relief for students, and a burden for post-secondary institutions.
Although he was happy to see the freeze continue another year, Robyn Paches, with the Council of Alberta University Students, acknowledges it will eventually end.
“Our biggest concern is predictability. We want to make sure students are able to budget for what’s coming,” said Paches, who is also vice-president of operations and finance with the University of Alberta Students’ Union.
The increase in operating funds will help the University of Alberta maintain high-quality research and teaching, provost and vicepresident academic Steven Dew said Thursday.
He couldn’t yet say if it would help the university avoid a planned four per cent cut to discretionary spending.
“We will be looking at what is possible now,” Dew said.
The government also will supply $30 million to replace a critical electrical system on the U of A campus that was in danger of failing.
The university’s district energy system supplies power and heat to campus buildings, the University of Alberta Hospital, and other public buildings nearby, Dew said.
As announced last week, the budget includes $6 million to begin creating 3,000 new post-secondary seats in technology-based programs.
Schmidt said a panel will decide how those spaces should be allotted across the province.