U of S students getting more say on tuition rates

The association representing University of Saskatchewan undergraduates says it looks forward to students having a bigger say in how the institution sets tuition next year.

The university’s board of governors said Wednesday that it plans to establish tuition rates for the 2018-19 academic year in March rather than December to allow “for more meaningful consultation with students.”

“This gives a good six-month period where upper administration has signed on to consulting, and that’s really, really important,” said University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union (USSU) vicepresident Deena Kapacila.

The deferral will also give the USSU, which represents around 17,000 students, more time and information when setting fees for the next academic year, Kapacila added.

At the same time, there are concerns that the cash-strapped university may be waiting for the next provincial budget before making significant financial decisions, she said.

The Saskatchewan Party government’s 2017-18 budget stripped $18 million from the university’s $312 million operating grant, and the university is not forecasting an increase in the 2018-19 fiscal year.

U of S administrators responded by slashing $12.2 million from academic programs and services, and offering voluntary buyouts to some unionized employees.

Tuition accounted for about $125 million, or 26 per cent, of the university’s $483 million revenues last year.

Tony Vanelli, the university’s newly appointed provost, said while the concerns are understandable given the timing, the university wants only to improve a model that previously allowed for “very limited discussion” with students.

Students “can and they will” have a stronger voice in the discussions, and may favour increased tuition rates if the university demonstrates the value it adds to their education, Vanelli added.

“We just wanted to have a fuller discussion, especially because of the impact tuition has on students and certainly has on the university units that support their programs.”

The board approved this year’s tuition in December 2016. A typical student in the College of Arts and Science, which accounts for about half of all undergraduates, now pays $6,102 per year, plus $835 in fees.

The 11-member board, which has recently been criticized for a lack of transparency, said it bases tuition decisions on comparability to similar programs at similar universities, as well as accessibility, affordability and the quality of the programs it offers.

This gives a good six-month period where upper administration has signed on to consulting, and that’s really, really important.