Federation of Students representatives met today with Bruce Mitchell and Bob Truman (this group is collectively know as the Provost's Advisory Committee on Student Fees) to discuss proposed changes to student fees that are going to the Board of Governors for approval on April 6.

Tuition Fees

This was naturally the major topic of discussion. Although the McGuinty government has repeatedly stated its commitment to freezing tuition (regulated and deregulated) it “has not yet legislated a freeze nor provided details,” as UW’s 2004-2005 operating budget states. The operating budget has been prepared with domestic tuition rates held at previous levels, but there are contingency plans if the freeze fails to materialize. This is a major problem for UW as its tuition levels are set in May and not

That being said, there is a motion going to Board to approve notional tuition fee increases for 2004-2005. According to the agenda:

“Notwithstanding the expected implementation of a tuition freeze, it is important to continue to establish annual fee increases, consistent with the Board of Governors tuition fee policy and the most recent government requirements.”

Essentially, this is a symbolic increase (1.6% in regulated UG programs, 15% in deregulated UG programs) that students will not be expected to pay. The stated intention of this measure is to demonstrate to university stakeholders and the provincial government of the growing revenue gap that a tuition freeze will create (unless it is fully funded).

International students and students enrolled in full cost-recovery programs will continue to see real tuition increases.

Ancillary Fees

The co-op fee is increasing by $20. The new base fee is $420 plus the $25 capital fee for the Tatham Centre. The fee has not been raised in a number of years, and Bruce Mitchell indicated that labour costs were a major reason for the increase. The comprehensive review of co-op began this afternoon, so there will be much more on this issue in the months to come.

The Cancopy fee is increasing by 76 per cent to $1.65 per term for full-time UG students.

The Federation of Students will issue its position on the notional tuition increases in the coming days and will present it to the Board of Governors at the April 6 meeting.