MHC Board of Governors proposing tuition fee increase

The recommendation is a seven per cent increase to tuition fees, and a 10 per cent increase to mandatory fees, which include items related to student services.

In October’s provincial budget, the tuition freeze, which was put in place by the previous NDP government in 2015, was lifted.

Starting in the 2020-2021 school year, post-secondary institutions are able to increase tuition a maximum of seven per cent each year, for a maximum of 21 percent by 2023.

Several post-secondary institutions, including the University of Calgary and Grant MacEwan University, have already announced tuition hikes.

In addition, provincial changes to grants for post-secondary grants, such as Campus Alberta, has prompted institutions to look at ways to replace lost revenue.

“(The) government is going to be looking at Campus Alberta grants, and they’re taking the cap off tuition as a lever that we can pull to maintain our budgets,” said Shufflebotham. “They’ve told us that we are allowed to increase our tuition seven ,seven and seven over the next three years.”

Shufflebotham says tuition decisions will be made yearly by the Board of Governors.

The meeting takes place at 6:30 p.m. at the college.

Sandy Henderson, dean of student services at the college, says there will be supports at the college to assist students in the school year this fall.

“I’m sure an increase will impact students, but we’re committed to looking at other ways to keep costs affordable for students. We recognize it’s a big investment, and we’ll be consulting with them to make sure that we have ways to make life great for them at the college.”

Added Shufflebotham, “Any decision we make at Medicine Hat College, the student is at the core, and we do not make a decision without thinking about them.”

Advanced education minister concerned over spending

The college was also one of the 21 post-secondary institutions to receive a letter from the Minister of Advanced Education this week, saying he’s concerned about spending.

In the letter, Minister Demetrios Nicolaides says universities and colleges need to exercise financial restraint to get the province’s spending under control.

Nicolaides is requesting post-secondary institutions freeze spending on non-essential items, such as travel, hosting and hiring and defer all other expenditures until after April 1, 2020 whenever possible.

Shufflebotham says he believes the college is doing a good job of managing its finances.

“When we’re looking at our numbers, our expenses to what we plan on spending is running right on track,” he said.

Nicolaides’ letter is also advising colleges to provide an interim financial statement to his department by April 15. He is also requesting institutions provide monthly reports on actual spending “to ensure we remain on track.”

Shufflebotham says the college already submits regular reports to the province with regards to its expenses, and will continue to do so.

by Charles Lefebvre

MHC Board of Governors proposing tuition fee increase

Our Community