HALIFAX – Students in Nova Scotia are upset and worried after Thursday’s provincial budget allowed universities to have a one-time free-for-all on raising university tuition.
The budget also removes the tuition cap for out-of-province and graduate students.
Heidi Konnert is a first year law student at Dalhousie University. She is committed to her degree and said she will have to make ends meet once the hikes are announced.
“I’ll probably borrow more money. I already have student loans. That’s really all you can do,” she said.
James Kelly said he thinks universities will “strike while the irons are hot”.
“I think they’ll make it as big of an increase as they can while they can,” he said.
“I’m heading to work right now. I guess I’ll have to get a couple more shifts.”
The outrage was obvious with Aiden Ingalls, who called the province “insane”.
“It’s completely ridiculous,” he said.
“Basically there isn’t a roof. There isn’t a ceiling for tuition anymore. All the power is now in the hands of a couple individuals.”
Universities stay mum about changes
In a statement, Ian Nason, the vice president of finance and administration for Dalhousie University, said: “It is premature to speculate how these changes will affect tuition rates for the 2016-17 academic year. We remain committed to maintaining nationally competitive tuition rates that balance financial sustainability with ensuring a high-quality academic and student experience.”
Saint Mary’s University released the following statement to Global News: “Saint Mary’s is currently reviewing the budget document and evaluating how to proceed going forward.”
Representatives from Mount Saint Vincent University sent this statement to Global News: “With regards to impact on 2016/2017, that’s a discussion that we will have with Mount students, faculty and staff at a later point in keeping with our usual budget planning process. There are many complexities to be considered.”
Calls for calm and reasons to be worried
Allister Surette, chair of the Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents, said the current cap on tuition increases had previously created inequities between Nova Scotia universities.
He said the one-time market adjustment will allow universities to become more competitive with one another.
“For the same program, there could be different tuition fees from one university to the other. This will allow universities to narrow that gap if need be,” he said.
Surette, who is also president of Universite Sainte Anne, said he understands student concerns.
“From the discussions I’ve had with the other university presidents, we will all be very reasonable in this.”
However the Association of Nova Scotia University Teachers is worried the changes from the budget could have prospective students thinking twice.
“I think it’s certainly going to be a big factor in young people’s decision to come to this province to study,” he said.
“I would hope university administrators would not rush to take advantage of these new possibilities they’ve been given and they understand how fragile the situation really is.”
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