New tuition policy over 600 days delayed

VP External Dave Cournoyer speaks to the media during the launch of the Students' Union's tuition policy counter.

Students' Union asks "how long does it take?"

(Edmonton, AB) - Students know all about deadlines. Advanced Education Minister Denis Herard, however, could use a refresher course.

Herard has announced several deadlines for the unveiling of Alberta's new tuition policy, and has missed all of them. As of Oct. 16, the Students' Union began counting how many days it takes to produce a tuition policy through a large day counter posted inside the Students' Union Building.

"We've heard the Minister tell us repeatedly that a tuition policy would be forthcoming as far back as May of 2006 and still we are waiting for this policy -- the policy the Premier said would give Albertans the most affordable advanced education in the country," said David Cournoyer, Students' Union Vice President (External).

In February of 2005, Premier Ralph Klein promised Albertans the most affordable tuition policy in the country and said it would be in place by the time students returned to school in 2006.

"It seems ludicrous that we are still waiting for the official announcement given that the Minister basically told us back in May what the policy would be. He told us that tuition would probably rise with the Alberta Consumer Price Index, which certainly won't make Alberta the most affordable province to get an education," added Cournoyer.

What's more, since the rules governing tuition were removed from the Post-Secondary Learning Act back in May with Bill 40, students are deeply concerned because there are effectively no rules whatsoever limiting tuition.

"We need the rules declared now," demanded Cournoyer.

For more information, please contact:

David Cournoyer
Vice President (External)
University of Alberta Students' Union
P: 780.492.4236
E: vp.external@su.ualberta.ca
W: www.su.ualberta.ca