Political Policy Capital Projects

Expires: April 30, 2022

1 Facts

1. The University has numerous sources of revenue and should not depend solely on students to finance capital projects.
2. The University should not be spending tuition revenue on capital projects.
3. Capital projects benefit the University and serve a wide range of communities beyond undergraduate students.
4. The University of Alberta defines tuition as “the instructional costs based on classes and units of courses weight a student registers in per terms.” ^[1]
5. Student fees can be described as additional costs charged by the University of Alberta and/or University of Alberta Students’ Union that students pay for services, which are not directly related to tuition.
6. Undergraduate student-oriented components of campus space include, but are not limited to:
   1. Lecture Theatres;
   2. Classrooms;
   3. Laboratories;
   4. Maker-spaces;
   5. Studios;
   6. Recreational spaces for student use;
   7. Social spaces for student use;
   8. Space for student resources;
   9. Performance spaces; or
   10. Libraries or other study spaces.

2 Resolutions

1. The Students’ Union will advocate that tuition revenues shall not be used to fund capital projects.
2. The Students’ Union will advocate that a dedicated student fee for a capital project shall not be used to fund the construction of spaces which do not include undergraduate student-oriented components.
3. The Students’ Union will engage and consult with students over the creation, use, and termination of student fees.
4. The Students’ Union will advocate that the Students’ Union participate in defining the purpose and scope of any project where a student fee is involved.
5. The Students’ Union will advocate that all capital projects funded directly by a student fee dedicated to that project must include proportional commitments from other stakeholder groups.
6. The Students’ Union will advocate that a dedicated student fee for a capital project shall not be implemented until such a time as students have the ability to receive benefits from their contribution.
7. The Students’ Union will advocate that any capital project funded directly by a dedicated student fee shall have a governance structure that includes adequate student representation.
8. The Students’ Union will advocate that any dedicated student fee that funds a capital project shall be eliminated upon the final payment of the agreed upon student contribution.

3 References

1. ↑ Undergraduate Cost Calculator, University of Alberta Website (Retrieved Sept. 2018)