Political Policy Mandatory Non-Instructional Fees

Expires: April 30, 2023

1 Facts

1. The University of Alberta is a public postsecondary institution that receives income from government grants, tuition, fees, ancillary services, donations, and sponsorships.
2. The University of Alberta is committed to the responsible management of its financial resources, including, but not limited to, the following mandatory non-instructional fees:
   1. Student Health and Wellness
   2. Student Academic Support
   3. PAW Centre Fee
   4. U-Pass
   5. Athletics and Recreation
3. The Students’ Union is committed to the responsible management of its financial resources, including, but not limited to, the following mandatory non-instructional fees:
   1. Students’ Union Membership Fees
   2. Students’ Union Dedicated Fees
   3. Students’ Union Health Plan
   4. Students’ Union Dental Plan
4. A high and unpredictable cost of education is a barrier for students to attain an undergraduate post-secondary education.
5. In 2018, Section 61 of the PostSecondary Learning Act was amended to include the regulation of mandatory non-instructional fees of public post-secondary institutions.
   1. All future University of Alberta mandatory non-instructional fees must be non-profit, meaning the cost of the fee must be equal to or less than the cost required to provide the good or service.
   2. All University of Alberta mandatory non-instructional fees must be approved by the Students’ Council in order for the fee to be eligible.
6. The general cost of a University of Alberta post- secondary education consists of:
   1. Academic costs, which includes books and tuition;
   2. Mandatory non-instructional fees, which includes, but is not limited to, Students’ Union fees, recreational fees, public transportation fees, and Faculty Association Membership fees, and;
   3. Residence costs, which can include Residence Association Fees.
7. Currently per year, mandatory non-instructional fees constitute approximately 10% of the general cost of a University of Alberta undergraduate post-secondary education^[1].
8. Students are in favour of reasonable fees that have quality value propositions and provide effective goods and services.

2 Resolutions

1. The Students’ Union will advocate for a predictable cost of post-secondary education that can be reasonably anticipated annually.
2. The Students’ Union will advocate strongly for an affordable cost of postsecondary education for all current and incoming students.
   1. The Students’ Union will further advocate for an attainable cost of post-secondary education for students facing financial or cultural barriers.
3. The Students’ Union will advocate to the Government of Alberta for the continuous regulation of all mandatory non-instructional fees.
   1. The Students’ Union will advocate that the Government of Alberta maintain the adopted policies amended in the Post-Secondary Learning Act in 2018, which defends the student-approval mechanism and authorizes the student-veto power concerning the increases of existing mandatory non-instructional fees and all new proposed mandatory non-instructional fees.
   2. The Students’ Union will advocate that the Government of Alberta provide a framework that clearly defines which fees are non-instructional and therefore, outside the framework established in the Public Post-Secondary Tuition Fees Regulation.
4. The Students’ Union will advocate for the essential nature of the goods and services that are financed and actualized by mandatory non-instructional fees, which have a significant impact on students and quality of campus life.
5. The Students’ Union will advocate for transparency, accountability, and communication regarding the spending of, and services included in, all mandatory non-instructional fees
   1. The Students’ Union will advocate for the publication of the “Mandatory Non-Instructional Fees Annual Report” on the University of Alberta website.
6. The Students’ Union will thoroughly consider any new mandatory non-instructional fees as well as changes to existing fees as proposed by the University of Alberta.
7. Students’ Council may vote in affirmation for the implementation of a new, or modification of an existing, mandatory non-instructional fee from a party if the following conditions are met:
   1. The requesting party completes adequate student consultation;
   2. The requesting party expresses their support by writing a statement of intent that explains the merit of the implementation, or modification of the mandatory non-instructional fee, and;
   3. Students’ Council deems the implementation or modification of the mandatory non-instructional fees brought by the requesting party beneficial to the public good of the undergraduate student population at the University of Alberta.
8. The Students' Union will advocate that students maintain representation on any body directing the general affairs and mandate of services that are funded by mandatory non-instructional fees.
9. The Students’ Union will advocate for a process that allows students to provide meaningful input for the services mandatory non-instructional fees pay.
10. The Students’ Union will advocate that mandatory non-instructional fees be used to provide and offer services that benefit and reflect the diverse student body.

1. ↑ This percentage was calculated by dividing the total current cost of mandatory non-instructional fees by the estimated cost of any undergraduate degree using the University of Alberta Undergraduate Cost Calculator. The current cost of mandatory non-instructional fees is accessible through this link: https://www.ualberta.ca/registrar/costs-tuition-fees/noninstructional-fees The University of Alberta Undergraduate Cost Calculator is accessible through this link: https://costcalculator.registrar.ualberta.ca/costcalculator/