Students are paying more for less

ST. JOHN’S— At a time when students flock back to post-secondary institutions, feelings of anticipation and promise are being met with the realities of an uncertain future in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Over recent years we have seen a 30% increase in tuition at Memorial University for graduate students, out of province, and international undergraduate students, alongside a projected 73% increase in tuition for medicine students” said Sofia Descalzi, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students – Newfoundland and Labrador. “Students are paying the more fees but continue to lose necessary services like campus patrol officers; programs like the Math Help Centre; and still must learn in amid asbestos-ridden infrastructures.”

Students, especially those who are not considered ‘in province residents,’ are being forced to pay more for less. “However, we fail to see how our increasing financial burden is intended to cure all that ails Memorial University when jobs and services are continuing to being cut” added Descalzi.

“Furthermore, as a province we cannot afford to lose enrollment over differential fees for out of province students, and international students who will be paying 4.5 times more than Newfoundlanders and Labradorians” continued Descalzi. “Despite the need for youth retention, our governments continue to allow administrators to raise post-secondary tuition as a band-aid solution for our many fiscal deficits and students are paying the price”

The Canadian Federation of Students — Newfoundland and Labrador represents every public post-secondary student in the province.

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For further information please contact:
Sofia Descalzi- Newfoundland and Labrador Chairperson
709.325.0264

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