This space is provided free to AUSU: The Voice does not create or edit this content. Contact services@ausu.org with any questions. IMPORTANT DATES
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- Jan 30: Deadline to apply for course extension for Mar
- Feb 10: Deadline to register in a course starting Feb 1
- Feb 11: AUSUnights Virtual Student Social
- Feb 15: Mar degree requirements deadline
- Feb 17: AUSU Public Council Meeting
- Feb 28: Deadline to apply for course extension for Apr
AUSU Tuition Increase Press Release
Athabasca University students will have to dig deeper to pay for tuition starting in September 2021 with the Board of Governors approving a 5% tuition increase for all students, including out-of-province and international students. This increase comes on the heels of dramatic operating funding cuts from the Government of Alberta since 2018, along with increased costs from investments in digital infrastructure.
“Students are disappointed that in the face of a global pandemic, Athabasca University is turning to tuition hikes to balance the books for this coming year,” said Athabasca University Students’ Union (AUSU) President and Athabasca University Board of Governors member Stacey Hutchings. “We were relieved and want to acknowledge that Athabasca University is one of the only institutions to not seek the maximum possible increase, but any increase will be difficult for many students.”
The Government of Alberta changed the rules starting last year, allowing Alberta universities and colleges to increase tuition by up to 7% each year for three years following a tuition freeze. Tuition increases were brought in to decrease the reliance of institutions on government funding. Athabasca University is already the least reliant university in Alberta on government funding, thanks to enrolment increases and an efficient distance education model.
“We asked students at the beginning of the month how much of an impact a 7% tuition increase would have on their studies, and 97% of students said it would have an impact, with 87% of those saying it would have a significant impact,” said AUSU Vice President External and Student Affairs Natalia Iwanek. “It is going to have an especially large impact on students outside of Alberta like myself, who already pay substantially more tuition for a course than Alberta residents.”
“At the end of the day, tuition increases are a direct result of government underfunding, which is acute here at Athabasca University when we receive less funding per student than other institutions,” concluded Hutchings. “We hope that in the midst of their Alberta 2030 review of the post-secondary system, the Government of Alberta realizes Athabasca University and AU students are a great investment for public dollars.”
Media Contact:
Stacey Hutchings
AUSU President
president@ausu.org
Read AUSU’s full press release here.
The AU Students Union has been advocating against the need to increase tuition at AU, especially in the midst of a global pandemic. AUSU has also advocated to the Government of Alberta to take another look at budgetary decisions that led to the increases and will be engaging in ongoing advocacy on this topic.
Read more about AUSU’s advocacy here.
AUSU 2021 Contest – Enter to Win $250!
AUSU is giving away $10,000 in prizes to AU students to help ring in the new year! We want to hear from AU students about what inspires them while studying at Athabasca University.
Enter to win one of 40 Amazon Gift Cards worth $250 each.
How to Enter the Contest:
1. Post a picture, story, quote, and/or comment about what inspires you while studying at Athabasca University to Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
2. Tag @AUStudentsUnion in your post.
3. Be automatically entered to win a $250 Amazon gift card (40 available)!
Deadline to Enter: February 10, 2021
Must be a current AU undergraduate student to qualify. Students who enter the contest agree to allow AUSU and AU to reshare their post on AUSU social media platforms. Winners will be selected by random draw after the contest closes.