April 7, 2010 Universities receive approval to address market anomalies One-time tuition fee adjustments will help balance affordability and quality Edmonton... One-time tuition fee adjustments for six professional programs will help Alberta’s two biggest universities maintain quality without compromising affordability for students. Minister of Advanced Education and Technology, Doug Horner approved the adjustments to address market anomalies that existed when tuition fees were capped in 2004. The increases will not apply to students who are currently in these programs or making plans for this coming fall. They will be implemented for new students starting in fall 2011. “These adjustments will ensure the continued quality of these programs,” said Horner. “Students have indicated their support and I understand that some are working with their universities to see a percentage of the new revenue reinvested into student supports, like scholarships and bursaries.” A total of 24 proposals were received from five institutions. The six accepted proposals are for Engineering, Pharmacy, Bachelor of Commerce and Graduate Studies programs at the University of Alberta and Bachelor of Commerce and Masters of Business Administration programs at the University of Calgary. Increases of between $800 and $3,300 per year were approved based on an anomaly existing in 2004, support from student associations, and keeping costs comparable to other programs in Canada. “These have not been easy decisions to make. You have to look at the proposals on a case-by-case basis,” said Horner. “In the end, what it really comes down to is finding the right balance between affordability and quality. The six proposals I have accepted find that balance.” Institutions requested the opportunity to submit proposals to deal with market anomalies that may have been in place when tuitions were capped in 2004. The Minister agreed to a one-time opportunity to make corrections. Additional proposals will not be accepted. Alberta’s tuition fee policy will limit future increases to the consumer price index. This year’s maximum average tuition increase is 1.5 per cent. -30- Backgrounder: Overviews of approved and rejected tuition fee adjustments Media inquiries may be directed to: Kim Capstick Director Communications Advanced Education and Technology 780-422-1562 To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000. April 7, 2010 Overview of approved tuition fee adjustments University of Alberta Bachelor of Commerce Current tuition: $5,180 Adjusted tuition: $7,220 Engineering Current tuition: $5,766 Adjusted tuition: $6,650 Graduate Studies Current tuition: $2,729 Adjusted tuition: $3,562 Pharmacy Current tuition: $5,177 Adjusted tuition: $8,552 University of Calgary Bachelor of Commerce Current tuition: $5,238 Adjusted tuition: $7,220 Masters of Business Administration Current tuition: $11,149 Adjusted tuition: $14,270 -30- Media inquiries may be directed to: Kim Capstick Director Communications Advanced Education and Technology 780-422-1562 April 7, 2010 Overview of rejected tuition fee adjustments Bow Valley College Licensed Practical Nurse Diploma Early Learning and Childcare Diploma Olds College Heavy Equipment Operator University of Lethbridge Across the board increase University of Calgary Law BSc Engineering Medicine Education Master of Education Master of Education (Applied Psychology) Master of Engineering University of Alberta Law Medicine Dentistry Bachelor of Design BA Economics BSc Nutrition BSc Geophysics/Geology -30- Media inquiries may be directed to: Kim Capstick Director Communications Advanced Education and Technology 780-422-1562 To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000. Alberta Government | Newsroom | Ministries Listing | Advanced Education and Technology Home Page | News Releases | Top of Page | Send us your comments or questions Copyright(©) 2010 Government of Alberta .