March 28, 2018

Winnipeg, MB – The University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) firmly opposes the University of Manitoba’s intent to increase tuition by 6.6 per cent in the 2018-2019 academic year. With Bill 31 having been passed by the provincial government in 2017, post-secondary institutions in Manitoba can now raise tuition annually by 5 per cent plus the Consumer Price Index (CPI, which is currently 1.6 per cent). The provincial budget for 2018-2019 has reduced the U of M’s operating grant by 0.9 per cent, which has effectively compelled the University to raise tuition fees in order to maintain existing quality of education and services—forcing students to fill the new funding void.

Rising tuition comes as a grim second blow to International Students at the U of M, following the provincial government’s decision yesterday to repeal their basic healthcare coverage effective September 2018. This news is particularly devastating after already seeing International Student tuition increase 10-18% in 2015.

“This past year alone, we have seen consistent failings from the government to support students,” says Tanjit Nagra, UMSU President. “Moving forward, we will be looking for ways that we can save students money. I want to assure students that the UMSU Executive will be encouraging the U of M to cover the costs that international students will incur for basic health coverage in the 2018-2019 academic year, and we will strongly stand against further tuition increases for both Domestic and International Students.”

The UMSU Executives will vote against the 6.6 per cent increase in tuition for the 2018-2019 school year at the U of M Board of Governors. Although UMSU is pleased to see an extended tuition payment deadline starting Fall 2018, UMSU is calling on the University Administration and the U of M’s Faculty Association (UMFA) to work together on initiatives to keep our students’ education affordable and accessible by implementing Open Educational Resources and utilizing course packs to decrease textbook costs. UMSU will continue to seek ways to help offset rising educational costs for students.

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The University of Manitoba Students’ Union is the official representative of the over 25,000 undergraduate students at the University of Manitoba.

For media information, please contact:

Tanjit Nagra

President

University of Manitoba Students’ Union

Phone: 204-474-6519

Email: pres@umsu.ca