THUNDER BAY – Leadership at Lakehead University and Confederation College are taking a cautionary approach to the Ontario government’s plan to reduce post-secondary tuition in the province by 10 per cent, starting next fall.
The province has also ended the previous Liberal government’s free tuition program to students from low-income families.
The schools, in separate releases issued on Thursday, said the move will present challenges to northern universities and colleges, but both praised the fact core operating grants will be maintained and a special northern fund created the acknowledges the unique needs of education in more remote parts of Ontario.
Lakehead University officials said they support the decision to cut tuition costs as it will increase access to post-secondary education for students.
“The delivery of quality education for our students remains Lakehead University’s top priority. This includes protecting the supports and services that our increasingly-diverse student population relies on,” said the statement, which was attributed to the university.
“Northern Universities play an important role in Ontario's economy, and Lakehead recognizes the contributions it makes to the social and economic fabric of the regions it serves.”
The university’s leadership is happy that the province has committed to maintain current grant funding levels and promised to create a fund to help northern universities impacted by the planned 10 per cent tuition decrease.
The college is taking a wait-and-see approach.
"We look forward to learning more about the measures announced today and collaborating with the government to explore new opportunities to modernize college education, ensuring more people have access to the education and skills needed to meet the needs of employers in our region," reads the college's release.
Announced on Thursday by Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities Merrilee Fullerton said the move was made to put more money in the pockets of students and families, while providing more access to education.
"We believe that if you've got the grades, you deserve access to an affordable post-secondary education," said Fullerton in a release.
"By lowering tuition across the entire province, our government is ensuring that all qualified Ontario students will have more affordable access to high quality skills, training and education."
Fullerton said the province will be making changes to the way the Ontario Student Assistance Program to provide it to those who need it most and also announced the Student Choice initiative, which would allow each student to opt out of some student fees and allow them the decide where that money is spent.
Essential campus health and safety initiative fees will still be mandatory.
“Student fees in Ontario can range as high as $2000 per year and, too often, force students to pay for services they do not use and organizations they do not support," said Fullerton. "We will ensure students have transparency and freedom of choice regarding the campus services and organizations which get access to their money."
Fullerton did not say what the Northern institution fund would cost and also did not say which schools would qualify for the fund, put in place to help them adjust to the tuition-rate reduction.
