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Almost half the students at Okanagan College will see their tuition remain steady for the next year.
On Tuesday, the Board of Governors decided to freeze those tuition fees that are more than 10 per cent above the provincial average for similar programs. Tuition fees that are less than that will be increased.
That means approximately 50 per cent of students won’t be paying increased tuition fees next year.
“We’ve heard a well-articulated concern from students that our tuition should be comparable to similar schools in the province,” explains Board of Governors Chair Lance Kayfish. “This decision, along with last year’s decision to freeze all tuition fees, continues to move Okanagan College in that direction.”
Colleges have been bound by a provincial policy that limits tuition increases to the rate of inflation for each year. Okanagan College has only once raised its fees in the past five years. Indications are that the provincial policy will again limit increases to two per cent for 2010-11.
Every public post-secondary institution in the province other than Okanagan College increased its fees last year.
Domestic students in Adult Basic Education, Adult Special Education and English as a Second Language courses pay no tuition – they account for approximately 20 per cent of the students at Okanagan College.
Among those whose tuition will remain the same in the 2010-11 academic year are students enrolled in courses in university arts and science and business administration.
Many students in trades, engineering technology and health programs will face an increase in the coming year as a result of the Board’s decision.
“This was a broad principle discussion and decision. We will be finalizing the list of actual programs that will and won’t be affected in the next weeks and that information will be reflected in our calendar and on our website,” explains Bob Eby, Okanagan College’s Vice President Finance and Administration.
Tags: college, okanagan, tuition increase
