UBC’s Board of Governors (BoG) met today to discuss the Multi-Year Tuition Framework and pass the annual tuition increase.
Here’s what you might have missed.
Board approves tuition increase
BoG voted to increase tuition by two per cent for domestic students, three per cent for returning international students and five per cent for incoming international students, consistent with similar adjustments in previous years.
Following a student’s first year of entry, there will be a maximum three per cent increase per year for the subsequent four years.
For international students, tuition increases will be capped at a maximum of three per cent annually for the four years following their first year of entry under the BoG’s Multi-Year Tuition Framework.
Provost Gage Averill described these increases as “reasonable” and aligned with historical trends, noting that the two-year average consumer price index stands at three per cent for the 2023/24 academic year.
Averill also noted incoming cost pressures for the 2025/26, surrounding projecting enrollment declines. This decline is predicted to result in an approximate $20 million decrease in tuition revenue compared to last year.
Amidst the rising costs for students, Averill emphasized UBC’s financial support for students as among the “best in the country,” with the university within the top three institutions in Canada with regards to providing student aid. VP Finance Frank Laezza noted that UBC spends approximately $150 million on student related financial aid.
During the discussion, governors expressed both support and concern for the increasing tuition.
Governor Leonard Schein opened the conversation by voicing concerns about the proposed tuition increase for domestic students, emphasizing the challenges posed by the rising cost of living.
"I think it would send a strong message to our domestic students if we said, 'We’re freezing tuition this year,'" Schein remarked. He said that this recommendation reflects the feedback he has heard from the student union.
Student Governor Eshana Bhangu called the BoG’s financial support for the recommendations from the Student Affordability Task Force “underwhelming.”
She said there needs to be more meaningful steps taken by the university to address the affordability crisis many vulnerable students face. Relative to the university’s over 2 billion dollar budget, she said the $150 million figure cited by Laezza should be put in perspective.
“Of course, I will be voting against the tuition increase,” she said.
Although Governor Anthonia Ogundele has voted against the increase in tuition in previous years, she said she will be voting for the increase this year.
She explained that the university faces unique cost pressures this year, as highlighted by Averill, including a projected decline in international student enrollment. Ogundele emphasized that failing to raise tuition to address these financial challenges could jeopardize the university’s ability to fulfill its academic mission and adequately support students.
President Benoit-Antoine Bacon closed the discussion by acknowledging the diverse opinions on the board. As a case study, he cited the risks of “sub inflationary decreases” — where tuition reductions outpace inflation — leading to chronic underfunding, as seen in Quebec's education system.
Bacon further noted that domestic tuition has remained relatively low for an extended period and reiterated that the return on investment and the value students receive from tuition at UBC is "unmatched" in Canada.
The motion passed with four votes against.
Board approves amended Neighbours Agreement 2024
As a final item on the agenda, the board heard a presentation by Associate Vice-President, Campus and Community Planning Michael White on the UBC-UNA Neighbours Agreement. This agreement has been in progress for over two years.
White began his presentation by highlighting that the UNA stands as a “quasi-municipality,” with approximately 15,000 people residing in UNA neighbourhoods and 30,000 people sleeping on campus grounds every night.
The summary of updates presented by White involve alignment with the recently approved Land Use Plan and Campus Vision 2050, giving the UNA further power to make decisions within the neighbourhood and formalizing UNA engagement in campus planning.
The next steps for UBC-UNA relations are to formalize its board engagement and improve its communication capacities.
The resolution was approved with no opposition.
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