Pay more, get less: Students face double burden as Ryerson passes new budget

TORONTO, April 27 /CNW/ - Students at Ryerson are being asked to dig deeper into their pockets yet again, to help balance the university's books by paying higher tuition fees for the fifth year in a row. Coupled with this fee increase is another series of across the board cuts to programs. The decision was made at a controversial meeting of the university's Board of Governors last night.

"We need sustainable solutions and bold action to address the crisis facing Post-Secondary Education," said Liana Salvador, Vice-President of Education for the Ryerson Students' Union (RSU). "Instead, Ryerson has opted to fall back on the easiest source of income - students and their families."

In the lead up to the board meeting, nearly 1,000 Ryerson students, faculty and staff sent emails pleading with members of the board to vote no to the proposed cuts and fee hikes. A Coalition made up of members of the RSU, the Continuing Education Students' Association at Ryerson, the Ryerson Faculty Association and CUPE Local 3904 organized this last ditch effort to stop the cuts Monday after weeks of lobbying the administration to consider alternatives.

"Students are tired of paying more for less when it comes to what should be a fully funded public education," Salvador continued "We need the University to stand with us in demanding adequate and stable funding for Post-Secondary Education. Repeatedly turning to program cuts and tuition fee hikes to make up for budget shortfalls will only serve to further undermine the quality of education at Ryerson."

Students are concerned that the university's proposals will lead to a decline in quality, fewer course offerings and less access to faculty and instructors. Current fees for domestic students are at an average of $4,983 per year - among the highest in Canada - and student debt in Ontario after a 4-year degree has been changed to allow students to accumulate up to $29,200.

The Ryerson Students' Union represents 24,000 undergraduate and graduate students at Ryerson University, and is united with over 500,000 students across Canada as a member local of the Canadian Federation of Students.

For further information: Liana Salvador, VP Education, [email protected], cell: [phone] or [phone] ext. 2318