The Durham College Board of Governors approved a motion last night establishing the 1998-99 student tuition fees in response to a Ministry of Education and Training announcement in December, 1997 outlining a 0 per cent increase in college operating grants and de-regulation of Ontario college and university fees.
After consultation between staff and students, Durham College President, Gary Polonsky and Durham College Student Association President, Kevin Jones made a joint recommendation to the Board of Governors.
Starting this Fall, students attending Durham College will pay $1,508, which represents an increase of 5 per cent to be used in college operations and 2.5 percent for enriched curriculum technology.
The guidelines from the Ministry authorized Boards of Governors to increase average fees by up to 5 per cent in each of the next two years, calculated on the 1997-98 fee rate for each program. Boards could also approve a further increase of up to 5 per cent in each of the next two years, to further enrich curriculum and the college learning experience. In addition, Boards of Governors were given the full discretion to de-regulate fees entirely for selected programs which could have increased tuition by hundreds of per cent. Both presidents recommended against de-regulation at this time and the Board agreed.
In presenting their recommendation to the Board of Governors, Gary Polonsky and Kevin Jones expressed the difficulties of balancing the need to keep tuition to a minimum with the need to provide a quality learning experience for all. Given the reduction to funding of 17 per cent in 1996 and no increase this or next year, the increase was deemed essential to preserve and continue building Durham College as a critical resource for students and employers.
"In theory, Kevin and I both would rather have recommended a tuition decrease but it's 1998 for everybody," said Polonsky. He went on to pledge that, "Durham will continue with its unique approach to students, by which no applicant is denied access due to financial hardship."
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