KPU ancillary fee increase on hold
Institution decides further consultation needed before changes can be made
Kwantlen Polytechnic University has batted around the idea of an ancillary fee increase, but it’s been put on hold for the time being. The proposed increase would have been an additional $3 per credit.
The Kwantlen Student Association received a letter from KPU explaining the rationale behind a fee increase. In total, there were five potential uses of this extra money: increased outreach activities with local aboriginal organizations and aboriginal recruitment, development of universal design for learning and accessibility principles, expanding initiatives aimed at wellbeing and healthy living, cultivation of KPU’s alumni, and additional library hours.
Jane Fee, vice provost of students, says KPU has decided not to go forward with the fee increase at the time.
“There was not sufficient time to proceed with this and do the consultations we would have needed to do,” says Fee. “So, it is being shelved for the time being.”
Alex McGowan, vice-president of external affairs and president of the KSA, says there will be consultation over the course of the next nine months. After that, a proposal will go to KPU’s board of governors next spring.
“It sounds like they want to take some time to make sure, if they increase any fee, that they’re putting it to good use,” says McGowan. “We’re always in favour of more and better services for students, but obviously an increase in fees has to be worth it.”
McGowan explains that the government has made it clear new fee increases have to go toward new services for students. As such, they cannot go into a general pot for flexible spending.
