gsa council special meeting agenda - university of alberta

PreparedbyJTanguayandCThomasforGSACouncilSpecialMeeting12December2016MacintoshHD:Users:gsaad:GoogleDrive:320-Council:Meetings:2016-2017:December2016:12December2016-SpecialMeeting:GSACouncilSpecialMeeting12December2016Item2-Agenda(FirstMailing).docx

GSACouncilSpecialMeetingAGENDAMonday,December12,2016at6:00pm2-100UniversityHall,VanVlietComplex

TheGSAacknowledgesthattheUniversityofAlbertaissituatedontheTraditionalTerritoryofTreatySix.

SpeakerSulyaFenichelintheChair

Apizzadinnerwillbeservedat5:15pm.

OPENSESSION

AttachedNumberedPages

1. RollCall

2. Approvalofthe12December2016Agenda

3. ApprovaloftheMinutesfromthe21November2016GSACouncilMeetingAttachment:

i. Minutesfromthe21November2016GSACouncilMeeting

3.0-3.9

Presentation

4. 2017-2018GraduateTuitionFeesSarahFicko(GSAPresident)willpresenttheitemandintroducetheguestsGuests:StevenDew(ProvostandVice-President(Academic))andGittaKulczycki(Vice-President(FinanceandAdministration))

Adjournment

SubstantivematerialissenttoallGSACouncilmembersatleastoneweekpriortothedateofthemeetingtogivemembersabundanttimetoreview(inaccordancewiththeStandingOrdersofCouncil).Anyadditionalsubstantivematerialreceivedafterthismailingwillbeemailedassoonaspossible.Reportsfromcommittees,Directly-ElectedOfficers,andmanagementareemailedtheFridaybeforeaMondaymeetingsothatthecontentisascurrentaspossible.

PreparedbyJTanguayandCThomasforGSACouncilSpecialMeeting12December2016MacintoshHD:Users:gsaad:GoogleDrive:320-Council:Meetings:2016-2017:December2016:12December2016-SpecialMeeting:GSACouncilSpecialMeeting12December2016Item2-ConsolidatedAgenda(FirstMailing)copy.docx

GSACouncilSpecialMeetingCONSOLIDATEDAGENDA

Monday,December12,2016at6:00pm2-100UniversityHall,VanVlietComplex

TheGSAacknowledgesthattheUniversityofAlbertaissituatedontheTraditionalTerritoryofTreatySix.

SpeakerSulyaFenichelintheChair

Apizzadinnerwillbeservedat5:15pm.

OPENSESSION

AttachedNumberedPages

1. RollCall

2. Approvalofthe12December2016Agenda

3. ApprovaloftheMinutesfromthe21November2016GSACouncilMeetingAttachment:

i. Minutesfromthe21November2016GSACouncilMeeting

3.0-3.9

Presentation

4. 2017-2018GraduateTuitionFeesSarahFicko(GSAPresident)willpresenttheitemandintroducetheguestsGuests:StevenDew(ProvostandVice-President(Academic))andGittaKulczycki(Vice-President(FinanceandAdministration))

Adjournment

SubstantivematerialissenttoallGSACouncilmembersatleastoneweekpriortothedateofthemeetingtogivemembersabundanttimetoreview(inaccordancewiththeStandingOrdersofCouncil).Anyadditionalsubstantivematerialreceivedafterthismailingwillbeemailedassoonaspossible.Reportsfromcommittees,Directly-ElectedOfficers,andmanagementareemailedtheFridaybeforeaMondaymeetingsothatthecontentisascurrentaspossible.

PreparedbyJTanguayandFRobertsonfortheCouncilMeetingof21November2016MacintoshHD:Users:gsaad:GoogleDrive:320-Council:Meetings:2016-2017:December2016:12December2016-SpecialMeeting:GSACouncilSpecialMeeting12December2016Item3-MinutesGSACouncil21November2016.docx

3.0

GSACouncilMeetingMINUTESMonday,November21,2016at6:00pm2-100UniversityHall,VanVlietComplex

INATTENDANCE:SarahFicko(President) DashaSmirnow(Councillor-at-

Large)AmandaRadil(EdPsych) KelseyPeterson(Occupational

Therapy)

FirouzKhodayari(VPAcademic) SabrinaLopresti(AFNS) DavidLi(Electrical&ComputerEngineering)

DanielKryz;RadimBarta(Oncology)

SashavanderKlein(VPLabour) AmyReedman(Anthropology) LornaSutherland(ElementaryEducation)

AshleyBahry(Paediatrics)

MasoudKhademi(VPExternal) MichaelWoolley(Art&Design) KevinKvas(English&FilmStudies)HaninAburasayn(Pharmacy&PharmaceuticalSciences)

AliTalaei(VPStudentServices) FrancescaJean(BiologicalSciences)

NeilPrather(History&Classics) JayWorthy(Philosophy)

SulyaFenichel(Speaker) GrahamLittle(BiomedicalEngineering)

MohammedAbdul-Bari(HumanEcology)

StephenHunter(PhysEd&Rec)

PreshitVerma(DeputySpeaker) TrentNabe(BusinessMBA) JocelynBeyer;EvgeniyaKuznetzova(HumanitiesComputing)

AndrzejPokraka(Physics)

DarcyBemister(DRO) KatieLafreniere(BusinessPhD) ShivamSrivastava(Internetworking)

BraydenWhitlock(Physiology)

JaneTraynor(Senator) KarlRoesner(CellBiology) FaisalHirji(LabMedicine&Pathology)

LeighSpanner(PoliticalScience)

MichelleCampbell(Councillor-at-Large)

UmmeAuliaMunira(Chemical&MaterialsEngineering)

CarlaLewis(Library&InfoStudies)

JoshuaYong;JoannaScanlon(Psychology)

AliciaCapello(Councillor-at-Large)AnisFahandej-Sadi(Chemistry) FaeKarey-McKenna(Linguistics) ColinReynolds(PublicHealth)

ColinMore(Councillor-at-Large) NatalieMahé(CommunicationSciences&Disorders)

MichelleMichelle(Math&StatisticalSciences)

BethanyHartman(RehabMed)

AlphonseNdemAhola(Councillor-at-Large)

RoshanShariff(ComputingScience)

MasoudAliramezani(MechEng) LiamLin(ResourceEconomics&EnvironmentalSociology)

NicoleNoel(Councillor-at-Large) DorianLang(Drama) ConnieLe(MedicalMicrobiology&Immunology)

ChristopherCharles;RemoniaStoddart-Morrison(SecondaryEducation)

PhilOel(Councillor-at-Large) BretteHarris(Earth&AtmoSciences)

JayFriesen(MLCS) AntonioBruni(Surgery)

NedOnwugbufor(Councillor-at-Large)

MelodyLi(EastAsianStudies) DavidParent(NativeStudies)

RobertReklow(Councillor-at-Large)

BenjaminDenga(EdPolicyStudies)

UpinderSingh(Nursing)

SpeakerSulyaFenichelintheChair.Themeetingwascalledtoorderat6:00pm.RollCall

1. RollCallofCouncilMembersinAttendance


3.1

AtSpeaker’srequest,tomaintainmeetingtimeline,attendanceswerenotedbyGSACouncilSecretarypriortothebeginningofthemeeting.

ApprovalofAgenda

2. Approvalofthe21November2016ConsolidatedAgendaMembershadbeforethemthe21November2016ConsolidatedAgenda,whichhadbeenpreviouslydistributedon18November2016.SFickoMOVED;NPratherSECONDED.

MotionPASSEDunanimously.ApprovalofMinutes

3. Minutesfromthe24October2016GSACouncilmeetingMembershadbeforethemthe24October2016GSACouncilMinutes,whichhadbeenpreviouslydistributedon11November2016.SvanderKleinMOVED;AReedmanSECONDED.

MotionPASSED.BWhitlockABSTAINED.

ChangesinCouncilMembership4. ChangesinGSACouncilMembership

i. IntroductionofNewCouncillorsThiswasthefirstmeetingforanumberofCouncillors:UMunira(Chemical&MaterialsEngineering);NMahé(CommunicationScience&Disorders);RStuddart-MorrisonandCCharles(EducationalPolicyStudies);DLi(Electrical&ComputerEngineering);BHartman(RehabilitationMedicine).

ii. FarewelltoDepartingCouncillorsCouncillorAnnouncements

5. CouncillorAnnouncementsTNabeintroducedHannahMadsen(formerCAL)fromhisdepartment(Business),whoannouncedanupcomingcompetitionputonbytheMBAWomen’sNetwork.Shenotedthattheyaresolicitingapplicationsfromallgraduatestudentsacrossallprogramsforinnovativeideas(notrelatedtotheirthesiswork)thatcouldbeturnedintoanentrepreneurialpitchwithassistancefrommembersoftheMBAprogramandwhichwouldthenbeenteredintoacompetition.SheaddedthatselectedapplicantswouldbepairedwithagraduatestudentintheMBAprogramandtheninvitedtodeliverapitchtoapanelofjudges,includinglocalinvestorsandrepresentativesfromentrepreneurialtechincubators.Sheaskedinterestedgraduatestudentstocontactherathmadsen@ualberta.ca.CReynoldsremindedGSACouncilthattheSchoolofPublicHealthStudents’Associationwasco-hostingacoffeebreakwiththeGSAonThursday,November24,atlunchtimein1-182ECHA.SFickothankedJTraynorandRBartaforpickingupdishesfromtheSU’sReusableDishProgramfordinnertonight.DLangannouncedthatthefinalprojectoftheMFADirectingCandidate,AshleyWright,isShakespeare’sTwelfthNight;showingattheTimmsCentrefromNovember24toDecember3.ATalaeiremindedGSACouncilthattheGSAChildCareGrantwouldbere-openingonNovember25,at8:00am.NPratherannouncedtheannualHistoryandClassicsBookSalefromWednesday,November23toFriday,November25,intheHumanitiesFishBowl.HenotedthattherewouldbearaffleforaGameCube.Hementionedthattheyalsohavesomehistoricalitems(swords)thatinterestedpartiescouldposewithfor$10.NPratheralsoannouncedthatHistory&ClassicsarecelebratingCanada’s150thinJanuarywithundergraduatepresentationsintheOldArtsBuilding.MCampbellannouncedthe2ndResearchonTap,aNerdNiteStyleevent,atwhichsomegraduatestudentwouldpresenttheirresearch,onDecember2,at5:30pmattheFacultyClub.ActionItems,Elections,Appointments,SpecialBusiness,Updates

6. GSA2016-2017BudgetandExpenditure(Quarterly)Report


3.2

MOTIONBEFORECOUNCIL:ThattheGSACouncilRECEIVEFORINFORMATIONtheGSA2016-2017BudgetandExpenditure(Quarterly)Report.

SFickoexplainedtoGSACouncilthatthisreportwasanoverviewofGSAfinancialsituationforthepast3months.Sheaddedthatthe2017-2018budgetwouldcometoGSACouncilinFebruary.ShenotedthattheGSAfinancialsituationwascurrentlyontarget.ShealsonotedthattheGSABoardFinanceCommitteehadreviewedthereport.CThomasaddedthatthemajorpointstonoteareoutlinedinthecoverletterandshethankedSBall(GSAAccountant)andDSheikh(GSAFinancialManager)fortheirworkonthereportandbudget.CMorenotedthatintheOperatingNarrative,theNASAstaff’ssalariesandbenefitsaccountedfor$225,000andthattheManagement’ssalariesandbenefitsaccountedover$400,000andaskedwhytherewassomuchmoneyallocatedtoManagement’ssalariesandbenefits.CThomasrespondedthattheManagementlineincludedsomeconsultants’salariesandbenefitssuchastheformerExecutiveDirectorandincludedthesalariesoftheGSAAccountantandGSAFinancialManager.CMoreaskedwhetherthatlinecouldbeexplainedfurthertoincludesomemoredetailssincethelinecoveredmorethanstrictlytheManagementsalariesandbenefits.SBallnotedthatthiswasafeasible.SFickonotedthathissuggestionwouldbereviewedbyGSABoardFinanceCommittee.

MOTION:ThattheGSACouncilRECEIVEFORINFORMATIONtheGSA2016-2017BudgetandExpenditure(Quarterly)Report.SFickoMOVED.TNabeSECONDED.

MotionPASSEDunanimously.

7. ProposedChangestoGSABylawandPolicyonElectionsandReferendaLeighSpanner(ChairofGSAElectionsandReferendaCommittee)willpresenttheitem.

MOTIONBEFORECOUNCIL:ThattheGSACouncil,ontherecommendationoftheGSAElectionsandReferendaCommittee,APPROVEtheproposedchangestoGSABylawandPolicyonElectionsandReferenda,asshownintheattacheddoublecolumndocumentsandeffectiveuponthesecondreadingbyGSACouncilinthecaseofGSABylawandtheapprovalofGSACouncilinthecaseofGSAPolicy.

LSpanner,ChairoftheGSAElectionsandReferendaCommittee,notedthat,amongotherchanges,theproposalincludedrecommendedchangestoenableDirectly-ElectedOfficers(DEOs)notrunninginaGSAgeneralelectiontoendorsecandidates(althoughnotintheirofficialcapacity)andtodistinguishbetweencampaigningconductedusingUniversityphysicalorelectronicresourcesandcampaigningconductedusingnon-Universityphysicalorelectronicresources.AFahandej-Sadiaskedwithregardstothetranslationofcampaignmaterialswhethercandidateswereresponsibleforthetranslation.LSpannerrepliedthateffectivelythecandidateswereresponsibleforprovidingthetranslationasitwouldbeunreasonabletopresumeorexpectthattheChiefReturningOfficer(CRO)haveknowledgeofmanylanguages.DSmirnownotedthattherewasastatementaboutthenecessaryneutralityoftheCRO,DeputyReturningOfficer(DRO),speaker,DeputySpeaker,membersoftheGSAElectionsandReferendaCommittee(GSAERC),andmembersoftheGSANominatingCommittee(GSANoC),sheenquiredwhethertheGSAstaffshouldbeaddedtothislist.LSpannernotedthattheGSAofficestaffwasunderobligationtostayneutralintheGSAGeneralElectionsduetodutiesinherentthetheirjobs.DSmirnowaskediftheconsultationwiththeGSAERC(requiredinmultiplesections)necessitatedacertainnumberofconsultedmembersfortherequirementtobefilled.LSpannernotedthatitpresumesthattheGSAERCquorumisreached.CMoreaskedaboutthenecessityofregisteringa‘Yes’or‘No’campaigninareferendumastherewasnorealmechanismtostopacampaignthatdidnotcomplywiththerules.LSpannerrepliedthatthisispartoftheexistingpoliciesandshenotedthatitwasnotabadideatohaveacertainoversightofcampaignstoensurethatnomisinformationiscommunicatedtostudents.CMorereiteratedthefactthattherewasnomechanismtoenforcethecompliancewiththerulesnotingthatintheGSAGeneralElectionsacandidatethatdidnotcomplywithGSABylawandPolicycouldbedisqualifiedbutforthereferendumtherewasnopunishmentthatcouldstopastudent,oragroupofstudents,fromvoicingtheiropinion.SFickonotedthattheGSABoardraisedsimilarquestionsandsheaddedthatthatGSAcoulddissociateitselfwithacampaignthatwasnotregisteredandmakeitclearthatthiscampaignwasnotfollowingtheGSAprocesses.


3.3

CMoreaskediftherequirementforcandidatestosubmitawritten,informalplanforcampaignexpendituresbelongedinGSAPolicy.LSpanneracknowledgedthatitmayseempaternalisticandthatissomethingthattheGSAERCtookintoconsideration.SheemphasizedthattheturnaroundforappealsisshortandthesubmissionofaninformalplanwouldallowtheCROtohavesomeforesight,providefeedback,andpossiblyavoidbreaches.DSmirnowaskedwhathappenedifamoderatedmailinglistwasadministeredbyboththestudentgroupsandUniversityemployees.LSpanneransweredthatifthelistwasmoderatedbyaGSAstudentgroupitshouldbefinebutthatwasaquestionthattheCROwouldhavetoansweronacase-by-casebasis.Shealsoexplainedthatthegoalofthisrule(candidatescouldonlycirculatecampaignmaterialonstudentsgroupmailinglist)wastoavoidthatUniversityemployeesbeingpesteredbycandidates’requestsandhavingtodecideiftheywould,orwouldnot,circulatetheircampaignmaterials.SFenichelnotedthatamoderatedmailinglistbyUniversityemployeeswereonesthattheUniversityemployeescouldstop(ornot)thecirculationofacertainemail.DSmirnowaskedwhyCampaignRepresentativesneededtocollectthesignatureoffivegraduatestudentsonthereferendaregistrationform.LSpannerrepliedthatitwastobeconsistentwiththegeneralelectionDEOsnominationform.CMoreaskedhowthecandidateswereexpectedtoberesponsiblefortheirvolunteers.LSpannernotedthatitwasimportantforcandidatestomeetwiththeirvolunteersandtohaveaconversationabouttherulesoutlinedinGSABylawandPolicy.CMoreaskedaboutcurrentDEOsrunningandtheuseoftheirGSAcalendarsforbookingcampaignevents.LSpannernotedthatitwasokfortheDEOstopersonallyenteractivitiesintheircalendarbuttheycouldn’taskthestafftoscheduletheircampaignactivitiesforthem.DSmirnowaskedifthechangetothedesignoftheballotsfromrandomordertoreversealphabeticalorderwasduetoatechnicalbarrier.LSpannerrepliedthat,yes,itwas,andthatnowitwouldbeconsistentwiththedesignofballotsinotherGSAelections.CMoreaskediftheGSAERCcoulddiscussinthefuturetherequirementofregisteringa‘Yes’or‘No’campaign.LSpannernotedthatshewouldbringhisconcernstotheGSAERC.

MOTION:ThattheGSACouncil,ontherecommendationoftheGSAElectionsandReferendaCommittee,APPROVEtheproposedchangestoGSABylawandPolicyonElectionsandReferenda,asshownintheattacheddoublecolumndocumentsandeffectiveuponthesecondreadingbyGSACouncilinthecaseofGSABylawandtheapprovalofGSACouncilinthecaseofGSAPolicy.LSpannerMOVED.ATalaeiSECONDED.

MotionPASSED.JWorthyABSTAINED.

8. ProposedChangestoGSAPolicyontheCompositionoftheGSANominatingCommitteeSarahFicko(GSAPresident)willpresenttheitem.

MOTIONBEFORECOUNCIL:ThattheGSACouncil,ontherecommendationoftheGSAGovernanceCommittee,APPROVEtheproposedchangestoGSAPolicyonthecompositionoftheGSANominatingCommittee,asshownintheattacheddoublecolumndocumentsandeffectiveimmediately.

SFickonotedthattheGSAwaslessstablefiveorsixyearsagoandthat,atthattime,whenagraduatestudentwasneededtoserveonacommitteethePresidentRoyCoulthardandtheExecutiveDirectorEllenSchoeckwouldplacestudentsasquicklyastheycould.ShealsonotedthattheGSANominatingCommitteewasnowwellestablishedtofillthisneedandthatthecompositionofthecommitteeincludedtheGSAPresidentandExecutiveDirectorasvotingmembers.SheaddedthattheinvolvementoftheGSAPresidentandtheExecutiveDirectorchangedovertimetonon-votingmembersandthatthisproposalwouldformalizetheprocessesthatarecurrentlyused.SFickohighlightedthatthisproposalwouldaddtwomembersoftheGSAasvotingmembersandchangetheGSAPresidentandExecutiveDirectortonon-votingmembersandthattheAdministrativeChairwillbecometheChair,ratherthanthePresidentwhoisChaironlyinname.SheaddedthatthisproposalwasreviewedbytheGSANoCanddiscussedextensivelybytheGSAGovernanceCommitteeandGSABoard.


3.4

MOTION:ThattheGSACouncil,ontherecommendationoftheGSAGovernanceCommittee,APPROVEtheproposedchangestoGSAPolicyonthecompositionoftheGSANominatingCommittee,asshownintheattacheddoublecolumndocumentsandeffectiveimmediately.SFickoMOVED.TNabeSECONDED.


Elections

9. GSACouncilElectionsRadimBarta(AdministrativeChairoftheGSANominatingCommittee)willpresenttheitem.

a. GSAElectionsandReferendaCommittee

RBartanotedthatthereweretwovacanciesontheGSAERCandthattheGSANoCreceived,afterthecallforadditionalnominations,onenomination.

MOTIONBEFORECOUNCIL:ThatGSACouncilDECLAREELECTEDtotheGSAElectionsandReferendaCommitteethegraduatestudentbelow:

NomineesforGSAElectionsandReferendaCommittee:RunzhiXu(ChemicalandMaterialsEngineering)

MOTION:ThatGSACouncilDECLAREELECTEDtotheGSAElectionsandReferendaCommitteethegraduatestudentsbelow.RBartaMOVED.SFickoSECONDED.


b. GSAAwardsSelectionCommittee

RBartanotedthattherewerefivevacanciesontheGSAASCandthattheGSANoCreceived,afterthecallforadditionalnominations,fournominations.

MOTIONBEFORECOUNCIL:ThatGSACouncilDECLAREELECTEDtotheGSAElectionsandReferendaCommitteethegraduatestudentbelow:

NomineesforGSAAwardsSelectionCommittee:HoneyBhatia(CivilEngineering)AlixClarke(DentalHygiene)BahadorRashidi(ElectricalandComputerEngineering)MostafaTawfeek(CivilEngineering)

MOTION:ThatGSACouncilDECLAREELECTEDtotheGSAAwardsSelectionCommitteethegraduatestudentsbelow.RBartaMOVED.LSpannerSECONDED.


c. GSAAppealsandComplaintsBoard

i. NomineesforGSAAppealsandComplaintsBoard:RadimBarta(Oncology)AntonioBruni(Surgery)JustinLeifso(PoliticalScience)SarahPrendergast(MBA)HajarAmidian(PoliticalScience)SarangGumfekar(ChemicalandMaterialsEngineering)LiamHeffernan(RenewableResources)

ii. NomineesforGSAAppealsandComplaintsBoardChairandVice-Chair:AntonioBruni(Surgery)–ChairJustinLeifso(PoliticalScience)–Vice-Chair


3.5

RBartanotedthatthemandateoftheGSAAppealsandComplaintsBoard(GSAACB)istoadjudicatepossiblecomplaintsoftheDEOsandpossibleappealsofCROdecisions.HealsonotedthatlasttimevacanciesontheGSAACBcameforwarditwasanewcommitteeandtheballotdidnotindicateifthecandidateswouldbeservingforaone-yeartermoratwo-yearterms,soitwasassumedthatitwasforaoneyearterm.RBartanotedthatallmembersoftheGSAACBwerecontactedbytheGSANoCandaskedwhethertheywereinterestedinseekinganadditionalterm.RBartaaddedthatfivemembersindicatedaninterestandwerecurrentlylistedontheballotinfrontofyou.HealsonotedthatfollowingthistheGSANoCadvertisedforfivevacantpositionsontheGSAACB.Followingtheinitialcall,theGSANoCinterviewedthetwonomineeswhosenamesarenowbeforeGSACouncil.RBartaexplainedthattheinterviewswereconductedbyhimself,asAdministrativeChairoftheGSANoC,andtherecentformerAdministrativeChairoftheNoC,MicheleDuval.HepointedoutthatMicheleDuValandhehadbothreceivedtrainingonproceduralfairnessfromtheGSAandwereexpectedtodemonstrateimpartialitythroughtheirworkontheGSANoC.Hefurtherexplainedthat,duringtheinterview,nomineeswereaskedaseriesofquestionsaimedatassessingtheirawarenessofthebasictenetsofproceduralfairnessandtheirabilitytoadjudicatepotentialcasesinaccordwiththosetenets.Headdedthatfollowingtheseinterviewsandensuingdiscussion,theGSANoCagreedtoforwardbothnomineestoGSACouncilwiththecallforadditionalnominationsandthattheGSANoCreceivednoadditionalnominationsRBartaaddedthat,giventhis,thereweresevennomineesfortwelvepositions.Hence,allpositionswereuncontested.Heindicatedthatforeachnomineetheballotlistedwhethertheywerestandingforelectionorre-election,thedesiredlengthoftheupcomingterm,andthatGSACouncilmembercouldcheck“Yes’or‘No’boxforeachnominee.RBartanotedthatfollowingthisballot.GSACouncilcouldbepresentedwithanotherballottoelecttheGSAACBChairandVice-Chair.Headdedthatthisballotwouldalsoindicatewhetheracandidateisrunningforanadditionalterm.HespecifiedthattheresultsofthissecondvotewouldrelyontheresultsoftheGSAACBmembershipvote;thatis,ifeitherthenomineeforChairorVice-ChairwasnotvotedtoserveasamemberoftheGSAACB,theywouldnotbeeligibletoserveasChairorVice-Chair.HeexplainedthatassuchtheballotsforGSAACBmembershipwouldbecountedfirstand,intheeventthatthenomineeforChairand/orVice-ChairwerenotelectedtoserveontheGSAACB,theirnameswouldbeautomaticallystruckfromtheballotforthepositionsofChairand/orVice-Chair.HementionedthattheGSANoCwouldthenseeknewnomineesfromamongsttheelectedGSAACBmemberstorecommendtoGSACouncilforelectionasChairandVice-Chair.HeexplainedthatGSACouncilmemberswereinvitedtovotefortheGSAACBmembershipandtheGSAChairandVice-ChairatthesamemeetingtoallowfortrainingsessionsinJanuaryinadvanceoftheGSAGeneralElectionsinFebruary.CMoreaskedwhethertakingintoaccountthattheGSAACBwasthecheckforeverythingitcouldbeaconflictofinterestinhavingtheAdministrativeChairoftheGSANoCservingontheGSAACB.RBartaspecifiedthattheGSAACBwasanaccountabilitymechanismfortheDEOsandsothatappealsoftheCROdecisionscouldbeheard,andnotGSAStandingCommittees.HealsonotedthatasperGSAPolicy,themembersoftheGSANoCwererequiredtobeimpartialsotherewasaclearoverlapintherequirements.ToaquestionfromTNabeaboutwhywewerenothearingtheusualonequestionpresentationsfromcandidates,RBartarepliedthat,inaccordancewithGSANoCprocedures,thecandidateswerenotaddressingGSACouncilasnotallofthemcouldattendthemeeting.DSmirnownotedthatlastyeartheChairandVice-ChairforthesepositionswererecommendedbytheGSAACBandsheenquiredastowhythatrecommendationwasnotthere.RBartaexplainedthattheywereandthattherewassomecontinuationfromthepastyearandtherewouldbesomeadditionaltraining.ForDiscussionNoneatthistimeSFenichelnotedthattherewouldbeaspecialmeetingofGSACouncilonDecember12atwhichtheProvostandVice-President(Academic)andtheVice-President(FinanceandAdministration)willdiscussgraduatetuitionfeesfor2017-2018.Shealsonotedthatguestswerewelcome.Sheaddedthatshemightseekamotionfromthefloortogiveguestsspeakingprivileges.SheremindedGSACouncillorsthatGSACouncilwasacollegialenvironmentandthatlisteningtocolleagueswasimportantsothattheconversationcouldmovealong.Shenotedthattheinformationontheproposalforinternationalgraduatetuitionfeeswasstillcomingin.AnyquestionsabouttheproposalshouldbedirectedtotheUniversityofAlbertaAdministration.SFenichelnotedthattheexactproceduresforspeakingrightswouldbesetatthemeetingdependingonhowlongthepresenterswouldbeavailableandthenumberofguests.ARadilaskedwhatwasthetimelineofthatmeeting.SFenichelrepliedthattheProvost


3.6

andVice-President(Academic)andtheVice-President(FinanceandAdministration)woulddoashortpresentationandthentherewouldbetimeforquestions.FollowingaquestionbyTNabetothiseffectitwasnotedthattheDecembermeetingofGSACouncilwascancelled.Reports

10. Presidenti. President’sReport:

Membershadbeforethemawrittenreport,whichhadbeenpreviouslydistributedon18November2016.Thereportstoodassubmitted.InadditionSFickostated,asmanystudentswereaware,therewasasurveybeingrunbytheAlbertaGraduateProvincialAdvocacyCouncil(ab-GPAC)sentouttodayandintheGSANewsletteronFridayabouttuitionintheprovince.SFickoaskedCounciltofilloutthesurveyandshareditwiththeirpeers.Shenotedthattheyhadreceivedabout500responsesthusfar.OnthesubjectofthespecialmeetingofGSACouncil,SFickonotedthattheinformationregardingtheproposalforinternationalgraduatestudenttuitionincreaseswaschangingveryrapidlyandthatevenattheBoardFinanceandPropertyCommittee(BFPC)meetingshehadattendedearlierthatday,somechangesweremade.ShealsonotedthatthePresident’sreportandtheVPAcademic’sreportwerelargelyabouttheinternationalstudenttuitionchangesandsheinvitedGSACounciltoreadthemcarefully.ShespecifiedthatdomestictuitionwasfrozenandthattherewasacalculationdevelopedforMandatoryNon-InstructionalFeestoshowtheactualcostsfortheUniversityabovetheAlbertaConsumerPriceIndexandthattheUniversitywasconsideringapplyingthesamecalculationtointernationaltuitionfor2017-2018calledtheAcademicPriceIndex(API).Shementionedthatthiswouldmeana3.02%increasetoInternationalStudentstuition.SFickonotedthattheUniversitywouldalsoapplya$4000increasetointernationalgraduatestudenttuitionbutwouldthenissuearebateinthesameamount.ShealsonotedthattheUniversitystatedthattherationaleforthiswasbecausesomeinternationalapplicationsmadeanequationbetweenhightuitioncostsandthequalityofeducationoffered.SFickoaddedthatshedidnotagreewiththisandfeltthattheUniversityhadnotprovidedsufficientevidenceinsupportofthis.SheindicatedthattheUniversityalsohadnotdonemuchstudentconsultation.SheexplainedthattheGSAfirstheardaboutthisproposalonOctober28,itwasthenchangedandanewversionpresentedonNovember7,thenitchangedagainwhenitwaspresentedtotheGeneralFacultiesCouncilAcademicPlanningCommittee(GFCAPC),and,finally,itwasagainmodifiedearlierthatday.Shenotedthattheprocessfeltrushed.SFickoremindedGSACouncilthattheProvostandVice-President(Academic)andtheVice-President(FinanceandAdministration)wouldspeakatFGSRCouncilonWednesday,November23,at2:00pminCouncilChambers.Shenotedthatpubliccouldattendasobservers.SFickoaddedthatshewashappytoanswerquestionsbutnotedthatitmightbeeasierifquestionswereemailed.TNabeaskediftherewasanyopportunitytocollaboratewiththeStudents’Union(SU)tocombineforces.SFickorespondedthattheSUalsohadbeenvocalabouttheirdispleasureandwouldalsoliketoatleastseecurrentstudentsgrandfatheredin.SheaddedthattherewouldlikelybearticlesintheGatewayandtheJournalsoon.LSutherlandaskedifthetuitionincreasewascomingfromthegovernment.SFickoexplainedthatinternationaltuitionfeeswerenotregulatedbythegovernmentunderthePost-SecondaryLearningAct,asdomestictuitionfeeswere.ShenotedthatthiswassomethingtheGSAwouldliketoseechanged.SheexplainedfurtherthattheseincreaseswereinternaltotheUniversityandthatdomestictuitionremainedfrozen.SFenichelurgedCouncillorstotakethisinformationbacktotheirconstituentsandpreparefortheDecember12meeting.

ii. GSABoard

Membershadbeforethemawrittenreport,whichhadbeenpreviouslydistributedon18November2016.Thereportstoodassubmitted.

iii. BudgetandFinanceCommitteeMembershadbeforethemawrittenreport,whichhadbeenpreviouslydistributedon18November2016.Thereportstoodassubmitted.

iv. GSAGovernanceCommittee


3.7


11. GSANominatingCommitteeMembershadbeforethemawrittenreport,whichhadbeenpreviouslydistributedon18November2016.Thereportstoodassubmitted.InadditionRBartastatedtheEarlyCallTalentandTrainingprogramwasongoingandthattherewerevacanciesonthetheGSAACB,GSAERC,andGSAASC,thesevacancieswouldbeadvertisedinJanuary.

12. Vice-PresidentAcademici. Vice-PresidentAcademic’sReport:

Membershadbeforethemawrittenreport,whichhadbeenpreviouslydistributedon18November2016.Thereportstoodassubmitted.InadditionFKhodayaristatedthat,regardingtheleavepolicy,FGSRCouncilhadanextensivediscussionlastmonthwithmanyremarkswithrespecttothemedicalleavepolicy.HeaddedthatFGSRwouldconsiderallthefeedbackreceivedandreviewedthemedicalleavepolicyindetailshoweverFGSRCouncilattheirnextmeetingwouldbeaskedtoconsiderseparatelytheProfessionalDevelopmentleavesoitcouldbeusedbystudents.FKhoadayarinoted,inreferencetotheproposedincreasetointernationalgraduatetuition,thattheUniversityismakingtheargumentthatinternationalstudents,indecidingwhichschooltheywillattend,equatecostswithquality.HeaddedthattheGSABoarddidsomeresearchtorefutethatargument.ATalaeiaddedthatintheirresearchtheydidn’tseealinkbetweenhighcostoftuitionandtheperceptionofquality,theyfoundhoweverthatotherfactorssuchasreputationmattered.MKhademinotedthattheproposalhas,sofar,beenapprovedbytheGFCAPCandtheBFPCandthatinordertobeimplementedforthe2017-2018academicyear,theproposalmustbeapprovedbytheUniversity’sBoardofGovernorsatitsDecember16,2016meeting.HenotedthatstudentsshouldconveytheirconcernwiththeproposaltotheUniversity.Hespokeoftheneedformorethoroughconsultation.TNabenotedhisfrustrationregardingthelackofconsultationandthatincreasinginternationaltuitionwasaneasywayfortheUniversitytokeepitsbudgetbalanced.SFickonotedthatthegovernmentofAlbertahadnotconfirmeditwouldbackfillthiscostliketheydidinthepastandtheUniversitywasdoubtfultheywould.Sheaddedthattherewasalackof$4M.ShealsoindicatedthatitwasaninterestingtimetostartusingtheAPIbecauseifthegovernmentchoosestonotregulateinternationaltuition,theUniversitywouldmostlikelycontinueusingtheAPIinthefuture.NPrathernotedthathewasagainsttheincreaseandthathedidn’tliketheideaofdividinginternationalanddomesticgraduatestudents.Hesuggestedcomparingstatisticsontuitionfeesandranking.CReynoldssuggestedthatGSACouncilparticipateinastrawpollastowhetherhigherpriceisassociatedwithprestige.SPrescottnotedthatthiswasnotagoodstatisticalmethod.RBartaencouragedmemberstofilloutthesurveythatwouldbesharedwithstudentsbytheGSA.SFickonotedthattheGSAwouldsubmitawrittenreportwhichwouldincludeasummaryofthesurveyresponses.ShealsoaddedthatshewoulddoapresentationattheDecembermeetingoftheBoardofGovernors.DSmirnowaskedwhythetimelineinthisissuewassotight.SFickorepliedthattheUniversity’splancouldnotbeformalizeduntilthegovernmentannouncedtheirplansfordomestictuitionin2017-2018whichhappenedlaterintheyearthanisusual.SheaddedthatthereisapressureontheUniversitytosettuitionfeesfor2017-2018sothatrecruiterscouldcirculatethecorrectinformation.SheaddedthatwhentheUniversitymetwithbothstudentassociationsitwasmoreofaninformationsessionthanaconsultationsession.SheaddedthatshehadraisedthisissuewhentheproposalwasconsideredbyBFPCandthattheBoardofGovernorsChairhadaskedUniversityAdministrationtoreportfurtheronconsultationwithstudents.CReynoldsaskedifthe$4000wouldbeusedtoinflatethe3.02%.SFickospecifiedthatitwouldn’tasitwasmadeclearthatitwouldbeanetzerocosttostudents.CCharlesaskedwhatwasthestrategymovingforward.SFickorepliedthattheGSAwouldbecirculatingasurveyonFridayandsheencouragedGSACouncilmemberstofillit.

13. Vice-PresidentExternali. Vice-PresidentExternal’sReport

Membershadbeforethemawrittenreport,whichhadbeenpreviouslydistributedon18November2016.Thereportstoodassubmitted.InadditionMKhademistated:theGSAASCfinalizedthelistofnomineeswassenttotheAlbertagovernment.HeaddedthattheGSAnotifiedtheapplicants,viaemail,whethertheirapplicationshadbeenselected.


3.8

ii. GSAAwardsSelectionCommittee’sReportMembershadbeforethemawrittenreport,whichhadbeenpreviouslydistributedon18November2016.Thereportstoodassubmitted.

14. Vice-PresidentLabouri. Vice-PresidentLabour’sReport


ii. GSANegotiatingCommittee

Nomeetingsthisreportingperiod.

iii. GSALabourRelationsCommitteeNomeetingsthisreportingperiod.

15. Vice-PresidentStudentServicesi. Vice-PresidentStudentServices’Report

Membershadbeforethemawrittenreport,whichhadbeenpreviouslydistributedon18November2016.Thereportstoodassubmitted.InadditionATalaeistatedthattheGSAisworkingwiththeMichenerParkResidenceAssociationtoadvocateforabettertransittotheUniversity,someprogresshavebeenmadeandtheUniversityAdministrationandacityCouncillorhavebeeninvolvedinthediscussion.

ii. GSAStudentAffairsAdvisoryCommitteeNomeetingsthisreportingperiod.

16. Senatori. Senator’sReport

Membershadbeforethemawrittenreport,whichhadbeenpreviouslydistributedon18November2016.Thereportstoodassubmitted.InadditionJTraynornotedthatonDecember1andDecember2theSenatewouldhaveadiscussiononracism.SheinvitedCouncillortoemailheratgsa.senator@ualberta.ca.iftheyhadanyinputtheywouldlikebroughtup.

17. Speakeri. Speaker’sReport

Nowrittenreportatthistime.

18. ChiefReturningOfficeri. ChiefReturningOfficer’sReport

Nowrittenreportatthistime.

19. GSAElectionsandReferendaCommitteei. GSAElectionsandReferendaCommitteeReport


20. GSAManagementi. ExecutiveDirector’sReport

Membershadbeforethemawrittenreport,whichhadbeenpreviouslydistributedon18November2016.Thereportstoodassubmitted.InadditionCThomasstatedthattheEarlyCallTalentandTrainingProgramwasgoingwell,theypreparedstudentsfortheGSAGeneralElectionforDEOspositionsplus10CALpositions.QuestionPeriod

21. WrittenQuestionsNoneatthistime.

22. OralQuestions


3.9

ARadilremindedGSACouncilofHelpingIndividualsatRisk(HIaR),acampusresourceforcommunicationandengagementwhenhavingconcernsaboutacolleagueorastudent.Shenotedthatthisorganizationcheckedinwithindividualsbroughttotheirattention.TNabeaddedthathehadworkedwithHIaRandtheorganizationconsolidatedalltheinformationfromallavailablecampussourcesandactedasthemaingatekeeperforstudentsatriskoncampus.TNabeinvitedGSACounciltosharethisresourcewiththeirdepartment.SFickoalsoaddedthatthenewDeanofStudents,AndréCostopoulos,wasworkingonanemailformthatwhenfilledoutwouldgotohimorHIaR.BWhitlockexpressedconcernsabouttheGSABylawandPolicyonelections,particularlythesectionwhereitspecifiedthatcandidatescouldnotmakeanyinappropriate,discriminatory,oradhominemattacksasitwasoftenimportanttoaddresscharacterinacampaign.Henotedthatthiswasneedlesslyrestrictiveandharmfullyvague.HeaskedwhytheGSAdidnotwanttoallowpeopletobeclear.SPrescott,inhercapacityasVice-ChairofGSAERC,respondedthatshedisagreedwithhisinterpretationofanadhominemattackandnotedthatthepolicywasintendedtoprevent“you’reuglyandyousuck”andtoavoidacampaignwithanegativetone.ThispolicywouldallowtheCROapositionwhenspeakingtocandidates.SheaddedthattheGSAERCconcernwasreligiousorethnicdiscrimination,notdiscriminatingfacts.BWhitlockagreedthatthiswasreasonablebutitwasnotclearinthepolicyandthathewasconcernedthatascurrentlywordedwouldallowforsomeonetobepunishedforhealthycampaigning.SPrescottrespondedGSABylawandPolicyneededtoavoidbeingtoospecificastoallowforsomediscretionifasituationisnotcovered.SPrescottnotedthatthisattemptedtodisciplinepossiblebadbehaviourwhileleavingroomforgoodfaithbehaviour.JWorthyclarifiedthattheterm“adhominem”didnotrefertoanythingyousayaboutaperson,itwasthenameforalogicalfallacy–whensomeoneusedsomethingaboutapersontomakeapointthathadnothingtodowithyourpoint.BWhitlockagreedwiththatdefinitionandrequestedmoreclarityonthatsectionoftheGSAPolicy.SPrescottsuggestedsendinghiscommentstoGSAERCforconsideration.BWhitlockexpressedtoGSACouncilthathewasinattendanceattheGFCAPCmeetingandvotedfortheproposaloninternationalgraduatestudenttuitionincrease.Heexplainedthatthestickerpriceswitch,sinceitwasnetneutralcomesdowntoamarketingissueandSFicko’sobjectionswerereasonablebutthiswasnotastrongenoughargumentforhimtovotetheproposaldown.Asfarastargetinginternationalstudents,henotedthattheUniversitywasmostlyfundedbythegovernmentsotherewasanargumenttobemadethatinternationalstudentshadnotcontributedtoEducationinthisprovincethusfar.Headdedthatifstudentsopposedthefeeincreasesthenitwasprudenttodiscusswherethecutswouldalternatelyoccur.FKhodayarirespondedthatsincetheUniversityhadnotshowntheirreasoningformakingthisdecision,theGSAcannotyetseeifthatchangewouldhelpornot.HeaddedthatmostinternationalstudentsweredrawntotheUniversityofAlbertafortheprogramqualityandthecheapertuition.Hespecifiedthatotherprogramsmighthavebeenbetterbasedontheirrankingssolowertuitiondoesfactorintostudents’decisions.HeagreedthatinternationalstudentsmightnotyethavecontributedtotheCanadian/AlbertasystembuthenotedthattheybroughtskillsthatbenefitedthewholecommunityandthatmanyalumnistayedinAlbertaandpaidbacktheircommunities.HeaddedthatstudentswhodidreturntotheirhomecountriesfurthercontributedtomarketingtheUniversitywiththeirfellowcountrymenandwomen.SFickoaddedthatBWhitlockmadeafairpointaboutcutsandsheagreedthatwasthereality.SFickonotedthatshechallenged,atGFCAPCandBFPC,theUniversitytobemorecreative;theirapproachtomarketingwasonlyonestrategyandwewouldlikethemtolookatotheroptions.AdjournmentThemeetingwasadjournedat7:55pm.

GSASubmissiontotheBoardofGovernorsRegardingtheProposedIncreasestoInternationalGraduateStudentTuition

1

EXECUTIVESUMMARY

WithrespecttotheUniversity’sproposalregardingincreasestointernationalgraduatestudenttuition,theGSApresentsthefollowingconcerns:

• TheInternationalGraduateStudentAdjustment(IGA)feeisintroducedasa‘stickerprice’increaseintendedtopresenttheUofAasamorevaluable,andthereforemoredesirabledestination,forinternationalgraduatestudents.Inthisproposal,graduatestudentswillbereimbursedthefullamountoftheIGAforthe2017-2018academicyear.CurrentlytheGSAisunawareofanyquantitativeorqualitativeevidencesuggestingarelationshipbetweencostandtheperceptionofqualitywithrespecttograduateeducation.Similarly,theGSAseeksevidencethatthismethodwillbesuccessfulinbetterattractingfuturegraduatestudents,ratherthansimplydeterringnon-affluentones.

• The‘stickerprice’raisestheconcernthat—withoutaguaranteethatfinancialsupportwillcontinuebeyondthe2017-2018academicyear—thereimbursementprogramwillbediscontinued.Thiswouldundoubtedlyleadtoseriousimplicationsontheaffordabilityofgraduateprogramsforinternationalstudents,andhaveanadverseeffectoncurrentstudents.TheGSAisparticularlyconcernedaboutthevulnerabilityofthisdemographicasinternationalgraduatestudentsfaceinherentobstaclesinqualifyingforgovernmentfundingorsecuringemploymenttosupplementtheirincome,andasaresultdisproportionatelyrelyonresourcessuchastheCampusFoodBankandemergencyfunding.

• Attheveryleast,theGSAobjectstoincreasesofthissizewithoutgrandfatheringcurrentinternationalgraduatestudents,andisconcernedaboutsuchincreasesadverselyaffectingtheUniversity’sreputation.Giventhesignificantfinancialstressmanyinternationalgraduatestudentsalreadyexperience,webelievethatincreasingfeespartwaythroughtheirstudieswillbeunnecessarilyburdensome.TheGSAsuggeststhatcurrentinternationalgraduatestudentsreceiveatuitionincreaseinaccordancewithAlbertaCPIratherthanbeingchargedsignificantlyhigherfeeswithoutcommensurateandsustainableincreasesinfinancialsupport.

InadvanceoftheDecember16meetingoftheBoardofGovernors,theGSAreachedouttograduatestudentstocollectedfeedbackfromthemregardingtheUniversity’sproposal.Thebelowtablespresentasummaryofthedatacollectedwithrespecttoseveralkeyquestionsposedtorespondents:

QuestionStronglyDisagree

Disagree Neutral Agree StronglyAgree Don’tknow

Isupporttheproposalregardingincreasestointernationalgraduatestudenttuitionasoutlined

72% 17% 5% 2% 3% 1%

IbelievethatinternationalgraduatestudenttuitionshouldbehigherthanthatpaidbydomesticstudentsandPermanentResidents

40% 24% 13% 17% 6% NA

Iequatethecostofagraduateprogramwiththequalityoftheeducationoffered

36% 21% 14% 23% 5% 1%


2

Question Yes–manytimes Yes–afewtimes No

Hasyourfinancialsituationcausedyousignificantstresswhileyouhavebeeningraduatestudies?

41% 49% 10%

Haveyoubeenconcernedaboutyourfinancialsituationwhileyouhavebeeningraduatestudies?

47% 47% 6%

Question Yes No

WastheaffordabilityoftuitionatUAlbertaamajorfactorinyourdecisiontopursuegraduatestudieshere?

73% 27%

Basedontheresponsesreceived,thefollowingconclusionscanbedrawn:

• Respondentsstronglydisagreewiththeproposal.• Thefinancialsituationofmanygraduatestudentsisprecarious(somearebelowthepovertyline)andanyunpredictableor

dramaticchangeswillmakethesituationworseand,asaresult,decreasethequalityofresearchattheUniversityanditsreputation.

• AffordabilityoftuitionisoneofthemajorfactorsforstudentstochoosetheUofA.• InadditiontosharingmanyoftheGSA’sconcernswithrespecttotheproposal,mostrespondentsalsofelt,moregenerallythata

lackofconsistent,predictable,andsufficientfundingwasaseriousissueaffectingtheirhealthandwellness,theirabilitytoconductqualityresearch,andtheirexperienceattheUofA.

WithrespecttotheUniversity’ssuggestionthatprospectivestudentsperceiveacorrelationbetweenprogramcostandquality,theGSAengagedinacomparisonofthepercentageofinternationalgraduatestudentsattheUofArelativetootherCanadianinstitutions.Thisresearchsuggestedthatthereisanegativecorrelationbetweentuitionfeesandthepercentageofinternationalgraduatestudents.

Astheabovechartindicates,universitieswithlowerfeesaremoresuccessfulinattractinginternationalstudents.TheUofAhasbeenoneofthemostsuccessfulandthisislikelystronglytiedtoaffordabletuitionrates.TheGSAbelievesthatanylargechangestothis,especially

McGill

UofT

UBC

UofA

McMaster

Waterloo

UofC WesternQueensDalhousie

ONawa

UofS

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000Percen

tInterna

Oona

lGradu

ateStud

ents

TuiOon($)

PercentInternaOonalGraduateStudentsAgainstAverageTuiOon


3

thoseembarkeduponwithoutsufficientresearchandcommensurateconsultation,couldresultindecliningenrollmentlevels–whichwillbedamagingoveralltotheinstitution.

ProposedNextSteps(moredetailoneachsuggestionisprovidedintheattachedreport):

• Grandfathercurrentinternationalstudents.

• DelayelementsofthecurrentproposaluntilaliteraturereviewoftherationaleunderpinningthisincreasecanbeconductedtoenabletheBoardtothoroughlyreviewitspotentialaffectstotheUniversity.

• Engageinacomprehensivereviewofgraduatestudentfunding.

• DevelopaMoUtobesignedbytheUniversityandtheGSAtoconfirmthattherebatewillcontinuetobeofferedforallstudentsaslongasthe‘stickerprice’inflationof$4,000(ormore)isinplace.


4

FULLREPORT

PreambleIntheUniversityofAlberta’sstrategicplan,ForthePublicGood,theUniversitymakesacommitmenttofinancialsupportsforstudents.Forgraduatestudents,financialstabilityisafunctionofcosts(tuition,fees,livingexpenses,etc),andfinancialsupports(scholarships,grants,bursaries,TA/RAfunding,otherworkon/offcampus,etc).InAlberta,thereiscurrentlynorequirementforgraduatestudentstoreceiveanyfinancialsupportduringtheirdegree,despitegraduatestudentsprovidingenormousbenefitstotheUniversityandsocietythroughtheirresearch,teaching,andscholarlyactivities.Overthelasttwoyears,theNDPgovernmenthasshownadesiretoensureaccessibleandaffordableeducation,withafocusonAlbertastudents.Sincefall2015,domestictuitionhasbeenfrozenatthe2014-2015level.Whileinternationalstudenttuitioniscurrentlyunregulatedbytheprovince,theUniversitychosetoonlyincreaseitbyCPIoverthelasttwoyears,asthegovernmentprovidedbackfillfundingtohelpoffsetthelossofrevenuefromalackofincreasesindomestictuitioneachyear.Infall2016,thegovernmentextendedthetuitionfreezeforathirdyear,butdidnotprovideaguaranteeofbackfillfunding.ThisplacedtheUniversityinanuncertainfinancialposition,withfewopportunitiestogeneratefurtherrevenueexceptbyraisinginternationalstudenttuition.InlateOctober,aproposalforatuitionincreaseof3.02%forallinternationalstudentswaspresentedtostudentleadersataTuitionandBudgetAdvisoryCommitteemeeting,alongwithasecondproposaltoapplyan‘InternationalGraduateStudentAdjustment’fee,orstickerpriceincrease,of$4,000,toallinternationalgraduatestudents.Atthesametime,an‘award’(lateramendedtoa‘rebate’)ofanequivalentamountwouldbegiventoeachstudent,resultinginacost-neutralplan.Thepurposeofthissecondproposalwastoincreasethe‘perceivedvalue’ofaUofAdegree,andattract‘better’students,thoughnojustificationbeyond‘generalmarketingwisdom’hasbeenoffered,andthereiscurrentlynoguaranteethattherebatewillnotberemovedinfuture.WhiletheGraduateStudents’Association(GSA)recognizesthattheUniversityisfacingfinancialconstraintsrightnow,wedisagreewiththemethodofimplementationofthefirstproposal,andtherationaleforthesecondproposal.Bothmattersarediscussedbelow.AstheGSAPresident,myobjectionshavenotonlytodowiththeperceivednegativeeffectsongraduatestudents,butalsowiththereputationoftheUniversityandadesiretofindabettersolutiontorevenueshortfallsthatwillbenefittheinstitutionasawhole.PastConsultationsandGraduateStudentFinancialConsiderationsOverthepastninemonths,theGSAhasengagedinabroadconsultativeeffortthroughavarietyofmeetings,workshops,roundtables,townhalls,andsurveystoheardirectlyfromgraduatestudentswithrespecttotheissuestheyfaceandtheactionstheywouldliketoseetheGSAtakeontheirbehalfthisyearandoverthenextfiveyears.Inaddition,wehaveworkedwithothercampusresourcesincludingtheCommunitySocialWorkers,CounsellingandClinicalServices,theCampusFoodBank,FinancialServices,FGSR,andtheDeanofStudents,tobetterunderstandhowthesegroupsinteractwith,andsupportgraduatestudentsoncampus.Aftersynthesizingallthisinformation,theGSABoard’sStrategicWorkPlanoutlinesavisionofanequitableandwelcomingcampuscommunitywhereallgraduatestudentsfeelencouragedtoactivelylearnandparticipate,andareprovidedreasonableaccommodationsandsupportstoensuretheirsuccess.Topredictexpectedcostsduringagraduatedegree,manystudentsusetheFGSRwebsitetohelpestimatetheirlivingexpenses.However,thenumberslistedtendtobeontheextremelowendofanexpectedrangeforvariousexpenses,anddonottakeintoconsiderationotherexpensesthatwoulddisproportionatelyaffectinternationalstudentssuchasplaneticketstobeabletotravelhometoseetheirfamilies(astheymaybelivingapartfromtheirspouseandchildren).Furthermore,thisnumberdoesnothelpindicatehowthecostoflivingwillincreaseovertime.Atthesametime,tuitionincreasesforstudentsoverthelastfiveyearshaveeitherbeenfrozen,orincreasedbyCPI,whichisanindicatorofhowtuitionwillincreaseinfuture,andstudentshavebudgetedaccordingly.Intermsoffinancialsupportintheformoffundingpackages,thereiscurrentlyanincompleteunderstandingofhowgraduatestudentsarefundedacrossdepartmentsandcampuses.Forinstance,somedepartmentsofferfundingpackagesbetween$17,500and$28,000,whileothersoffernofunding.SomedepartmentsorsupervisorspaytheInternationalDifferentialFee,whilemanyothersdonot,oronlypayit


5

foralimitedtime.Someofferfundingforoneyear,someofferitforuptofour.Somedepartmentsensuregraduatestudentshaveteachingandresearchassistantshipopportunities,othersareunabletoofferconsistentsupportinthisregard.Likewise,evenifgraduatestudentsreceivefullassistantships(12hoursaweekineachofthefallandwintersemesters),theamountearnedistypicallyinsufficienttocoveralltheirexpenses.Inaddition,lengthoftimetocompletionisanimportantconsideration,withtheaveragemaster’sdegreetakingthreeyearstocomplete,andtheaveragePhDsixyears.Furthermore,manystudentsareencouragedtoapplyforprestigiousscholarshipssuchasthosefromTri-Council,butthevalueofthescholarshipshasnotincreasedforclosetoadecade(thoughcostoflivingandtuitionhavecontinuedtorise),andthenumberofawardshasnotkeptupwiththeincreasingnumberofstudentsingraduateschool,makingitmorechallengingtoreceiveanawardthatwillprovidelessfinancialsupportthanitdidpreviously.Unclearcommunicationfromdepartmentscanfurtherexacerbatethesituation,withstudentswhoapplyformajorscholarshipsgenerallylosingtheremainderoftheirfundingpackage,leavingthemwonderingwhytheyarepenalizedforputtingsignificanteffortintoapplyingforascholarshipwhentheycouldhavefocusedontheirresearchandstudies.Duringourdiscussions,manygraduatestudentsindicatedthatthislackofconsistent,predictable,andsufficientfundingisaseriousissueaffectingtheirhealthandwellness,theirabilitytoconductqualityresearch,andtheirexperienceattheUofA.Inaddition,internationalstudentsareaparticularlyvulnerablepopulationwithrespecttofinancialmatters.Forexample,weknowthattheydisproportionatelyaccessbothUniversityandGSAsourcesofadditionalsupport(includingGSAEmergencyBursariesandGSAChildCareGrants).CurrentConsultationsMostrecently,wehavereleasedtwosurveysusingGoogleFormstograduatestudents(onethroughab-GPAC,ourgraduateprovinciallobbygroup,andtheseconddevelopedbytheGSA)togainabetterunderstandingofthethoughtscurrentgraduatestudentshaveontuitionandfundingingeneral,andontheincreasestointernationalstudenttuitionasproposedbytheUofA.Graduatestudentshavetakenbothsurveysquiteseriously,withover1,200(n=1,227)graduatestudentsoftheapproximate17,500inAlbertarespondingtodatetothefirstsurvey(781fromtheUofA)sinceNovember18th,andover250(n=251)respondingbetweenNovember29thandDecember3rdtothesecondsurvey.Whilethesamplemaybebiasedbasedonstudentsself-selectingtorespond(surveyfatiguewasexpressedbyonestudent),demographicquestionsindicatediversityofsamplesbetweendepartments,gender,anddegreeprograms.Surveyquestionscollectedbothquantitativeandqualitativedata(resultsavailableuponrequest).OfthestudentswhohaverepliedtotheUofAspecificsurvey,193areinternationalstudents(of2,527;7.6%),10arepermanentresidents(of703;1.4%),and48aredomesticstudents(of4,256;1.1%).Open-endedcommentsgenerallycenteredaroundideassuchas:

• alackofsufficientfundingforgraduatestudents• unexpectedfinancialcostsand/orincreasescancausesignificantdistressandhardship• noprovisioninthecurrentproposalforgrandfatheringcurrentstudents• consultationwithstudentsseemspointlessastheUniversitywilldowhatitwantsdespitewhatstudentssay• theUniversitydoesnotseemtorecognizethatgraduatestudentsarethe‘smallestfish’andavulnerablepopulation• dramaticallyincreasinginternationalstudenttuitionwillimpactstudentdiversity,astheinternationalstudentpopulationwill

decreaseoronlywealthystudentswillbeabletoaffordtocometotheUofA• ratherthanassessingitselfsolelyincomparisontootherinstitutions,theUniversityhastheopportunityandcapacitytobeatrue

leaderingraduateeducation• concernsabouttheimpactofrisingcostswithoutequalabilitytoaccessfinancialsupports


6

UofASurveyResultsPart1:ResponsetoProposedIncreasesinInternationalGraduateStudentTuition

Acrossallstudentswhoreplied,only5%agreedorstronglyagreedwiththeinternationalstudenttuitionproposal,while89%eitherdisagreedorstronglydisagreed.Ofthe14studentsthatsupportedtheproposal,10weredomesticstudentsorpermanentresidents,and4wereinternationalstudents.Lookingspecificallyatthe193internationalstudentswhorespondedtothefirstquestion(Figure1.1),only2%ofstudentsagreedwiththeproposal,whileanoverwhelming96%ofstudentsdisagreedorstronglydisagreed.Ingeneral,internationalstudentswhowillbethemostimpactedbythechangeswereclearlynotinfavouroftheproposal.

3%2% 5%

17%

72%

1%

Figure1.IsupporttheproposalregardingincreasestointernaOonalgraduatestudenttuiOonasoutlined(251responses).

Stronglyagree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Stronglydisagree

Don'tknow

2%2%

16%

80%

Figure1.1.IsupporttheproposalregardingincreasestointernaOonalgraduatestudenttuiOonasoutlined(193responsesbyinternaOonalgraduatestudents).

Stronglyagree

Neutral

Disagree

Stronglydisagree


7

Whenaskedifinternationalstudenttuitionshouldbehigherthandomesticstudenttuition(Figure2),23%ofrespondentswereinfavourofthisproposal,whiletheremaining77%wereneutralordisagreed.Ofthosethatwereinfavour,23weredomesticstudents,2werepermanentresidents,and28wereinternationalstudents.Inthosethatwerenotinfavour,11weredomesticstudents,4werepermanentresidents,and109wereinternationalstudents.

Onerespondentcommented:“Itwouldbefairifdomesticpeople/familypaytaxforalongtimeandtakethelowertuitionfee.However,itdoesn’tmeantheinternationalstudentshouldbetreatedasATMmachinetobalancethedeficitoftheuniversity.Andactually,ourwageasTA/RAisnotfairlyincreasedastheincrementoftheAlbertanminimumwageortheincreaseoftuitionfee.AndIthinkiftheexecutivesoftheuniversitycannotcontroltheirbudgetprettywell,theyshouldfeelashamedandpaybythemselvesratherthanjustunfairlyincreasethetuitionforthestudent.Iunderstandthetuitionwillriseupoveraperiodoftimebuthowaboutourwage,whichmaynotmaintainasimilarleveloflivingcost,whichisabigproblem,andmaydamagethereputationoftheschool.”Withrespecttoaquestionaskingifcurrentgraduatestudentsequatedthecostofagraduateprogramwiththequalityoftheeducationoffered,28%agreed,14%wereneutral,and57%disagreed(Figure3).

6%

17%

13%

24%

40%

Figure2.IbelievethatinternaOonalgraduatestudenttuiOonshouldbehigherthanthatpaidbydomesOcstudentsandPermanentResidents

(251responses).

Stronglyagree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Stronglydisagree

5%

23%

14%

21%

36%

1%

Figure3.IequatethecostofagraduateprogramwiththequalityoftheeducaOonoffered(251responses).

Stronglyagree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Stronglydisagree

Don'tknow


8

Graduatestudents’commentsincludedthoughtssimilarto“Ijudgethequalityofeducationbasedon:theUniversity’spositioninworldwiderankings;theimpactfactorofjournalsinwhichmysupervisorpublishespapers;thefacilitiesandequipmentwhichmygrouphasaccessto,includingthroughcollaborations;thenumberofcollaborationsinmydepartment,andwithwhomthesecollaborationsexist.WhenIappliedtouniversities,Ididnotoncelookatthecostofthegraduateprogramasanindicationofthequalityofeducation.”Anothercommented:“Theuniversityshouldaimtoattracthighqualitystudentsratherthanwealthyones.Theuniversityshouldbeanopeninstitutionwiththegoalofprovidingahighqualityeducationasopposedtomakingmoney.Ofcourse,moneyisrequiredtoprovideservicesandpaysalariesandwages.However,boostingtheuniversity’sreputationbyincreasingtuitionisnotjustifiableorsupportedbyevidence.WhenconsideringwhichuniversitiestoapplytoformyPhD,Isawarelativelylowtuitioncostasapositiveratherthanawarningsignalofapoorqualityinstitution.”Manystudentsalsomadecomparisonstothecostoftuitioninothercountries.Forinstance,“Thecostofgraduateprogramhasnothingtodowiththequality,infact,thecountrieswiththebesteducationsystemaroundtheworldhaveentirelyatuition-freeeducationforbothinternationalanddomesticstudents.IseethissuddeninteresttoraisethefeesforinternationalstudentsasameanstodeterlessaffluentfamiliesfromenrollingattheUniversityofAlberta.Thisproposalisacompleteblowtotheuniversityandtheentirecountry.Internationalgraduatestudentsarealreadystressedwiththefeestheyarepayingatthemoment,increasingthefeeswithoutpropermeasurestosupplementwhatinternationalstudentsaremakingperyearwillnotonlyaffecttheperformanceofstudentsbutalsoaffectthestandingoftheuniversityamongitspeers.IwasfortunatetohaveafullpackagedscholarshiptostudyatSaudiArabiaduringmyMScandIbelieveCanadaisinbettereconomicsituationthanmostcountriesintheworld.IfSaudiArabiawereabletocoverallinternationalstudentexpensesincludingairwaytickets,subsidizedmeals,freeaccommodation,freetextbooksandsomanybenefits,IseenoreasonwhyCanadacan’taffordthat.Theraiseinthistuitionwillonlybenefitthemanagementoftheschoolnotthestudentsortheentirestandingoftheuniversity.”Forthefourthquestion,only15%ofstudentsagreedorstronglyagreedwiththestatementabouttheUniversityclearlycommunicationtuitionchangestointernationalstudents,with59%ofstudentsdisagreeingorstronglydisagreeing.

Severalcommentssuchas“Idonotcompletelyunderstandtheinternationalgraduateadjustmentproposal:aretheysuggestinganadditional4000$tobeaddedtotheinternationaltuition?WouldtheSpecialTuitionAward[rebate]begrantedtoEVERYinternationalgraduatestudentin2017-2018?Whataboutafterwards?”highlightstheconfusionovertheplanandlackofclarityfortheproposal.Anotherstudentcommented:“Iamfarmoreconcernedaboutthe$4kpaymentthanthe3%.OneexpectsanincreaseinlinewithCPI,butthe$4kpaymentsoundsalotliketheUniversityisactuallyintendinga40-50%stepchangeinfeestogougeinternationalstudentstome.Thatisnotconsistentwiththewelcoming,multi-culturalenvironmentthatisthecontemporaryUofA.Worse-itsetsaveryuncomfortableprecedent.”

4%11%

21%

31%

28%

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Figure4.IthinkthattheUniversityclearlycommunicateschangestointernaOonaltuiOonfeestograduatestudents(250responses).

Stronglyagree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Stronglydisagree

Don'tknow


9

Part2:GeneralFeedbackWhenaskedaboutwhatfactorscontributedtotheirdecisiontoattendtheUofA(Figure5),responsescouldbecategorizedintoeightgroupings,withthethreehighestpercentagesbeingsupervision/supervisor(20%),ranking(19%),andcost(18%).Programandresearchqualitywerealsoseparate,andwhencombinedwithsupervisor,assomestudentsmentioned,thiswouldaccountfor41%oftheresponses.Location(11%)wasanotherfactor,aswasfunding(7%).Inthe‘other’category,studentsincludedfamilyobligations,environmentoftheuniversity,specificfieldofinterestorthespecializations/’avenuesofstudy’,linkswithindustryandprospectivejobopportunities,andplacementofalumni.

WhenaskedifaffordabilityoftuitionwasamajorfactorindecidingtoattendtheUofA(Figure6),73%ofrespondentssaidyes.

11%

18%

7%

19%7%

20%

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4%

Figure5.WhatfactorscontributedtoyourdecisiontoaNendUAlberta(i.e.Universityranking,cost,programquality,locaOon,qualityofsupervision,etc.)(212responders/387responses)?

Locapon

Cost

Funding

Ranking

ResearchQuality

Supervision

Program

Other

73%

27%

Figure6.WastheaffordabilityoftuiOonatUAlbertaamajorfactorinyourdecisiontopursuegraduatestudieshere(249responses)?

Yes

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10

InFigure6.1,yesandnoresponseswereassessedbystatus–domesticstudent,permanentresident,andinternationalstudent.Ofthosethatresponded‘yes’tothequestionabove,internationalstudentswereanoverwhelmingmajorityoftherespondents(over80%).Inthe‘no’group,41%weredomesticstudentsand55%wereinternationalstudents.

Whenbreakingdownaffordabilitybydegree(Figure6.2),asimilartrendwasobservedinboththeyesandnogroups,withcourse-basedmastershavingthelowestpercentage,followedbythesis-basedmasters,withPhDstudentshavingthehighestpercentage.

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Figure6.1.WastheaffordabilityoftuiOonatUAlbertaamajorfactorinyourdecisiontopursuegraduatestudieshere[249responses;yes-181,no-68]

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Figure6.2.WastheaffordabilityoftuiOonatUAlbertaamajorfactorinyourdecisiontopursuegraduatestudieshere[249responses;yes-181,no-68]

Course-BasedMasters

Thesis-BasedMasters

Doctoral


11

ThetrendsbetweenFigures6,6.1and6.2indicatethatforthestudentswhowereconcernedabouttheaffordabilityoftheirdegree,manyarethesis-basedinternationalstudents,whileanothergroupofthesis-basedstudentssplitmoreevenlybetweendomesticandinternationalstudentsdonothaveseriousfinancialconstraints.Studentshadanumberofcommentsaboutaffordabilityofgraduateeducationincluding:

• “NeithermyparentsnorIarewealthy.AffordabilityoftuitionwastheentirereasonIchoseCanadaovertheUSandtheUK.”• “WhenresearchingtheUniversityofAlberta,Ifoundthecosttobesimilartothatofmypreviousuniversity.Itwasaffordableand

acceptabletome.Ifthecosthadbeenlower,Iwouldhavevieweditasapositive.Iwouldnothavebeenworriedthatthequalitywaspoor.Ifthecosthadbeenhigher,itwouldhavemademeconsiderotheruniversitiesmorestrongly.Averyhighcostwouldhavedeterredmefromapplying.”

• “Iwasacceptedto6CanadianuniversitiesincludingUofTandUBC.IselectedUofAbecausethetuitionandcostoflivingwerelowercomparedtoothers.AffordabilityisextremelyimportantforinternationalstudentsaswehavetocarryextracostsmanyCanadiansdonothavetoworryabout,suchashugerelocationexpenses,highinternationaltuitionfees,rent.”

• “Yes,thatwasthenumberonereasonespeciallyIhavefamilycomingwithme.Iftuitionisincreased,thatwilldefinitelylowermyinterestsinUofA.MostUSschoolsofferfulltuitioncoverageforgraduateassistantswhereasUofAdoesn’t.Andnow,UofAistellingusthatitwillincreaseburdenoninternationalstudents.Areyouawareofhowmuchpercentageinternationalstudentstakeinthewholeschool?Ifso,thisisahugemistake.MyalmamaterUniversityofMinnesotareducedinternationalstudent’stuitionby8,000in2008whichistheyearIstartedtoattend.Thisboostedinternationalenrollmentaswellasit’sfameforitsprogramsincestudentswithstrongacademicabilitiesandfinancialissuesfounditveryattractivecomparedtootherschools.IthinkUofAislookingatwrongsideofitsfinancialproblem.”

• “Idon’tbelieveagraduatestudentwhoismakinggoodcontributionstoauniversityresearchgroupshouldhavetospendverymuchmoneyontuition(ifanyatall).Toohightuitionisastrongdeterrentwhichpreventsmanystudentswhoarepassionateaboutresearchfrompursuinghigherlevelsofeducation.”

• “Asaninternationalstudentaffordabilitywasextremelyimportantasnotonlytuitionhadtobeconsiderbutlivingexpenses,schoolrelatedcostsforthreechildren,afterschoolcare,food,transportationetc.”

• “Humanshavebasicneeds.IfIhavetoworryaboutrentandfood,Imostcertainlydon’tcareaboutmyresearchandwork.It’sthatsimple!Wearenotanimalsinalab,wearehumanswhoshouldlivewelltobuildthefuture.”

• “If[the]IGAisimplementedwithoutguaranteedfinancialsupportbeyond2017-2018,Imayneedtodroptheprogramasmystipendisnotsufficientevennow.ThereisnomeanstopaytheIGAfeeof$4000/year.”


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Whenaskediftheyhadhadfinancialconcernsduringtheirgraduatestudies,94%ofstudentsrespondedyes(Figure7).Only14studentsreplied“no”tohavingfinancialconcerns.

OfthestudentswhorespondedyesinFigure7,90%ofthemalsoreportedthattheirfinancialsituationhadalsocausedthemsignificantstressintheirgraduatestudies(Figure7.1).

Commentsontheimpactoffinancialstressongraduatestudentsincluded:

• “Onehastohavemoneytogotoschool,gettingmoneytakestimeawayfromstudyinginmydegreefieldandworkingonmythesis,puttingmebehindandforcingmetoneedmoremoney,whichtakesawayfrommyschooling....etc...Aswell“canIaffordtoeatthisweek?”isastressfulquestionforanyone.”

• “ThecostoflivinginEdmontoncanbeexpensive,especiallywhenyoufactorinchildcaresoyoualwayshavetolookforadditionalsourcesofrevenuetomakesureyoucanstayafloat.”

6%

47%

47%

Figure7.HaveyoubeenconcernedaboutyourfinancialsituaOonwhileyouhavebeeningraduatestudies(249responses)?

No

Yes-afewpmes

Yes-manypmes

10%

49%

41%

Figure7.1.HasyourfinancialsituaOoncausedyousignificantstresswhileyouhavebeeningraduatestudies?

[234StudentswithFinancialConcerns]

No

Yes-afewpmes

Yes-manypmes


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• “Returningtofull-timegraduatestudiesafteraperiodinindustryhasbeenstressful.Ihavemoresympathyforstudents’financialsituationsnowthanIeverhave.Planningforfull-timestudiesrequirescarefulbudgeting,andunforeseencostsputstudiesatrisk.”

• “Couldnotattendmydad’sfuneralbecauseIcouldnotpayforanemergencyflight,developedstressandanxietydisorders.”• “EvenasafundedstudentIstruggletopaymybillsandnotputmyselffurtherintodebt.Schoolandthecostoflivinghereisso

expensive/high.”• “Iamnotfromarichfamilyandthecurrenttuitionandexpenseoflivingarealreadyhighforme.Plus,myprogramprovidedlittle

financialsupport.ThatiswhyIfeelstressedallthetime.”• “WheneverIamintroublewithmysalary,Ihaveundergoneinmentalstress,Icouldnotconcentrateonmystudiesand

research.”• “Agraduateteaching/researchassistantsalary(minustuition)isbelowthepovertylineinAlberta.IfIhadn’twonacoupleof

scholarshipsmyfinancialsituationwouldstillbeprecarious.”• “Internationalgraduatestudentsfacegreaterdifficultiesinsecuringfunding.Itdoesn’tmakesensetomakethemthescapegoat

ofanyfinancialshortfalltheuniversityisfacing.ThiswouldresultinonlymoreaffluentstudentsconsideringgraduatestudiesattheUofAlbertaanddeprivesimilarlyormoretalentedbutlessaffluentstudentsfromattendingUofAlberta.Intheend,itwouldalsobealosstotheUniversity.”

• “Gradstudiesarealreadystressingforinternationalstudentsthatdonothaveafamilytosupportthemeconomicallyandmentally,neitheraclearfutureinCanadaaftergraduation.ThefactthatwehavetopaymorethanaCanadianwhileweareworkingasmuchorevenmorethanthemisreallydiscouraging;theUniversityshouldtrytostayinthetop100UniversitiesintheworldjustusingCanadianstudents,let’sseehowthisworks.Iconstantlysavedmoneybyeatinglowcost,unhealthyfoodtosaveenoughtogetbackhomeonceinawhile.”

• “Onceoneofmycontractswasnotsigned,soIdidnotreceiveapaycheckforonepayperiod.ThispreventedmefrombeingabletopaymyrentandIhadtotakeoutanemergencyloan.Itisstressfulwhenmysalaryisonlyhighenoughtolivepaychecktopaycheck.Increasingtuitioncostswouldgreatlyincreasethispressure.”

• “ComingfromCuba(IstartedmyprogramasinternationalstudentandIamnowpermanentresident)Idon’thaverichparentswhocouldhelpmetoaffordeducationand/orthecostsoflivinginCanada.Ireceiveasalarysupportfrommydepartmentandsupervisorof22000CADayear.ThismeansthateverymonthIampaid1800CAD.Howeverwhentuitionfeesaredeductedmonthlythisisreducedtoalmosthalf(1000CADintotal).ConsideringthatatleastIneedtopayrentandbuyfoodeverymonth,thisamountishardlyjustenough,sometimesnotenough.”

• “TherehavebeentimeswhenIcouldn’taffordtoeat.”• “Asaninternationalstudentmovingawayfromhomeishardenough,andthenthemostimportantissueisfinancialsupport.

Whenuniversitydecidestoincreasetuition,I’malmostcertaineveryone’snumberoneissuebecomesbudget,andfocusismovedfromresearchandstudytofiguringouthowtosurviveandgeneratemoney.”


14

IssueswiththeInternationalStudentTuitionProposalLookingatsomestatistics,theUofAisthefourthrankedCanadianuniversityinvariousCanadianandinternationalrankings(behindMcGill,UofT,andUBC).Italsohasthesecondhighestpercentageofinternationalstudentsat34%(internationalgraduatestudentpercentageshaverangedfrom32-36%since2011),andsecondlowesttuitionforinternationalgraduatestudentsoftheU15schools(UofShasbothslightlylowertuitionandslightlyhigherpercentageofinternationalgraduatestudents,Figure8).

Whileitisbeingarguedthatthe‘low’costofourtuitionisnegativelyaffectingtheperceptionofthequalityofaUofAgraddegreeinothercountries(andthereforewearenotattractingthe‘best’students),wedisagree.Webelieveweshouldbecelebrating–not“correcting”,ourstrengths,inthattheUofAprovidesaqualityeducationatanaffordablerate,withadiversepopulationcomposedofstudentsfrombothvariousnationalitiesandsocioeconomicstatus.Avisionaryapproachwouldbetousethesestrengthsinmorecreativemarketingstrategies.Giventhestatisticsabove,graduatestudentshaveseriousreservationsconcerningtheproposalforchangesininternationalstudenttuition,andinparticularthestickerpriceincrease.1.LackofConsultationFirst,webelievethatifanewwayofcalculatinginflation(the‘AcademicPriceIndex’)isgoingtobeusedandappliedwithintheUniversity,theBoardofGovernorsshouldhavetheopportunitytohaveaformaldiscussiononthistopictoassessthebenefitsandrepercussionsofitsuse,beforeapplyingittoaveryvulnerablegroup.Second,whiletheGSAhasbeenworkingdiligentlytoconsultwithourconstituentsandprovincialadvocacygrouponthekeyissuesoftuitionandfundingforgraduatestudents,thetimelinesatplayhavemadeitdifficulttodothisinarigorous,appropriateway.Atthispoint,

McGill

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Figure8.PercentInternaOonalGraduateStudentsAgainstAverageTuiOon


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oneofourmainconcernswiththisproposalisthelackofmeaningfulconsultationwithstudents,givenwewerefirstinformedabouttheproposalonOctober28inaTuitionandBudgetAdvisoryCommittee(TBAC)meeting,andgivenawrittendocumentonNovember7.TheGSAandSUwerenotprovidedwithsufficienttimetoreviewandconsultbeforetheproposalwasshepherdedthroughthegovernanceprocesses(GFCAPCandBFPC),wheretheproposalcontinuedtoevolveineachsession.DuringtheBFPCmeeting,theBoardChairaskedwhatkindofconsultationtheGSAwouldliketosee,andthenattheendofthemeetingrequestedtheadditionofamotionforfurtherconsultationwithstudents.Duringthemeeting,thehesitationoverthequestionaboutwhatwewantedtoseewithrespecttomoreconsultation,wasbecause,ifAdministrationchoosestointerpret‘consultation’asmerelyinformingstudentsofdecisionsalreadymade,thenwehavealreadybeenconsulted.Howeverwetakeissuewiththeideathatthiscantrulybeconsideredconsultationinanymeaningfulsense.Itis,rather,informingandenablingtheUniversitytocrossoffanitemonachecklistwithoutengagingintruedialogueanddiscussion.OnDecember12,whentheGSACouncilwillhaveaspecialmeetingatwhichtheProvostwillbeinattendance,thereisnodoubtthatmemberswillhavealonglistofchallengingquestionstoask.Iamfrustratedhowever,asthelikelyrealityisthatnoneofthosequestionsorconcernsarelikelytosparkseriousconsiderationfromAdministration.2.LackofRationaleWeattheGSAarefrustratedthattheProvostandPresidenthavefailedtoprovideaclearrationalewithanyquantifiableresearchandassociateddocumentationtosupporttheargumentofimprovedperceivedqualitywiththestickerpriceinflation,oranyassessmentofhowthisstickerpriceinflationmayhaveadetrimentaleffectonthediversityofourgraduatestudentcommunity.AswasdiscussedintheBFPCmeeting,ifanystudenttriedtohandinapaperwithlimitedtonosupportfortheirargumentotherthan‘generalmarketingwisdom,’theywouldreceiveafailinggrade.Thatitshouldbeusedbysenioradministrationasarationaletosupportthisproposalasitmakesitswaythroughtheimportantchannelsofcollegialgovernanceistroubling.ThegraphthatAdministrationdidshowforthefirsttimeattheBFPCmeetingofhowtuitionhasincreasedattheUofAoverthepast~15years,whilethenumberofinternationalstudentshasrisen,ismisleadingandoffersanexampleofflawedcorrelation.First,thenumbersrefertoundergraduatestudents,whichareaverydifferentdemographicfromgraduatestudents,anduseverydifferentcriteriainselectinganinstitutionfortheirgraduatedegreesasshowninFigure5,startingwithsupervisor/program,rankingsoftheinstitution(whichareoftenlinkedtopercentageofinternationalfacultyandstudents),costsandfundingpackages,andlocation.Second,therearenumerousotherfactorsatplayinwhythepopulationofinternationalundergraduatestudentshasrisenoverthepastfifteenyears,andtosayitisdirectlycorrelatedwithtuitionincreasesisoverlysimplistic.Third,evenifoneweretosuspendjudgmentandaccepttheargumentthatmorestudentsareapplyingtotheUofAsimplybecauseofincreasesintuitionfees,thequestionremainsastowhethertheseapplicantsareconvincedthathighercostsequalshigherqualityoriftheyaremerelymoreaffluent.Whilesomestudentdoequatecostwith‘higherquality’programsasindicatedbythesurveyresults,thesurveyalsodemonstratesthatthemajorityofcurrentinternationalgraduatestudentsdidnotpicktheUofAbasedoncost,andmanywouldnothavecometotheUofAifthecostoftuitionwerehigher.Applyingconsumeristmethodsdoesnotaccordwiththevaluesofourinstitution(and,indeed,thevaluesofhighereducationmorebroadly).Ifwearecallingourselvesaninstitutiondedicatedtothepublicgood,webelieveweshouldcontinuetooffereducationfortheacademicallyqualified,includingthosewithfinancialandotherbarrierstoaccessingpost-secondary.‘Publicgood’canmeansolelyEdmontonorsolelyAlbertabut,usingamorecollectiveviewpoint,‘publicgood’canencompasstheglobe,indicatingthevitalroleinstitutesofhighereducationplayinchangingtheworld.Untilwetakestepstoofferasustainablelivingfundingpackagetograduatestudentstoensuretheycanlivereasonably,inflatedtuitionfeesmaybecomeabarrierforhighlyqualifiedpotentialgraduatestudentswhowillnotbeabletoevenconsidertheUofAbecause(onthesurface)it’sjustanotherinstitutiontheycannotaffordtoattend.TheGSAisnotaloneinhavingseriousmisgivingsaboutthisproposal.TheProvostrecentlypresentedtotheFGSRCouncil,andwhileheaskedforinputonhowtorollouttheplan,whathegotbackwasanumberofquestions(whichhadtobecutoff)fromgraduatestudentandfacultyCouncilmemberswho,liketheGSA,failedtounderstandthevalueoftheproposal,therationaleunderpinningit,andareconcernedaboutthelongtermimplicationsoftheproposal.


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3.AffordabilityofaGraduateDegreeWebelievethatcurrentlyenrolledandfutureinternationalgraduatestudentswillbeveryadverselyaffectedbythisproposal,astheycanincursignificantfinancialcoststoaffordaqualityeducation,whileleavingtheirfamiliesandsocialsupportsystemsbehind.Lackofsufficient,stableandpredictablefundingcanhavemajorimplications,fromnotbeingabletoaffordnutritiousfood,toconstantlyworryingaboutpayingrent,totryingtofindworkoffcampus(whichcanextendthetimetocompletion).Asmanystudentslivepaychequestopaycheques,theydonothaveresourcesforemergencies(egamedicalordentalemergencyorthedeathofafamilymemberathomethatnecessitatescostlytravel).AdisproportionatenumberofinternationalgraduatestudentsalreadyfacefinancialchallengesattheUniversity,andhavehadtoseekemergencyfundinganduseresourcessuchastheCampusFoodBank,wherearound50%oftheusersaregraduatestudents,despitebeingcloserto1/5ofthestudentpopulation.Manycameherewithfinancialplansinplacetogetthemthroughtheirdegreeprogramsandthissuddenincreasecouldbeincrediblydamagingtotheirqualityoflifeandtherebytotheirabilitytoconductproductiveandexemplary,nolessgroundbreaking,workintheirprograms.Inparticular,onemustconsiderthattheyareconstrainedbylimitationsonapplyingforgovernmentfundingandinseekingemploymentinordertoearnextrafunds(likewise,outsideemploymentisoftenalessthanidealsolutionasitcanextendprogramcompletiontimes).Somestudentsalsocomefromculturesthatdiscourageaskingforsupport,and,assuch,financialconstraintscouldcreateothersortsofuntenablesituations.Webelieveanylargeincreasesintuitionwillbeexceptionallyburdensome,especiallybecausethereisnouniformandpredictablefundingacrosscampusthatensuresareasonablestandardofliving.

InapplyingAPItograduatestudentfees,thisfurtherselectivelyimpactsinternationalstudentswhoreceiveastipend.DuringthelastroundofCollectiveBargaining,bothsidesusedCPIasametricofinflation,andthusa2%increaseinsalaryforthesecondyearwasviewedasreasonablebyboththeUniversityandtheGSA.However,applicationof3.02%tofeeswithoutasimilarincreaseinsalarydisproportionatelyimpactsinternationalgraduatestudents.Inaddition,ifthisplanmovesahead,theGSAandmanystudentsandfacultyareveryconcernedthatthereisnofirmcommitmenttoensuringtherebateisguaranteedinthelongrunandthroughoutastudent’sprogram,especiallygiventhecommentthatrebatesmaybere-examinedforcourse-basedgraduateprograms.Withoutguaranteesthatthisisindeedsolelya‘stickerprice’increase,weareconcernedthatitmaybediscontinuedinfutureyears(firstforcourse-basedmasters,andthenforallinternationalstudentsifthereisaparticularlytryingyear).ThisproposaleasilywentthroughGFCAPCdespitestudentobjectionsaboutlackofconsultationorclearrationale,likelyasstudentsareminoritiesonmanyuniversitycommittees.Assuch,thisrebatecouldeasilyberemovedforcourse-basedstudents,againinspiteofstudentobjections.4.ImpactonUniversityReputationTheUniversityappearstohaveadecentunderstandingfromtheRegistrar’sresearchandreportsonhowtorecruitundergradstudents,butdoesnotappeartohaveastrategyforrecruitmentofgraduatestudents.BasedontheresultsofboththeUofAsurvey,andtheoneouttoallgraduatestudentsintheprovince,factorswhichmostinfluencedecisionstoattendtheUofAinclude:thestrengthofitsprogramsandqualityofpotentialsupervisors,theavailablefundingopportunities(onesthatbothoffsettuitionandfeesandprovideareasonablestandardofliving,especiallyforinternationalstudents),thereputationoftheUniversity(bothintermsofrankingsandthequalityofresearch),andlocation.Manygraduatestudents,bothdomesticandinternationalchosethisinstitutionafterathoroughanalysiscomparingoftenbetween3and10thoughsometimesupwardsof25ormoreinstitutions.Forthosewehavespokento,affordabletuitionandeaseofimmigrationareseenasassets,especiallyamongChineseandIraniangraduatestudents.Manyalsoappreciatetheculturaldiversityofourcampusandbelievethisissomethingthatcouldbethreatenedbytheimplementationofaninflatedtuitionratethatassumesadirectlinkbetweencostandquality.Asthenumberonepointwasoftenaboutprogramorsupervisorofchoice,highlightingourareasofresearchandinfusingfundingintothoseareassuchasthroughthesignatureareasofresearchisactuallylikelytobeaneffectivestrategytoattract‘better’students.However,priortoattemptingtochangeanythingintermsofrecruitment,itwouldmakealotmoresensetodoathoroughreviewofgraduatestudentfundingtounderstandatadepartmentallevelthekindsofsupportsavailabletostudents.Thisproposalusesthelanguageaboutmostthesis-basedstudentsaresupportedbytheirprofessorsfortheinternationaldifferentialfee,butwehavenoeasy


17

waytoconfirmordenythisstatementduetothelackofdataaboutgradstudents.Itistrueincertaindepartmentsorfaculties,but,thatmayalsoonlybeofferedforalimitedtimecomparedtotherealistictimetocompletionforgradstudents,whichis3yearsforaMastersstudentandabout6yearsforaPhD.Asgradstudentsareclearlyexpressingadesireforsustainablelivingfundingpackagestiedtothecostoflivingandtuition,beingabletoarticulatetheamountofsupportalreadyofferedwouldseemlikeareasonablestartingpointbeforediscussingsuddenincreasesinprogramcosts.Furthermore,anartificialinflationoffeesthatwillnotevenbemarketedouttostudentsseemslikeaverypoorstrategytorecruit‘better’students,whichinitselfisnotclearlydefinedforgradstudents.AccordingtoarecenttimetocompletionreportbytheDeanofFGSR,GPAisnotclearlycorrelatedwithcompletionratesforgradstudents.Ifwedowanttoattractagreaternumberofstudentshere,therearevariousmarketingstrategiesthatauniversitycanusetoappealtostudents;qualityisoneaspect,butsocouldguaranteedfundingpackagestoallgraduatestudentsor,evenhighlightingthatwedon’tinflateourfeeslikeotheruniversitiesdo.TherearelotsofothercleverandcreativestrategiestheUniversitycouldusetotargetinternationalgraduatestudents.Atthispoint,someinternationalstudentsfeelangryanddisrespectedbytheUniversity;thattheyarebeingusedas‘cashcows’toaddressthebudgetshortfalls.Whenthishappens,theUniversityhasfailedthesestudentsanditself,bycreatinganegativeexperiencethatmayhavelonglastingrepercussions.Studentsareonlystudentsforashortamountoftimebeforetheybecomealumni.Apoorornegativeexperienceisunlikelytocreateanengagedalumni,meaningfuturestudentswillnotbenefitfromtheirknowledgeandskills,theyareunlikelytodonatetotheuniversity,andtheycouldevendamagetheuniversity’sreputationabroad,byspeakingagainsttheUofAtofriends,family,andotherstudentsintheirhomecountries.ProposedSolutions1.GrandfatheringCurrentStudentsTodate,Administrationhasrefusedtoconsidergrandfatheringcurrentstudentsonthegroundsthatitwouldcosttoomuchtochangethefeeassessmentsystem.However,theyaremorethanwillingtoimplementafeefortheconvolutedcostneutralstickerpriceincrease,whichmaybemoretimeintensiveandproblematictoinstitutefromafeeassessmentperspective(forexample,ifthissystemcontinueslong-term,itwouldaddyetanotherlayerofhavingtoremovethestickerpriceinflation,multiplythetuitionbyAPI,re-addthestickerpriceincrease,andthenre-applytherebate).Iftheyarewillingtoputresourcesintodevelopingtheinfrastructurerequiredforthelatterschemewithoutclearbenefits,itseemsunreasonabletostatethatitwouldcosttoomuchtograndfathercurrentstudents,whoarefacingincreasesthatcouldrunashighas$1,300/year.Asindicatedbytheresponsesfromthesurvey,studentsarealreadysignificantlystressedbytheirfinancialsituation,andincreasingtheirfeespartwaythroughadegreeprogramwillfurtherexacerbatethisstress,andlikelyleadtofurthermentalhealthissues(whichwilldrawonuniversityresourcesthatarealreadygoingtobeunderfundedthisyearduetocurrentlackofbackfillingfromMNIFs).Givenmoststudentsarealreadylivingatorbelowthepovertyline,thisproposaldoesnotseeminthebestinterestsofstudents–and,inthecontextofourcampuscommunity,whichvaluescollegiality,itistroublingthattheneedsofafoundationalsegmentofourpopulation(students)arenotreceivingmoreconsideration.WebelievecurrentstudentsshouldbegrandfatheredintothesystematCPIratherthanchargedsignificantlyhigherfeeswithoutcommensurateincreasesinfinancialsupport.Inaddition,giventhegovernmentiscurrentlyreviewingtuitionandfundingintheprovinceaswespeak,itseemsinappropriatetosignificantlychangingthefeestructure,whensignificantchangeswillhappeninthenextyear.2)ALiteratureReviewoftheRationaleUnderpinningThisIncrease(toenabletheBoardtothoroughlyreviewpotentialaffectstotheUniversity)

• Provideliteratureonbothsidesoftheargument,includinganassessmentbasedonsocioeconomicstatusofpotentialapplicants;• Focusontheimpactsofthiskindorproposalonstudentsindifferenttypesofgraduateprograms–thesisbased,coursebased,

andprofessionalprograms;


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• Areviewofthefactorsthatgraduatestudentsusetochoosetheirinstitution;• Areviewofwhatashiftindemographicwouldmeanintermsofsupportsandrequirementsforthesestudentsonourcampus• Areviewofeffectivemarketingstrategiestoattractgraduatestudents;and• AreviewofgraduatestudenttuitionandfundingacrossCanadaandwithanyappropriateinternationalcomparators.

Foreachoftheseareasitwouldbeimportanttoreportseparatelytheliteratureforbothdomesticandinternationalstudents.Thisdocumentwouldneedtobepreparedbyaneutralandindependentthirdparty.3)AReviewofGraduateStudentFundingThereisanoverwhelmingneedforbetterfundingpackages.Whyisitconsideredunacceptable,exceptattheUniversity,tonotprovidefinancialsupporttohighlyqualifiedindividualsforgroundbreakingandnovelresearchandrelatedactivities?Whiletheargumentthatitisa‘privilege’toattendgraduateschoolisoftenraised,thereisalsoahugeopportunitycostforreturningorremaininginschool.Manystudentsreceivelittletonofunding,andworryconstantlyaboutfinances.Anotherpieceofpaperdoesnottrulyjustifytheenormouspressurestudentsfacetoday,tryingtobalancetheirresearch/schoolexpectationswithstayingafloatfinancially,andmaintainingevenaresemblanceofwork-lifebalance.Manyofthegraduatestudentsweassist,andsomeofthestudentsinthesurvey,havehadmentalhealthandmentalillnessesbroughtonorexacerbatedbytheirgraduatestudies.Basedontheamountofstress,andthelackofacknowledgmentorvaluethatgraduatedegreesappeartoreceivebothwithintheuniversityandinsociety,itmakesitchallengingtorecommendtostudentstodoagraduatedegree.Onewaytobegintomakegraduatedegreesmoreaccessibleistoensurefinancialsupportforallstudents.Asaninitialstep,thiswouldrequireareviewofcurrentfundingandfinancialsupportofferedtograduatestudents,todeterminehowstudentsarefunded,howmuch,andforhowlong,andtheextentofstudentsnotreceivingsufficientsupport.Oncethatinformationisknown,aconversationcanthenoccuronhowtoensureallgraduatestudentscanhaveareasonablestandardofliving.4)AnMOUSignedBetweentheUniversityandGraduateStudents’AssociationThattheRebateWillContinuetobeOfferedForAllStudentsasLongastheStickerPriceInflationof$4,000(ormore)IsInPlaceWhiletherehasbeenoralagreementthatthestickerpricewillbecostneutral,andthiswasamendedintheBFPCmotion,therehasbeennoofficialdocumentationensuringtherebatewillcontinuesolongasthestickerpriceinflationisinplace.GiventhatoneoftheearlierTBACmeetingsmentionedthepossibilityofremovingtherebateforcourse-basedstudents,thereisnoguaranteethatitwouldn’tberemovedfirstforcourse-basedinternationalgraduatestudents,andthenforallinternationalstudentsafterthreeormoreyearsProvostleaves,andstudentsare‘normalized’totheinflatedtuitioncosts.Asdemonstratedbytheeasewithwhichtheseproposalshavepassedthroughthegovernancestructure,wewouldbeveryconcernedaboutpreventingfurtherchangesonceastickerpriceinflationisinplace,giventhe‘rebate’removalwouldnotgothroughthesamegovernancerouteastuitionincreasesdo.FinalThoughtsUltimately,theGSAbelievesthatthecreationofminimum,sustainablelivingfundingpackagesalongwitheducationandawardopportunitiesthatallowforstabilityandareasonablequalityoflifeduringgraduatestudieswillmakeusevenmoreofarecognizedleaderingraduateeducation.Intheshortterm,webelievethatthisproposalwillbedetrimentaltocurrentinternationalgraduatestudents.Inthelongterm,itmayresultinseriousunintendedconsequencesthatcoulddamagetheUniversityanditsreputation.Placingtheburdenofincreasingcostsonthemostfinanciallyconstrainedandvulnerablegroupswithoutcorrespondingfinancialsupportandcallingit‘goodgovernance’isquestionableatbest,andworrisomeataninstitutionwithastrategicplancalled‘ForthePublicGood’.TheGSArequeststhatourconcernsbeaddressedpriortothisproposalmovingforwardthroughtheBoard.

gsa council special meeting agenda - university of alberta

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