Photo submitted by the ASEC
Back Row Left to Right – Jasper Jorden (VP External, TKUSA), Jonathan Bilodeau (Executive Director, ASEC), Liam Hunter (President, SAITSA), Bilsen Xavier (President, SAKC), Savannah Snow (President, SARDP) Brennan Fuiten (VP External, SARDP).
Front Row Left to Right – Mayrane Galante (VP Academic, CSA) Niculina Jensen (VP Academic, LCSA), Jeru Lopez (VP External, SALC), Dawson Thomas (VP, SAITSA), Natalie Sarzynski (VP External, NAITSA), Hanna Hossain (Director, SAITSA).
Alberta students have urged the province to stabilize tuition, to ensure post-secondary is affordable and accessible for everyone.
The Alberta Students’ Executive Council (ASEC), an advocacy group for Alberta post-secondary students, has recommended the Government of Alberta implement a predictable tuition policy.
Jonathan Bilodeau, the executive director of the ASEC, said post-secondary tuition in Alberta needs to be predictable and affordable.
“The volatility in tuition causes real pain to Alberta students and Alberta families. It’s a barrier to attending post-secondary,” Bilodeau said.
Statistics indicate Alberta has had the highest tuition increases in the country for the past two years. Statistics Canada recorded a 5.7 per cent year-over-year increase in September, after a 6 per cent increase last year.
The ASEC spoke with elected representatives, advocating for a set increase at around 2 per cent per year.
“It’s fair, it’s predictable – it gives the institutions what they need to budget… and it gives students and families the ability to plan and budget for post-secondary,” Bilodeau said.
The ASEC provided the recommendation during the organization’s annual provincial advocacy week in November.
“We had [student] leaders from Fort McMurray all the way down to Lethbridge… We met with around 15 different MLAs and ministers to talk about the things that are important to students,” he said.
In addition to tuition stability, the student-led organization advocated for increased Indigenous student supports, meaningful student consultation and campus sexual violence policy reform.
“[The ASEC] is working to make sure that education in this province is affordable, accessible, predictable, high quality and relevant.”
Bilodeau encouraged political engagement, noting that students have the power to spark change.
“There’s important work that’s happening and it extends far beyond the post-secondary campus, but it does start there. So, engage in your community, engage with your students’ associations, engage with the people around you. Show this province that there’s a better way and that the students of this province need to be listened to.”
