CALLING ALL SFU STUDNETS!

FROM SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER, SFU HELD THEIR ANNUAL BUDGET CONSULTATIONS. These consultations aimed to give the SFU community more information about what the school’s spendings are and answer any questions the community has about the budget.

We, Tuition Freeze Now, believe that SFU’s system of consultation is faulty and undemocratic. We created our student survey to remedy this. Over the course of September and October, we talked to over 150 SFU students about tuition rates, their well being, and their understanding of how their tuition is being used. The findings were compiled in a PowerPoint that we presented to students at our Tuition Townhall. 

We want to encourage students to keep sharing their opinions. This is why our survey is ongoing — students should be engaged in this conversation. They should be allowed to change their opinions, ask for information, and constantly participate in the university. If you are an SFU student past, present, or future, please take a second to fill out our survey. 

THE SURVEY: SFU, Engage Us!

What does TFN have to say about SFU’s consultations? 

Last year, we pushed for SFU’S consultations to become actual consultation periods. We pointed out that the information the students, the SFU community, and even the Board of Governors (the board that votes on tuition rates) was limited and vague. With the amount of information available, it was hard to make an informed judgement about what the best course of action would be. (You can read more about this here). 

In short: the consultation periods did not incorporate student voices, offered vague information, and was undemocratic. 

What happened differently this year? 

After loud student outcry, SFU’s tuition and consultation setup has gotten a pinch better. Here is how: 

• SFU opened three of their consultations to students. In addition to a student-specific consulation, SFU held three other consultations that were open to students. 
• SFU did not hike tuition up to 20% for some incoming students. Incoming international students are still expecting a tuition hike of either 2% or 8%, which is a considerable change from last year’s 20%. 

This is still not good enough

Tuition rates are increasing while our wages are stagnant, so how are we supposed to pay for these fees? We will continue to keep pushing for a TUITION FREEZE across all of SFU until all students have access to affordable education. University is a place for higher learning, not profit making, and should be treated as such. 

STUDENTS ARE NOT CASH COWS, FREEZE TUITION NOW!