UCalgary seeking 47% tuition increase

The University of Calgary is planning to increase tuition fees by as much as 47 per cent in some professional programs. Although tuition in Alberta is indexed to the consumer price index, the province is allowing an exception this year for selected programs. As reported by the Calgary Herald:

At least four core faculties -- engineering, business, law and medicine -- are targeted for the hikes, although masters programs for education and business administration are also being scrutinized and none of U of C’s professional programs is necessarily off the table, officials said.

Medicine students, for example, face a $4,000 "market modifier" increase. Added to the 1.5 per cent hike allowed each year, fees would jump by 27.8 per cent to $18,600, from $14,384 the year before.

The figures are only preliminary and are being used for discussion purposes on campus before they’re sent to the province for approval, said Colleen Turner, vice-president of external relations.

Meanwhile the students’ union has planned a "Day of Action" for Tuesday in protest of the tuition fee increase.