I am forwarding the following message to you on behalf of Muthu .
-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Feewatch campaign update Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 15:35:09 -0500 From: umbagava@cc.umanitoba.ca To: Bev Godard godardbd@cc.umanitoba.ca References: 4473120A.1060707@cc.umanitoba.ca
Subject: Fee watch campaign update, 180% differential fee
Hi everyone
We had an amazing turn out today at the rally, at least 200 people! We could hear you inside the board meeting and it made a big impression on board members. THANK YOU for all your hard work.
We are extremely disappointed and shocked by the result of tonight's meeting.
The original budget motion was to create $100 flat fee, increase the international student differential fee to 160%, and create lab fees of $10-$15 per credit hour.
In a surprise move, the university decided to increase the differential fee to 180% and keep the $100 fee for all students, regardless of courseload.
At the meeting, student members of the board raised several concerns over the budget process, over the justification of increasing of fees, and outlined the detrimental impact this differential fee increase would have on international students. We proposed several amendments, such as eliminating the fees and refering the proposed fee increases back to the finance committee for more discussion, but they all failed. We even challenged the chair of the meeting to allow international students to speak, but the board voted against that as well.
The university has officially passed the 180% differential fee increase, but there are still a few options that we can carry out.
We are having another Fee Watch meeting MONDAY MAY 29 at 5pm in the UMSU Council Chambers. We will be discussing what steps we can take from here.
In solidarity, Garry and Meghan
Thank you! Muthu Plant science Rep for GSA
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