For months, I dreamed of studying at UBC, hoping it would be the place where I could focus on learning, not just surviving. That dream was quietly taken away.

My name is Yedam Jang, and I am an international student living in British Columbia. I was recently admitted to the University of British Columbia (UBC) as a transfer student for Fall 2025.

Like many other international students, I live in Canada as a dependent of a long-term work permit holder, with a valid study permit. Until recently, UBC had a tuition exemption policy that allowed students in my situation to pay domestic tuition fees, rather than international rates. This policy had been publicly listed for years and was a key reason I chose UBC and started preparing for my future there.

But on March 28, 2025, UBC’s Board of Governors suddenly repealed that exemption without any prior notice. The change is effective May 1, just weeks after the decision was made.

• No email was sent to applicants.
• No formal public announcement was made.
• Students were not given a chance to prepare or reconsider their offers

Many students had already paid a $3,000 non-refundable deposit, believing they were eligible for domestic fees. Now, they are told they must pay international tuition—more than double the cost, with no warning or support.

Education must be built on trust, transparency, and responsibility.
As a leading public university, UBC has a duty to uphold fairness and to communicate major policy changes with adequate notice and care.

This situation has already been covered by CityNews Vancouver, where I shared my story. You can read the article here:
👉 Policy change costs some UBC students thousands more in tuition

 
What we are asking for:

• A public acknowledgment and formal apology from UBC for the lack of notice and communication.
• Transitional measures or financial relief for students who accepted offers based on the previous tuition exemption policy.
   

Please sign and share this petition to help protect transparency, fairness, and student rights in post-secondary education.

Thank you for standing with us,
Yedam Jang