We, the students, are pleading the U of R to lower tuition by a reasonable amount, 15-20%, for the 2020-2021 academic year.

With the imminent switch to online classes, our learning will take a massive hit. Countless studies and anecdotes have informed us that the quality of online education is simply not that of an in-person experience.

The University of Regina’s tuition fees also cover all the student services and facilities that we no longer have access to, such as clubs and societies, campus facilities, the student health clinic, activity room, libraries, computer labs, sporting facilities, and many more.

Moreover, despite adequate resources not being provided by the university, we students utilized our own resources (mobile-data, Wi-Fi, electricity, equipment, etc) to attend the lectures.

If this is the case, then why should we pay an exaggerated price on a lower quality experience? As paying students in a profit-first institution, it is our right to ask for concession on tuition fees. 

We understand that because of Covid-19, many institutions and businesses across Canada will have to face the harsh reality of a recession. However, It is not up to us, the students, to bear the financial burden of the institution; and especially not at a time when students, many of whom have been laid off or are working extra hours to support themselves, are under financial constrain.

If the executives truly care about the well-being of their 12k students, and they understand the relationship between student well-being and productivity of an institution, we would like to see our requests considered.

We hope you will understand our plight, and consider lowering tuition fees for the 2020-2021 year.

Thank you.