Joint Statement from University of Alberta Students' Union, University of Alberta Graduate Students' Association, Association of Academic Staff University of Alberta, University of Alberta Non-Academic Staff Association, University of Alberta Post Doctoral Fellows Association
Students, staff, and faculty at the University of Alberta stand together in opposition to the budget recently passed by the University of Alberta Board of Governors. Senior administration assumed no increases to the Campus Alberta Grant or backfill funding when deciding to cut all units by 4% while increasing student costs. These assumptions were incorrect as the Government of Alberta made a 2% increase to the Campus Alberta Grant and has allocated $17 million in backfill funding. In order for the University of Alberta to fulfill its mandate in For The PublicGood, education must remain affordable. Given the increased costs for students, accessible education is becoming less of a reality. Similarly, our entire campus community is negatively impacted when academic and non-academic staff are put under budgetary pressure, as these individuals make education at the University possible. We call on the Government of Alberta to keep investing in the University of Alberta in order to maintain an excellent standard of education. United, students, staff, and faculty advocate that the University of Alberta senior administration and Board of Governors re-examine the passed budget and reduce projections for the cost increases and budget cuts in following years.
Marina Banister
University of Alberta Students' Union President su.president@su.ualberta.ca
Babak Soltannia
Graduate Students' Association President gsa.president@ualberta.ca
Dr. Heather Bruce
Association of Academic Staff University of Alberta President heather.bruce@aasua.ca
Elizabeth Johannsen
Non-Academic Staff Association President nasapres@ualberta.ca
Richard Kanyo
Post Doctoral Fellows Association President rkanyo@ualberta.ca