SACKVILLE (GNB) – The provincial government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Mount Allison University that is meant to provide stable tuition for students and predictable multi-year funding for the university. The agreement represents an investment of almost $5.4 million over four years, and is in addition to the University’s existing operational funding.

“Mount Allison University is recognized as a leading post-secondary institution, and I am proud to sign this agreement with the University, which will ensure that tuition rates are predictable and stable for its students for years to come,” said Post-Secondary Education Minister Roger Melanson. “Your government is committed to making post-secondary education in our province accessible and affordable, and we will continue to make students a priority.”

Following are some highlights of the memorandum, which covers the 2017-18 to 2020-21 academic years:

• Increases to the university’s operational funding will be one per cent in each of the first three years, followed by two per cent in 2020-21.

• Tuition increases will be capped at two per cent per year for the duration of a degree in which a New Brunswick student is already enrolled in 2018-19 or earlier.

• Universities may undertake a tuition review for which results would only be implemented in 2019-20 and apply to new students enrolled in 2019-20.

• Funding for pilot projects aims to increase enrolment and allow for more research and development opportunities.

• The University agrees to appear before a committee of the legislative assembly.

“Mount Allison University prides itself on offering one of the best undergraduate educational experiences in the country,” said University President Robert Campbell. “Predictable government funding helps us to better plan and allocate resources in an efficient and thoughtful manner and ensures stable tuition rates for our students.”

In support of a strong post-secondary education system, the government has now reached memorandums of understanding with three of the province’s four publicly funded universities. Discussions with the fourth university are ongoing and, once an agreement is finalized, it is expected the government will have allotted more than $50 million for these four universities over the next four years.

The government introduced the Free Tuition Program and Tuition Relief for the Middle Class to make post-secondary education more affordable and accessible for students. More than 6,200 students have qualified for the Free Tuition Program and more than 1,400 students have qualified for Tuition Relief for the Middle Class for the 2017-18 academic year.

Photo captions

(L-R) Announcement emcee and Mount Allison Canadian studies student Gabrielle de Ste-Croix; Hon. Roger Melanson, Minister of Post-Secondary Education; Dr. Robert Campbell, Mount Allison President and Vice-Chancellor; and Bernard LeBlanc, MLA Memramcook-Tantramar

Mount Allison President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Campbell and Minister of Post-Secondary Education Hon. Roger Melanson sign a memorandum of understanding on campus February 16.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Bonnie Doyle Creber, communications, Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, 506-444-3158.