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Tuition increases approved at U of S

Mar 15, 2013 | 6:31 AM

It's going to cost more for students going to the University of Saskatchewan in the upcoming 2013-14 academic year.

Tuition hikes of an average 4.5 per cent, first suggested last spring, have been approved.

“We have not and will not set tuition rates to balance the budget,” said Susan Milburn, chair of the board of governors in a news release.

Instead, the U of S said the increases are necessary to recruit and keep high-quality faculty, enhance students' educational experiences and provide scholarships and bursaries.

The university said despite the increases, tuition for most of their programs remains among the lowest in Canada.

Programs that will see an increase of 4.6 or less include arts, science, education, agriculture and bioresouces, kinesiology, business and graduate studies.

The College of Law will be hit the hardest with a 15 per cent tuition hike, which the U of S said will bring the rate closer to peer institutions.

“These rate increases are comparable to previous years,” said Brett Fairbairn, provost and vice-president academic in a news release.

Tuition revenue makes about 23 per cent of the university's operating budget. The projected revenue from tuition for the 2013-14 academic year is $6 million.

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