Mount Royal University (MRU) will not waive service fees to students restricted by coronavirus for the 2020 fall semester.
In an MRU Instagram post on May 14, the university said that student fees will not be reduced for the upcoming year.
Some schools have reduced fees to students where they aren’t able to readily access the facilities. With health regulations around coronavirus forcing schools to resort to smaller classes, and reduced or restricted services, students aren’t able to access the same resources.
“Student fees will not be reduced or eliminated at this time because services and supports continue to be offered and in many cases increased,” the post read.
The post went on to support MRU’s decision. It stated that fees are vital to support these programs and assure that after health restrictions lift, the various programs can still continue.
How much are fees?
MRU’s fees are estimated to be larger than $1,300 per semester. The majority of this fee comes from the Calgary transit U-Pass and student service fee, which totals nearly $500 per year.
All the restricted services, which could include a general, athletic, student service, and U-pass fee could cost students up to $1,000 per year.
Other fees like the health plan and dental plan have opt-outs as the semester starts. The majority of these fees will impact returning students.
MRU won’t follow fellow post-secondary schools example
Other post-secondary schools, like SAIT and U of C, reduced fees as a result of the coronavirus. MRU will continue to require students to pay for various programs in hopes that they will be available for when restrictions lift.
Isha Kak, a fourth-year MRU business administration student said the requirement to pay the same fees during this pandemic is troubling.
“It’s unfair to students that lost their jobs or don’t have summer jobs,” she said.
“I think it’s crazy that we’re paying for things like the gym, athletics, and recreation services that we can’t use. “
Kak said she recognizes the university had to make some hard decisions somewhere and teachers need to be paid but she thinks this pandemic should have changed some things.
“I know that they can’t reduce pay for teacher’s contracts but I don’t want to be paying for things that I can’t use,” Kak said.
“I had to take out government loans to pay for school. I don’t want to waste money like this, and a lot of my friends feel the same way.”
MRU’s response
MRU reaffirmed its prior stance. A statement was provided by the university to LiveWire Calgary.
“We are aware of student concerns regarding fees during a period when access to campus is limited,” read the statement.
“As we look ahead to and plan for the fall, we continue to review these fees based on what will be available to students.”
