MUN board of regents passes budget amid protest, fees and hikes approved

The Memorial University board of regents voted to pass a controversial proposedbudget Thursday, approving both new fees and tuition hikes.

The financial plancalls for a freeze on tuition costs for Newfoundland and Labrador students until 2021, but all students will be hit with new course and campus renewal fees, as well as atuition increase for new students from outside the provincestarting in the fall of 2018.

• MUN proposes keeping tuition freeze for N.L. students, but new fees will hit all

The planalso proposed$13.4 million in spending cuts over the next three years.

"Any new student that comes, it's fair game to say, 'This is what the tuition will be in 2018. You can choose to come here because we've got great programs and even with that increased cost, we will still be the least expensive program in Canada,'"MUN presidentGaryKachanoskitold reporters Thursday evening after the budget was passed.

Kachanoskidefended the new fees and said he understands that studentemotions are high, but theuniversityand the board have certainresponsibilities to uphold.

"Infrastructure on campus needs to be addressed and we simply can't continue to say we're offering21st-century teaching and learning and research in20th-century infrastructure that is falling apart," he said.

"I think the students are passionate about what they're saying and I accept that. We're hoping that they can understand the board has a responsibility to make the decisions in the best interest of the university, as is our responsibility to put forward budget proposals that are in the best interest of the university."

Kachanoski said he remains committed to the university and has no plans to resign.

Students stormed aboardmeetingThursday afternoon at R.GushueHall when Alex Noel, a studentgiving a presentation on an alternate plan to the budget, opened an emergency exit and let protesters into the meeting room.

"People needed to see what the university administration does behind closed doors," Noel said.

"This is a public institution and it has to remain accountable and transparent."

Thursday's protest wasorganized by MUN students' union (MUNSU). Members of the board got up and left the room when students entered and began chanting.

MUN'sadministration has said the new fees and increases are badly needed, as it needs to find ways to generate new revenue tokeep up with infrastructure maintenance.

MUNSU has also expressed concern over the cutsto staff and faculty, the 30 per cent fee hike for new out-of-province and international students and the new campus renewal and student services fees.

The union argues the changes will add $900 per year to the costs of full-time undergraduate students, and more than $600 per year for graduate students.

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