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May 24, 1990

FIVE PER CENT TUITION INCREASE TO COVER INFLATION
The Vancouver Community College Board has approved a five per cent increase
in tuition fees for September.
VCC President Paul Gallagher said the increase was necessary to cover the costs
of inflation, not because of the recent wage settlement with the Vocational Instructors
Association.

"Our budget increase for inflation from the Ministry of Advanced Education,
Training and Technology came in at 6.53 per cent," said Dr. Gallagher. "In order to keep
the traditional balance between tuition fees and the ministry operating grant, it was
necessary to also raise tuition by five per cent."

Tuition fees account for 18 per cent of the total College budget. The fee hike will
apply to all programs, except Adult Basic Education.
Contrary to broadcast reports, Gallagher said the tuition hike was not the result
of the recent wage settlement with the Vocational Instructors Association, nor are any
program cuts planned at this time.
"Wage settlements are only one of numerous factors that are considered in the

budget preparation, and it's unfair and incorrect to attribute the tuition increase to the
VIA settlement.
"We now know what our revenue position is and the next step will be to prepare
an expense budget. We're planning to deliver the programs for which we have been
funded, and it's premature to suggest that there will be a cutback in programs." The
expense budget will go to the College Board for approval in late June.
In addition to the increase for inflation, the Ministry has contributed 1.37 per
cent to the VCC budget to cover the costs of programs which are being transferred to
the College from BCIT. ,
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