Few universities set sufficient funds aside to cover the financing, maintenance and repair of buildings erected during the expansion of the sixties and seventies, or the large number of unionized employees required to operate the facility. Few university administrators thought that comfortable entitlement would ever change. In response, the schools have increased tuition and fees despite student protests and trimmed as much of the operating budget as the union negotiations allow. It has been easier to push through a student fee increase than secure a union cutback. Tuition fees have far outpaced inflation.
Fees provide an excellent revenue stream.
Each university or college can make up their own categories. Some highly desirable university programs are fully financed by tuition fees. In conflict with the need to downsize and get operating budgets under control, enrolments have increased. Many new immigrants and children of first generation immigrants place a very high value on education. Plus the cost of educating professionals in specialized careers means increased faculty and infrastructure costs.