Many students have raised concerns about the impact of any substantial faculty salary increase on tuition at the law school. The Student Caucus of Faculty Council therefore wishes to present students with the information we have received with regard to this matter. We feel that Ultra Vires is an effective forum in which to do so. However, students have an interest in keeping tuition increases to a minimum, especially given the tremendous increases that have been implemented over the past decade. Issues of accessibility and the nature of public education in Canada are involved, and we are direct stakeholders in this debate.
Presently students have no input into the setting of tuition levels at the faculty.
The Dean has promised to consult students before making his tuition recommendation to Simcoe Hall for the coming year, but retains the ultimate discretion as to what his recommendation will be. Tuition for next year has not yet been determined, and will not be before Welcome and Outreach Day for next year's incoming class on March 3. The Dean will not provide a precise date as to when tuition for next year will be set, nor will he provide an estimate of what it will be. This difference is manifest in a host of different dimensions - student services, library resources, and faculty salaries and support. In all other respects, we have severe and mounting problems that will have to be addressed if we are to retain and strengthen our position.