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Montreal, April 11, 2012 – The Quebec Federation of University Students (FEUQ) today made public a document called Les étudiants proposent : Révisons les dépenses universitaires, a proposal for a review of university expenditures. The Conference of Rectors and Principals of Quebec Universities (CREPUQ) has read the document and noted a serious error in methodology, which has resulted in false conclusions. CREPUQ also believes that the student proposals would have a significant negative impact on university teaching and research.

FEUQ compares a cumulative amount over five years further to a spending freeze ($296.2 M) to a recurring annual amount related to the tuition fee increase ($207.6 M) in 2016-17. These two amounts are not comparable. The document should have used the cumulative amount of tuition fees for the next five years, which would be approximately $1 billion for 2012-13 to 2016-17 (from which, according to the FEUQ methodology, tax credits would have to be deducted).

Even if the calculations had been correct, let us be clear that the FEUQ proposals amount to an impoverishment of the entire Quebec university system.

“Instead of reinvesting in our university system, FEUQ is proposing to starve it. It is hard to see how this would improve the quality of education and research. What’s more, the FEUQ proposals simply ignore the increasing cost of goods and services, as though they imagine that Quebec universities could unilaterally decide that their suppliers will not increase prices,” said Luce Samoisette, Chair-Elect of the CREPUQ Board of Directors and Rector of Sherbrooke University.

In addition, the FEUQ proposals make no mention of university cost-cutting efforts resulting from Bill 100, which has affected compensation, staffing and other expenses.

“FEUQ is proposing a freeze not only on tuition fees, but also on significant university budget items. Everything a university spends goes towards fulfilling its mission to teach, conduct research and serve the community. So, for example, I don’t see how you can propose freezing IT budgets without compromising the university’s cutting-edge high-tech environment,” added Daniel Zizian, Director General of CREPUQ.

Contrary to FEUQ claims, Quebec’s universities are well managed. Each university is run by a Board of Directors whose members include university administrators, professors, students and community representatives. These boards operate out of concern for the public good and their annual budgets are intended to ensure the stringent management of public funds.

CREPUQ includes all 18 Quebec universities. The organization acts as their voice in relations with government and milieus concerned with university education and research. It also fosters coordination and collaboration between universities, is a research centre for university administrations, acts as a centre for coordination and joint service delivery, and is a resource centre and think tank for its members.

Source :
Chantal Pouliot, Director of Communications
Conference of Rectors and Principals of Quebec Universities
514 288-8524, ext. 244
chantal.pouliot@crepuq.qc.ca