…admits Council only approved fees after implementation
Amid the recent widespread protest of students, the University of Guyana has defended its move to increase the administrative fees. The reason for this decision by the administration was also explained.
The University released a statement on Sunday which revealed that the increase in various service fees was approved by a Special Meeting of the Finance and
University of Guyana students
General Purpose Committee (F&GPC) since Thursday, June 1, 2017. The Committee is a statutory chapter of the University Council. This Council is said to include members of the University of Guyana Students Society (UGSS); the Private Sector; the Trade’s Union Council; the Ministries of Education and Finance; the administration; civic bodies, and the campus unions.
According to the statement, the new fees were sanctioned after a comparative analysis revealed that the administrative fees of the University were lower when compared to other tertiary institutions. It was also stated that it has been almost a decade since these fees were last adjusted.
In addition, the University emphasised that various improvements have been materialised within the past two years to accentuate and directly enhance the ‘learning environment and educational experience’ of the students. As such, the administration was compelled to raise the service fees.
These enhancements included classroom improvements with the introduction of fans and the insertion of new PA systems in lecture halls. New bathrooms and air-conditioning were added to the George Walcott Lecture Theatre (GWLT). Air-conditioning was also introduced to the Small Lecture Theatre (SLT).
There was also the construction of a modern Student Social Complex, which is yet to be commissioned in the 2018-2019 academic year.
Furthermore, it was also disclosed that the service hours of the Bursary and Registry have been extended, with Saturday openings, and improved Wi-Fi access for areas such as the Dennis Irvine Hall and the Tain Campus.
An Undergraduate Research Programme was created that funded travel conferences for students to Trinidad, Georgia, Florida and other places. Fifty-six student leaders were also the first beneficiaries of an Etiquette Training Programme for Student Leaders which was financed from the Vice-Chancellor’s Fund.
With these environmental and educational improvements of the University, the administration believed that it was necessary to release a statement to show why the service fees were increased.
Students of the institution were against the hike in fees and the UGSS had expressed its disagreement with this decision, as it would financially affect some students. It demanded clarification and believed that there was a need for consultation among the student body. All of this was in light of the fact that students were not informed of the hike in service fees and complained to the UGSS of paying extra monies for supplemental examinations. A petition was created by the students with the title ‘increase the services, not the fees’ which over 200 persons have signed so far.
Nevertheless, the new increased administrative fees will be implemented by March, 1, 2018 for current and prospective students of the University of Guyana.
