Tuition and fees associated with mandatory courses (courses a student has to take to complete their program) are subject to the BC Tuition Limit Policy. Under this policy, the maximum tuition may be increased by post-secondary institutions for domestic students is currently 2% annually.
Increases to existing mandatory fees
When the UNBC Board of Governors approves a 2% annual increase to domestic tuition and fees, all associated existing course fees (e.g. course or lab materials fees, field trip fees, etc.) will also be increased by the approved 2% increase. Departments are not required to submit Fee Proposal forms to ensure that these fees are increased by the annual 2%. Mandatory fees cannot be increased beyond any Board-approved 2% increase.
New mandatory fees
New fees that are mandatory can be introduced if there is a clear benefit to students. New mandatory fees can be added to courses or programs that have existing fees if the new fee is for a new service (e.g., for a newly established field trip or newly required materials that will be provided in the classroom). The following is the typical process when a department wishes to introduce a new mandatory fee:
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The department submits a Fee Proposal form to the Fees Committee, along with rationale outlining the benefit of the fee and cost breakdowns for the fee.
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The Fees Committee reviews and votes on the proposal. If the fee is approved at this point, it is approved in theory as the rest of the process is then followed.
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Fees Committee approved mandatory fees at this point are returned to the proponent with guidance to engage in student consultation on the proposed fee. As per the Tuition Limit Policy, "Proactive consultation and engagement with students should be undertaken prior to Board review and approval." This is done often as in-person consultation, emailed surveys, etc., with students currently enrolled in the program, though consultation often looks different depending on the program and the fee being proposed.
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The Fees Committee liaises with the Ministry at this point to advise them that the university is starting the process to create a new mandatory fee. As per the Tuition Limit Policy, "Institutions should also consult with the Ministry early in the process when new fees are being considered."
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Once student consultation is done and the department wishes to proceed with the new mandatory fee, they return the Fee Proposal form and report on the completed student consultation to the Fees Committee for final approval.
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Final Fees Committee approved mandatory fees will then be forwarded by the Fees Committee to the Ministry for consultation. Once Ministry consultation is complete, the fee may be implemented.
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The university reports annually in June on any newly implemented mandatory fees for the upcoming academic year to the Ministry.
New non-mandatory fees or increases to existing non-mandatory fees
New fees or increases to existing fees that are not considered mandatory (courses a student is not obligated to take to complete their program) are not limited by the Tuition Limit Policy. Fee proposal forms can directed to the Fees Committee and should be accompanied by cost breakdowns to justify the fee cost and strong rationales that outline the benefits to students.
Field schools
Field schools are classified as new fees each time they are offered under Ministry of Post-Secondary & Future Skills policy. As such, Fee Proposal forms are required to be completed and submitted to the Fees Committee each time a field school course is offered.