> New award to protect seniors’ access to SFU credit courses
New award to protect seniors’ access to SFU credit courses
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Public Affairs/Media Relations, 778.782.3210
Public Affairs/Media Relations, 778.782.3210
May 5, 2008
Concern over the end to Simon Fraser University's credit course tuition waiver for seniors (those over the age of 60) has prompted the establishment of a new award to assist those most affected.
Recent cuts to the university budget have made a number of changes necessary but the one that attracted the most public attention was the cancellation of the waiver for seniors taking undergraduate credit courses.
Several seniors attended SFU’s April Board of Governors meeting, where three seniors (including Alan Aberbach, a charter member of the SFU history department and now director of the seniors program in continuing studies) spoke eloquently, urging maintenance of the tuition waiver.
The board passed the revised budget following President Michael Stevenson's pledge to find a way to ensure access to financial aid for senior students.
SFU has a proud tradition of support for life-long education, and seniors are an important part of that commitment, says Dr. Stevenson. "SFU will continue to welcome seniors to credit courses and to the non-credit courses which involve a far greater number of seniors.
The elimination of the tuition waiver reflects a principle of equitable access for all students to all our programs. We believe that seniors would not expect to be subsidized by younger undergraduates whose tuition fees cover an increasing share of the cost of degree programs.
"We know that tuition is not a barrier to most seniors because they have always paid fees for non-credit courses. We also know that some seniors, like other undergraduates, will need assistance to cover tuition.
For those seniors wishing to take only one or two credit courses I have instituted a special fund to provide financial assistance where needed." Seniors taking three or more credit courses in a semester will continue to be eligible for bursary assistance on the same basis as any other SFU student.
"The SFU seniors program will continue to provide access to credit courses which provide intellectual stimulation to seniors," says Stevenson. "In turn, they enrich the educational experience of their younger classmates."
Recent cuts to the university budget have made a number of changes necessary but the one that attracted the most public attention was the cancellation of the waiver for seniors taking undergraduate credit courses.
Several seniors attended SFU’s April Board of Governors meeting, where three seniors (including Alan Aberbach, a charter member of the SFU history department and now director of the seniors program in continuing studies) spoke eloquently, urging maintenance of the tuition waiver.
The board passed the revised budget following President Michael Stevenson's pledge to find a way to ensure access to financial aid for senior students.
SFU has a proud tradition of support for life-long education, and seniors are an important part of that commitment, says Dr. Stevenson. "SFU will continue to welcome seniors to credit courses and to the non-credit courses which involve a far greater number of seniors.
The elimination of the tuition waiver reflects a principle of equitable access for all students to all our programs. We believe that seniors would not expect to be subsidized by younger undergraduates whose tuition fees cover an increasing share of the cost of degree programs.
"We know that tuition is not a barrier to most seniors because they have always paid fees for non-credit courses. We also know that some seniors, like other undergraduates, will need assistance to cover tuition.
For those seniors wishing to take only one or two credit courses I have instituted a special fund to provide financial assistance where needed." Seniors taking three or more credit courses in a semester will continue to be eligible for bursary assistance on the same basis as any other SFU student.
"The SFU seniors program will continue to provide access to credit courses which provide intellectual stimulation to seniors," says Stevenson. "In turn, they enrich the educational experience of their younger classmates."