In a recent communication from the Minister of Higher Education, Pascale Déry, Concordia University President Graham Carr addressed the Concordia community regarding changes to tuition fees for out-of-province and international students. The government’s decision, while modifying some initial proposals, has left the university community disheartened and concerned about its impact.
The revised plan stipulates that tuition fees for out-of-province students will now be set at a minimum of $12,000 for all undergraduate programs, a decrease from the originally proposed $17,000 . However, for international students, the government remains steadfast in its initial proposal, establishing a minimum fee of $20,000. Undergraduates and non-research master’s students will face a clawback of $17,000 in tuition, with the government providing a smaller grant to universities. Despite Concordia’s request for a delay until 2025 due to the ongoing recruitment cycle, the government insists on implementing these changes in fall 2024.
President Graham Carr expressed disappointment over the government’s decision, highlighting its significant impact on the university’s financial standing. He emphasized the unforeseen consequences, including a drop in applications from both out-of-province and international students, adversely affecting Concordia’s identity as a diverse, global institution.
Furthermore, the government has accepted aspects of the anglophone universities’ plan to protect and promote the French language, set to begin in fall 2025. However, the government has raised the bar, asking universities to ensure 80 percent of non-francophone undergraduate students achieve intermediate proficiency in French, a target deemed unrealistic by Concordia.
President Carr underscored the university’s commitment to promoting French but expressed concerns about the feasibility of the new target. He urged the government to engage in meaningful consultation before implementing these measures, emphasizing the necessity of investments, planning, and tailored programs to meet the proposed objectives.
Despite Concordia’s efforts to prevent any increase in tuition fees, the $12,000 rate for out-of-province students represents a 30 percent increase for most programs. President Carr stressed the financial significance and harm these changes would cause to Concordia.
President Carr acknowledged the support received from within and outside the university and expressed gratitude to faculty, staff, students, and alumni who voiced their support. He urged the Concordia community to focus on the future, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the university’s stature as a welcoming institution that equips students to be adaptable, innovative, and successful globally.
President Carr called for unity and continued advocacy for the university’s values and ambitions, emphasizing the collective belief in higher education’s power to advance knowledge for the betterment of society. He pledged to fight for the importance of Concordia’s role in shaping the future and contributing to the reputation of Quebec and Canada on the world stage.
