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WINNIPEG — Engineering students at the University of Manitoba voted 64 per cent in favour Wednesday night of hiking their own tuition fees by a whopping 38 per cent.
Global TV Winnipeg said the increase was approved in a two-day referendum that left the student body divided on the issue.
“Taking a small, small hit right now will pay dividends in the future,” said student Phil Dom Pierre, who voted in favour of the hike.
Fed up with antique computers, cancelled classes and teachers too busy to grade assignments, most students were receptive when approached by faculty about the increase.
It will bring to an end a seven-year freeze on tuitions at the university.
But the extra $1,000 a year will mean student Pong Zhau will have to work more overtime to cover the extra debt.
“Most of us don't have a steady income in the first place, so it's not fair to have to pay more,” he said.
Regardless, both sides of the debate say they will now band together to stage a rally at the legislature at the end of the month asking for more provincial support for education.
The referendum still has to be approved by the board of governors and the province. The new rates would take effect next September.
