Public Statements
Looking for statements issued by the University of Calgary to the public? Take a look through the archive below. Looking for more information? Contact the UCalgary Media Team.
On this page you can browse statements issued by the University of Calgary upon request from the public. All statements are attributable to the University of Calgary. If you have questions regarding a particular statement, please contact the UCalgary Media Team.
Tuition and fees for upcoming year set by Board of Governors
December 13, 2024
UCalgary’s tuition and fees have been set for the upcoming year, following campus-wide consultations and a vote by the Board of Governors.
Tuition for domestic undergraduates will increase by 2%, while international undergrad increases by 4%; Domestic master’s course-based diploma and certificate rises by 2%, while international goes up by 4%.
The board kept thesis-based tuition to current levels, with no increase.
“As always, we appreciate constructive dialogue with students and student groups, and thank all who offered feedback on the tuition and fee proposals.”
“This feedback resulted in adjustments to the original tuition and fee proposals, and we believe the result balances student concerns with the budget challenges at our growing university.”
-Dr. Sandra Davidson, PhD., provost and vice-president (academic) of the University of Calgary.
UCalgary Board of Governors Chair Mark Herman said the tuition and fees for the upcoming year were approved after careful consideration by the board.
“The board’s decision follows thoughtful discussion and careful consideration of how inflation and cost increases impact students.”
“The University of Calgary maintains rates in line or below those of other post-secondary institutions across the country.”
-Mark Herman, UCalgary Board of Governors Chair
In direct response to student feedback, there is no tuition increase to thesis-based tuition rates in the upcoming year, while the increase to international undergraduate tuition was reduced to four percent from six.
The Board of Governors heard that the increases to tuition and fees is necessary to maintain financial sustainability, amid rising costs and limited revenue growth, including flat provincial funding and a
domestic tuition cap below inflation.
The Board heard UCalgary allocates just 5.7% of its operating budget to administration, the lowest among its U15 peers and significantly below the U15 average of 9.3%.
Tuition and fee increases
New tuition and fee rates will take effect starting on May 1, 2025. A full listing of rates by program will be published in the Tuition and General Fees section of the 2025-2026 university academic calendar in March. Some examples include:
Tuition for domestic students
- +2.0%: Undergraduate programs
- +2.0%: Most master’s course-based, diploma and certificate programs
- Zero increase for thesis-based tuition
Tuition for international students
- +4.0%: Undergraduate programs
- +4.0%: Most master’s course-based, diploma and certificate programs
- Zero increase for thesis-based tuition
General fees
A 4.0% increase to the Student Services, Campus Recreation and Athletics fees was approved.
2025/2026 Residence Rates
An adjustment of 2.5% to 10% was approved—depending on the room type. Notably, 44% of residence rooms will see an increase of 3% or less, with the average increase across all inventory being 5.3%.
Despite these adjustments, analysis shows that UCalgary’s rates remain competitive with market rates for similar units in Calgary, ensuring that residence remains a sustainable and affordable option.
2025/2026 Meal Plan Rates
To continue providing students with nutritious and diverse dining options, meal plan rates were approved to increase by 4% to 9%. These changes reflect the commitment to maintaining the quality and variety of All You Care to Eat (AYCTE) plans while keeping costs reasonable.
Providing students with affordable, healthy meals is paramount, and every effort is being made to balance this commitment with the challenges of rising food costs.
2025/2026 Parking Rates
Approved changes for parking in the upcoming year include the following:
- Student/staff permits in surface lots and Art Parkade: 1.2% to 4.2% increase
- Daily surface lot rates: Increase by $1
- Underground heated parkade permits: 12.1% increase
Review of University Response to Protest Encampment Concludes
December 13, 2024
A message from University of Calgary Board of Governors Chair Mark Herman
This summer, the University of Calgary began a review of decision making related to the removal of a protest encampment on May 9. Such reviews are standard after all major incidents or events, as is making the results available to the public.
Because of the importance of this matter to many members of our campus community, I wanted to update the University on the results of that review and the subsequent Board of Governors discussions.
THE REVIEW
After an open RFP process, MNP was selected to conduct a review of the actions and decision making processes of the University’s Crisis Management Team leading up to the events of May 9, during the day/evening of May 9 and the weeks that followed, (the “Review”). The Review was provided directly to the Board of Governors. It found the university had strong structures in place and good decision-making processes. It also identified areas for improvement in tracking and engaging with constituency groups and stakeholders during incidents, and providing crisis management training and awareness to more members of the community. University management has begun implementing those recommendations.
“While opportunities for improvement have been identified, overall, this review found that Crisis Management Team actions and the response process were comprehensive, leveraged existing crisis management structures, and aligned with crisis management leading practices.
In the face of a complex and challenging situation, the Crisis Management Team decision making process was found to be measured, deliberate and informed.”
University of Calgary CMT Response Review
The report, and management’s response agreeing with the recommendations, can be found here (review, management response).
THE DISCUSSIONS
Presentations and discussion on this topic occurred at many Board and Committee meetings over the past months. Board discussions were informed by conversations and presentations, experiences on other campuses, and materials from other sources such as the University of Alberta third-party review (which addressed matters of law and found the removal of encampments “reasonable and lawful”), and the University of Toronto injunction decision (which found the same).
Most recently, the Review was discussed at our Environment, Health, Safety & Sustainability Committee on November 18 and the full Board of Governors on December 13. Discussion was robust. The University of Calgary is, and remains, a place of free expression and we have had many protests on many issues in the months since May 9. Campus safety for students, staff, faculty and visitors, and continuity of University operations remain priorities. It remains the position of the University of Calgary that, while you are free to protest, you are not free to camp or use space to the exclusion of others.
As a Board we are satisfied there are no more material facts that we need to gather, and we are satisfied that management exercised sound judgment in a difficult, no-win situation.
I want to thank MNP for the review they performed and all members of the campus community for their participation and engagement on this topic.
Mark Herman
Chair
Governors of the University of Calgary
Statement on study abroad agreements
July 8, 2024
UCalgary’s study abroad agreement with University of Haifa ended on July 10, 2023. University of Calgary International goes through the website early each summer to add new agreements and programs and to remove expired ones in preparation for the upcoming academic year.
Updated statement regarding May 9 protest
June 11, 2024
The Calgary Police said they’ve received no reports of injuries from May 9. The University of Calgary has not had any injuries reported directly to us. We encourage anyone with injuries to report them to the police, or to ASIRT as part of their investigation.
As requested, on June 6 University of Calgary leadership held a meeting with student groups who sent the demands on May 7 (PAC UCalgary).
The University has not refused to meet with anyone, nor has it rejected any demands related to the initial meeting.
Statement on third-party investigation
May 30, 2024
The University of Calgary reviews decision-making after any major event, and those reviews often include third parties. The university will be doing a third-party review of the decision-making process related to the removal of the encampment.
In addition to the University of Calgary review, to the extent that the Students’ Union’s issues relate to police matters, the Government of Alberta has announced that an ASIRT review will take place regarding police actions.
Statement on UCalgary investment holdings
May 28, 2024
Q: What are the specific investment holdings the protestors are referencing? Are endowment funds holding arms companies commodities?
Statement: Investments are managed by fund managers who are guided by our statement of investment principles and beliefs, which includes environmental, social and governance expectations that would generally preclude such investments.
Statement on letter from concerned UCalgary faculty, staff, and students
May 22, 2024
We have received the letter, and will be reviewing it and replying to the authors. The University of Calgary is a place of free expression where all of our 42,000 students, faculty and staff are free to express themselves. Students, faculty and staff have the right to protest on our campus but, per our policies and procedures, they may not establish an encampment.
Updated statement on protest
May 10, 2024
We are aware that the Calgary Police Service responded to our request regarding individuals gathered on campus today. They were informed multiple times this morning and evening of our policy not to permit temporary structures. Members of the campus community are free to protest, but they are not free to camp.
Statement on tents on campus
May 9, 2024
We are aware that a small number of tents have been set up on campus. We are engaging with the individuals involved however, temporary structures and overnight protests are not permitted. Members of the campus community are free to protest but they are not free to camp.
Statement on the announcement of Bill 18
April 10, 2024
In the coming days, the University of Calgary will be discussing Bill 18 with the Alberta government to better understand their intended implementation.
The Government of Canada provided $190 million in research funding in 2023 – 35% of total research revenue for the University of Calgary. Bringing this funding to Alberta generates economic activity, creates jobs and helps to provide our community access to world-class facilities and services.
Statement on IRCC international student cap
April 9, 2024
IRCC’s announcement is consistent with previous guidance. We will continue to work closely with the provincial and federal governments on the specifics of implementation.
Currently, 12.8 % of University of Calgary’s approximately 30,000 undergraduate students are international.
The University of Calgary welcomes international students as an integral part of our community. We are committed to supporting international students and ensuring they have a world-class learning experience.
Statement on the 2024-2025 UCalgary budget
March 26, 2024
The University of Calgary is fully committed to providing a rich teaching, learning and research environment and to ensuring our students have a rewarding university experience. Revenue from student tuition and fees represents approximately 23.8 percent of our total revenue projection for the 2024-25 consolidated budget. The province has capped domestic tuition increases at 2% annually in 2024-25. We continue to leverage additional funding opportunities through partnerships and innovation to provide an excellent student experience at UCalgary. Recent support in Budget 2024 provided new capital funding (Multi-disciplinary Science Hub and Veterinary Learning Commons), as well as new funding for a rural physician training program, which will help bolster student learning in these vital areas.
Statement on tuition and fees for 2024-2025 academic year
December 8, 2023
After consultation across campus and a vote of the Board of Governors, UCalgary has set its tuition and fees for the upcoming year. The fees will take effect in May.
“We appreciate the constructive dialogue and feedback from students and student groups during our consultation process, and thank all who took time to participate,” says Provost Penny Werthner. “This feedback led to adjustments of the original tuition and fee proposals, which are set to meet budget and inflation challenges at our growing university.”
UCalgary Board of Governors Chair Mark Herman says the tuition and fees were approved after careful consideration by the board.
“The board’s decision on tuition and fees came after thoughtful discussion and consideration of all factors impacting students, including inflation and cost increases,” says Herman. “By keeping UCalgary tuition increases for the coming year well below the rate of inflation, the University of Calgary maintains rates in line or below those of other post-secondary institutions across the country.”
Student feedback leads to adjustments
In direct response to student feedback, the increase for international undergraduate and course-based graduate tuition was reduced from 10 per cent to six per cent, and the Affordability and International Student Advisory Group was created. Werthner says the university committed to meaningful consultation with students, and these changes are the direct result.
“We are very aware students are personally impacted by rising costs and we are committed to listening to feedback on areas where we should focus our resources, as we work to continue to offer high-quality programs and education while maintaining the accessibility of a University of Calgary education,” she says.
Tuition and fee increases
New tuition and fee rates will take effect starting on May 1, 2024. A full listing of rates by program will be published in the Tuition and General Fees section of the 2024-2025 university academic calendar in March. Some examples include:
Tuition for domestic students:
+2.0 per cent: Undergraduate programs
+2.0 per cent: Thesis-based programs (thesis-based MSc, MA, PhD, and professional doctorates)
+2.0 per cent: Most master’s course-based, diploma and certificate programs
Tuition for international students:
+6.0 per cent: Undergraduate programs
+2.0 per cent: Thesis-based programs (thesis-based MSc, MA, PhD, and professional doctorates)
+6.0 per cent: Most master’s course-based, diploma and certificate programs
Note: Some student groups will experience a lower increase as per their previously communicated guaranteed tuition rates.
General fees:
A 2.0 per cent increase to the Student Services, Campus Recreation and Athletics fees has been approved. Student parking permit rates on campus will be increasing by 2.5 to 6.5 per cent. Staff permit rates are increasing by two per cent.
Statement on antisemitic graffiti in washrooms
November 7, 2023
The University of Calgary has been made aware of these deeply disturbing comments, which we strongly condemn, and have located and removed them. We are actively investigating and will hold anyone found responsible accountable. Police have also been advised. Hate has no place in our campus community.
Statement on incident in residence
October 6, 2023
The University of Calgary strongly condemns the actions depicted in this video. There is nothing funny about Adolf Hitler or the atrocities committed by the Nazis – atrocities which include the holocaust. This incident was reported to the Student Conduct Office which is now investigating.
We are committed to a campus community in which all who work, study and live on campus can flourish in an environment free of hatred, harassment, bullying and discrimination. UCalgary is reaching out to those who may be affected by this video. Student and staff wellness counselling services are available to anyone affected.