By Troy Gillard

online classes only this fall

Petition asks RDC to lower tuition rates for fall semester

May 14, 2020 | 11:45 AM

An online petition asking Red Deer College (RDC) to lower tuition fees for the fall 2020 semester.

More than 1,400 people have signed the petition that was launched five days ago.

RDC recently announced that it will continue to deliver only online classes this fall to limit the spread of coronavirus. The petition highlights a “worsened learning experience” because students no longer have “access to a safe, reliable learning environment.”

“The decision to move to online delivery is understandable in many ways,” the petition states. “However, the majority of RDC’s student body did not apply to the school with the knowledge that they would be taking online classes. As a result, accommodations in the form of a lowered tuition should be made.”

“Tuition fees should absolutely reflect what we are getting. Which is instruction through a computer into our homes,” says petition signee Crystal Saunders of Red Deer. “Why should we be paying for the building, the library, a classroom, field trips, presenters etc. when we aren’t receiving any of that?”

mayor hopes to meet housing minister this month

Alberta demands Ottawa back off on housing funding stripped from Red Deer

16h ago

Last seen Jan. 15

Missing: Courtney Cattleman, 17, of Maskwacis

21h ago

eyes up

Air Spray training around Red Deer Regional Airport

22h ago

Aidan Carroll of Red Deer, who also signed the petition, wrote, “I’m signing because I believe this is only fair. I registered at RDC because I believed, and still do believe, that RDC can offer a high standard of education as well as valuable interactions, between students and faculty, and I felt that I would be able to receive quality face time with instructors in the form of small class sizes and meetings during office hours. I know my ability to do well in my classes will suffer from the content being delivered online.”

RDC has yet to announce its final budget for the 2020-21 school year, but has already announced that five programs are being suspended to due mainly to low enrollments.

“While the delivery method will temporarily change, students will still receive the same credit for their education and have access to the same student services, so tuition will not decrease,” the college says on its website. “Other fees will be adjusted, or not charged, including the Activity and Wellness fee and Material and Special fees associated with individual courses.”