By Christina Lépine – Staff Writer

On Oct. 13, 2023, Quebec’s minister of higher education announced a tuition increase for out-of-province students doubling their tuition from $9,000 to $17,000. Following this announcement, the Bishop’s University administration and the Students’ Representative Council worked in collaboration with members of the Eastern Townships, the McGill and Concordia Principals, and student unions to fight against this tuition hike. 

After a mobilization, an open letter signed by hundreds of signatories, a petition tabled at Québec’s National Assembly with more than 33,000 signatures, and discussions with the said minister and English school Principals, it was announced, on December 14, 2023, that Bishop’s University was exempted from this tuition hike. Minister Pascale Déry announced then that, starting in fall 2025, English-level universities will be mandated to ensure that 80 per cent of non-Quebec resident undergraduate students attain level 5 on the Quebec scale of French proficiency. 

A year later, what are the repercussions on our university? I met with Andrew Webster, Vice-Principal of Academic and Research, Sarah Théberge, Chair of the French Department, and Lyssa Paquette, Manager of Student Recruitment and Retention, to answer this question. 

Financial impacts on the university 

            The Quebec government made this announcement before the Bishop’s 2023 fall Open House, impacting early enrollments. Many out-of-province students turned to other universities due to the tuition fee uncertainty. Andrew Webster mentioned that along with the effects of the tuition crisis, the university also suffered from a change in the provincial government’s funding formula, decreasing the funding usually allocated to Bishop’s. The federal government has imposed quotas on international applications to Canadian universities, reducing available slots and jeopardizing international enrollment rates. 

Webster mentioned, “there has been a significant financial impact on the university, but we are planning for the future rather than approaching the situation with a survival lens.” This year, the university administration has been working very hard to find solutions to meet budget restrictions and make the demanded cuts without affecting students’ experience. However, Webster adds, “it is unfortunate to say that coming from outside Québec to study here has become a bit harder, and students feel less welcome.”

            Webster also mentions that committees, working groups, and discussions between the Principal and the provincial government are all working to preserve and promote the Bishop’s experience. Unfortunately, Webster confirmed that some cuts will still have to be made in part-time courses and course offerings to meet the new budget requirements – the question of which courses remain unclear.

Promoting the French language

An important highlight of the interviews is promoting the French language. “The French aspect is a positive component of the Bishop’s experience, and it is primordial for the university to find ways to promote the French language and culture,” Webster told The Campus.

            While the government has proposed French testing, Andrew Webster and Sarah Théberge confirmed that the university is working very hard to ensure no student has to pass French language examinations to graduate. Instead, Bishop’s is working to increase incentives for students to learn French, rather than relying on performative measures to prove language proficiency. 

            Théberge mentioned that it is very important for the French department and the university to utilize the situation as “an opportunity to offer a wider course offering in French.” The department has diversified the services offered to include online linguistic capsules, experiential learning through internship opportunities, and tutoring. Additionally, a variety of courses are offered in grammar, speaking, writing, and French/Québecois culture. She encourages all students, including francophones, to try French classes.

            In the upcoming months, Sarah Théberge will lead initiatives to expand the department’s capabilities and gear up to meet the provincial government’s language requirements. Students starting in fall 2025 would likely be the first group of students subject to any governmentally-mandated French testing requirements, although the specifics remain uncertain, and Bishops is working to circumvent this.

Bringing enrollment numbers up

            Anticipating a drop in out-of-province and international enrollments due to the tuition crisis and application quotas, the Recruitment and Admissions Office did not waste any time brainstorming solutions to reverse this decrease in enrollment numbers. They have doubled existing initiatives, including campus tours, showing academic buildings and residence rooms and offering a free meal at Dewhurst Dining Hall. They also participate in international fairs, where recruitment offices promote Bishop’s around the world. 

            The Recruitment and Enrollment office has also revamped events like fall and spring Open Houses, adding new activities to engage visitors. They now attend campus events, sports games, and public fairs across the Eastern Townships and Canada, offering promotional materials and answering questions about Bishop’s.

            This year, the Recruitment Office and the Communications Office are also collaborating on a new edition of the Be you @ B.U. magazine, mailed prospective students, and the Gaiters Unite: Recruit and Earn initiative, incentivizing current Bishop’s students to refer potential students, earning up to $500 per referral (for a maximum of 1500$)

            As the tuition crisis captured attention on campus during the fall 2023 semester, many things have changed this past year. Although Bishop’s University was exempted from announced tuition hikes—unlike McGill and Concordia, who still suffered from an out-of-province tuition increase to $12, 000 per year—there are still significant financial repercussions from recent governmental measures. The three interviews, however, display the university’s efforts to strategically plan for the future, and ongoing initiatives like French promotion and recruitment initiatives are aimed at cultivating the Bishop’s experience. 

What can students do? Bishop’s administration wants to hear from you: keep an eye on your email to fill out strategic planning forms, partake in events, and share your opinions with divisional student senators sitting on Senate committees.