Students Nova Scotia Responds to Financial Relief for Universities

Students Nova Scotia Responds to Financial Relief for Universities

January 12, 2021

For Immediate Release

Halifax, NS - Today, The Government of Nova Scotia announced $25 million in financial relief to Nova Scotia’s universities in response to increased financial pressures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Postsecondary institutions are a major economic driver within our province, and their financial sustainability remains paramount in ensuring an accessible, affordable and high quality education that prioritizes student services and supports. With a reduction in resources, institutions have struggled to deliver on educational quality, and Students Nova Scotia implores institutions to use this funding to improve the academic experience.

“We understand that COVID-19 has created unexpected financial constraints for Nova Scotia universities, so we welcome any measures that promote institutional sustainability moving forward.” says Samantha Graham, Chair of StudentsNS. “However, we hope institutions will be held accountable in ensuring that these funds are directed towards supporting students given the widespread academic and financial challenges they have experienced over the past year.” 

With this allocation of funding to Nova Scotia post-secondary institutions, institutions should take steps to address the decreased quality of education that many students have reported experiencing over the past year with the transition to virtual or hybrid learning. Additional funding allows institutions to innovate the current learning experience to ensure that students are continually receiving a high quality post-secondary education in Nova Scotia. 

“Students are consistently sharing that the quality of their education has decreased during this unprecedented year, leading to widespread frustration towards paying increased tuition for a lower quality education” says Clancy McDaniel, Executive Director of StudentsNS. “We support this investment into postsecondary in Nova Scotia - however, there needs to be accountability in ensuring these additional resources enhance students’ current experience”.  

Students Nova Scotia is the province’s largest student advocacy organization, representing 20,000 students at the undergraduate, graduate, and college levels of study. Students Nova Scotia supports today’s investment in the hopes that improvements are coming to students’ 2020-21 academic experience.

For more information, contact:

Clancy McDaniel

StudentsNS Executive Director

director@studentsns.ca   

(902) 476-2367