WINNIPEG--The Council on Post-Secondary Education (COPSE) confirmed today that the University of Manitoba has withdrawn a proposal to increase graduate student tuition fees. This follows a statement made yesterday in the Legislature, by Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy Diane McGifford, that the proposal from the University of Manitoba to increase to graduate student fees had been withdrawn.

The Canadian Federation of Students–Manitoba, the University of Manitoba Graduate Students' Association, the University of Manitoba Students' Union and other student, faculty, and community organizations have been calling on the provincial government to reject proposals that would see students in a number of faculties at the University of Manitoba pay significantly more tuition fees in Fall 2010.

"These proposals coming forward from the University of Manitoba are completely out of step with provincial policy and are a direct attack on accessible post-secondary education in the Province of Manitoba, "said Jonny Sopotiuk, Manitoba Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "Students, faculty, staff and the community have soundly rejected all requests for these massive tuition fee increases. It's time for the University of Manitoba to withdraw all proposals."COPSE policy on tuition fees outlines six criteria that must be met for universities to be allowed to increase tuition fees. One of those six criteria is "demonstrated student support" for the proposal.

"Graduate students have resoundingly opposed these tuition fee increases," said Meaghan Labine, President of the University of Manitoba Graduate Students' Association, which unanimously opposed the proposals last week. "The University of Manitoba Graduate Students' Association is calling upon Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger to show leadership and reject all proposals for massive tuition fee increases for undergraduate students at the University of Manitoba."

Other proposals to drastically increase tuition fees at the University of Manitoba have been sent to the Provincial Government. COPSE is scheduled to meet tonight to discuss these proposals.

"It is clear that the withdrawal of the proposed fee increases is a victory for students in Manitoba" concluded Sopotiuk. "It's now time for Premier Greg Selinger and the rest of the provincial government to show leadership on this issue and reject these ridiculous proposals to massively increase tuition fees at the University of Manitoba."