This policy sets out the definition of credit instruction to be covered by tuition fees and mandatory supplementary course fees and the process by which such fees will be introduced or changed, published and collected.

Generally, the costs of providing instruction will be covered by the base budget. Although instructional costs vary from program to program, a standard tuition fee or graduate fee unit is assessed in most programs. Exceptions to this policy may be approved by the Board of Governors (e.g. differential fees for professional programs or international students).

Occasionally, additional instructional expenses will be incurred that are of such a nature as to warrant the establishment of a mandatory supplementary course fee.

Scope

This policy will apply to all graduate and undergraduate programs.

Preamble

It is the intention of the University to be consistent in its provision of instruction to students across programs and to make known to the student, to the extent possible, the total cost of materials and services necessary for the completion of a program. The total cost to a student is a composite of the tuition fee per credit hour or per graduate fee unit, additional mandatory fees which are assessed in addition to the basic tuition fee, and the cost of optional materials or services which the student may use or purchase from a variety of sources. This policy addresses the mechanism by which mandatory fees are introduced and changed via the Advisory Committee on Mandatory Supplementary Course Fees and the way in which mandatory fees must be published. The policy also addresses the way in which the total package of materials and services necessary for the completion of a program be communicated to students via the Course Outline.

Section 6 specifies the criteria that must be met before an instructional expense may be compensated by charging a mandatory supplemental fee.

The procedures to be followed when applying for approval of a mandatory supplementary fee are provided in Section 9.

Definitions

1. Credit instruction will include the following:
   

1.1 Evaluation of work or performance, such as marking of papers and exams.

1.2 Laboratory use, including materials and supplies that are consumed during laboratory use. Departments may charge a refundable deposit fee for materials that are used by the student during the course and returned to the University in reasonable condition at the end of the course.

1.3 Basic Library facilities including one library card and access to collections.

1.4 Basic microcomputer laboratory use.

1.5 Materials or services required as a result of the method of instruction such as audiovisual equipment, course outlines, study rooms and films and video tapes that are integral to the instruction and do not become the property of the student.

2. Optional Supplementary Course Fees
   
               2.1 Although this policy does not set out a fee structure for optional supplementary course fees, a definition is provided: optional materials and services may be provided in a department for discretionary use by the student. For example, a department may charge a fee for use of the departmental photocopier or FAX machine. It may also provide additional instructional reading material over and above the required text(s) or prepared course package In addition to items supplied by the department for discretionary purchase by the student, there may be other items required for successful completion of the course which the student may purchase at a variety of sources (e.g. dissecting kits and laboratory coats). The Course Outline should carry a description of optional materials available to the student, with, wherever possible, a cost estimate.