UCCSU wins fee battle
Students who paid a controversial capitation fee increase at UCC are set to be reimbursed “in the form of credit,” the Cork Independent has learned.
It comes after UCC decided to reverse its decision to slap an €80 increase on its capitation fee for this academic year.
The decision was reached after UCC’s Student Union (UCCSU) threatened High Court legal action challenging UCC’s legal ability to implement such an increase.
In June, UCC approved the gradual implementation of a mandatory €200 fee for all Irish and EU undergraduate students enrolled in the university.
This meant an increase in the capitation fee for the academic year 2019/20 to €250 and ultimately to €370 in 2022/23.
With approximately 12,400 students paying this fee directly, UCC’s increase would have collected an estimated €2.4 million from students every year.
UCCSU President Ben Dunlea said: “UCC and UCCSU have a close relationship built upon a fundamental respect for one another and it is due to this respect that this union’s executive engaged pro-actively with the university over the past several months.
“While I am thrilled to see UCC reverse their decision, I am disheartened that this was a decision that only became possible after a threat of litigation was issued by the union’s representatives. As an institution that is heavily funded by the public, it is important that we remain accountable to the public.
“It is a condemnation of the system that the only barrier to the introduction of a potentially unlawful fee was several Student Union officers and the students who campaigned alongside us. While the matter may be settled in principle, I would urge that this is taken as an opportunity for universities and the Higher Education Authority to review their decision making processes and accountability mechanisms, so we can avoid this situation again.”
Speaking about reimbursement, a UCC spokesman said: “Students will receive this in the form of a credit the next time they have to pay the fee.”
A UCC statement to the paper said: “UCC has seen significantly increased pressure on student services funded by the capitation fee. The capitation fee at UCC is used solely for student services, such as counselling and support, mental health services, sports and recreations facilities and a fund for students who are experiencing financial difficulties. Services supported by the capitation fee are not funded by the Government, at a time when student numbers and demand for services has increased. UCC has one of the lowest capitation fees in Ireland. While an increase in capitation fee was applied to first year students in September, this has now been withdrawn.”
UCC wishes to continue its engagement with its students to ensure these essential services are provided for the entire student body.”