Latest news with #TimWalker
CBC
28-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
UPEI hikes tuition by 6.5% for Canadians, 7.5% for international students this fall
Social Sharing The University of Prince Edward Island is increasing tuition fees in the face of falling international enrolments, with the hike being more significant than last year's for both domestic and international students. UPEI's board of governors approved a $202.9-million operating budget for the 2025–2026 fiscal year on Tuesday, with spending up about 11 per cent compared to the last budget. To make the numbers work, the university is raising tuition fees by 6.5 per cent for Canadian students and 7.5 per cent for international students, starting in the fall semester. Last year, the increase was five per cent across the board for all students. The Charlottetown-based university is pointing to a reduction in international students as one of its major financial challenges. First-year international enrolments fell by roughly 50 per cent in 2024–25, costing the institution about $3 million. That trend is expected to continue in 2025–26, with an additional drop of $3 million projected. Tim Walker, UPEI's vice-president of administration and finance, said declining international enrolments and rising costs due to inflation contributed to the decision to raise tuition. "We went to our government partners, who've been very generous, but they are also subject to financial constraint. We looked at all kinds of cost-containment measures. We were successful in containing a lot of costs and bringing down that normal inflation, but there was still a gap," Walker told CBC News. "So, we had to look at the student tuitions with a fresh eye." Walker said that for an average undergraduate student taking 10 courses, the tuition increase will amount to about $460. Financial pressures seen across the country Gabriel Miller, president and CEO of Universities Canada, said UPEI is not alone in facing a money crunch. Many universities across the country are under growing financial pressure due to two key factors, one of which is declining government investment over the past 10 years. "For more than a decade, governments in Canada, both federally and provincially, simply haven't been holding up their end of the bargain when it comes to helping students get a university education," Miller said. To fill that funding gap, universities have been relying on recruiting international students, who bring in more revenue per person. But recent federal reductions to the number of international student permits have created significant budgetary challenges for institutions across Canada. "Both of these factors now have caused a growing financial crisis on campus," Miller said. And so institutions are being forced to make difficult decisions, including raising tuition fees, to reduce deficits while trying to protect the quality of education. Looking ahead, Miller said he hopes Ottawa will fix the immigration system and attract top international talent again — something he said would boost the economy, create jobs and support institutions financially. He also called for stronger provincial investment in post-secondary education. "We need serious, sustained commitments for provinces to make sure that their universities have sustained funding to complement what students and their families are investing themselves." No layoffs or program cuts at UPEI Despite the financial strain, Walker said the university has no plans to lay off staff or shut down academic programs, as Prince Edward Island's other major post-secondary did recently. Holland College said it had no choice given an 83 per cent decrease in its foreign enrolment. But Walker did say the Charlottetown-based university can conduct a "curriculum cohesion review," which involves strategically examining courses, including low-enrolment ones, and possibly redeploying academic resources. Walker said students from Prince Edward Island can also get support through the George Coles Bursary, which increased from $3,200 to $3,500 this year, an amount he said outpaces the amount of the tuition hike. "So essentially, two-thirds of that impact that we are actually putting into our fee is going to be recouped by the increase in the George Coles Bursary," Walker said. For international students, Walker said about one per cent of revenue UPEI earns from the fee increase, which is estimated at between $175,000 and $200,000, is being earmarked for financial-need bursaries for students facing a financial pinch during the school year. "We are not really concerned on the competitiveness front. What we are concerned about is how the students perceive it and how they feel about it, and that's why we put these measures in place," Walker said. 'We're losing talent, we are losing skills' Wasiimah Joomun, executive director of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations, which includes UPEI's student union, said rising tuition costs will limit access to education and reduce the country's ability to build a diverse and skilled workforce. "We're losing talent, we are losing skills, and we are losing that return of investment from this population of Canadians," Joomun said. Mary Feltham, national chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students, said the news from UPEI is concerning and reflects a broader trend across Canada. "Education is a right, and it is very important that these public post-secondary educational institutes act as a service rather than a business," Feltham said.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
13-year-old boy dies after falling off trailer during Green Memorial Day parade
A 13-year-old boy was critically injured and later died May 26 after falling off a parade trailer during the Green Memorial Day parade, the Summit County Sheriff's Office and City of Green confirmed in a release. The incident occurred at 11:23 a.m. when the boy fell off the front of a trailer that was being used as part of a parade float; it was being pulled by a pickup truck. He suffered severe injuries when he was struck by the dual tires of the trailer, the sheriff's office said. The Green Fire Department, who was already on site for the parade, immediately responded to the incident and transported the boy to Akron Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was a seventh grader in North Canton City Schools. The Summit County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident with the Summit Metro Crash team. "The loss of a young life is deeply devastating, and our thoughts and prayers are with the student's family, friends, classmates and teachers during this unimaginable time," incoming North Canton Superintendent Tim Walker said in a message to school parents. It was the second unexpected death for North Canton Schools within 24 hours. Walker's message noted that transportation supervisor Scott Smith who had been "a valued member of our team for the past 18 months and was a dedicated father to two students in our district" also passed away. His message did not say how Smith died. "His professionalism and care for others will be missed," Walker said. He said crisis response teams have been activated and the district will have counseling services and resources available for students and staff. This story has been updated. Patrick Williams covers growth and development for the Akron Beacon Journal. He can be reached by email at pwilliams@ or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @pwilliamsOH. Sign up for the Beacon Journal's business and consumer newsletter, "What's the deal?" This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 13-year-old dies after falling trailer in Green Memorial Day parade
BBC News
26-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
'We are there for older men' says Berkshire social group
A social group that has been running for 10 years was inspired by a housing association men's Matter in Windsor, Berkshire, is run by Tim Walker who said he felt lonely due to poor health but wasn't afraid to ask for group now meets weekly in both Windsor and Maidenhead and have annual day trips which have included Bletchley Park, Brookfields Museum and the Watercress steam train Walker said: "We want to help older men enjoy their retired years." The social group started in 2015, and in 2018 the late Sir Michael Parkinson became a patron. Mr Walker explained that in 2015 his health was quite poor but he went to a housing association said: "There was a room full of senior gentleman, probably about 15 -20 men and the housing association people asked us if we would be interested in forming a support group."We said 'yes' because it sounded like a good idea." He said during that meeting "they talked to us about men in sheds" meaning men who make things in sheds or run allotments."Part of our discussion was 'are we going to be an active group or a sedentary group?' And we went for the latter," he weekly meetings are two hours long, during the first hour there is either a guest speaker or a general knowledge Walker explained the quizzes help support the men's memories and make them explained: "We've had a handful of men referred to us through the NHS Social prescribing network with early-onset dementia. "Which is why we are very conscious that we need to encourage them to think, use their memories as well as be part of the social discussion."It is quite sad that a lot of men during their working life, their job is their focus and when they retire they don't seem prepared for it."The number of men aged over 65 who live alone in the UK is set to rise by 65% to more than 1.5 million by Walker added: "You can quite quickly lose contact with your former workmates, a lot of men do experience loneliness but would never admit to it."The group are holding an event at Maidenhead Library on 19 March between 13:30 - 16:30 GMT which will see 27 exhibitors offer advice and services. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X.
