By Sara Hanson
Students who enjoy the convenience of paying their tuition fees with Visa or MasterCard will be forced to find an alternative method of payment this summer.
Earlier this week, a notice was posted on the University of Calgary’s enrollment services webpage notifying students of the change; however, the university has yet to publicly announce the reasons behind the decision.
In 2004, the nearly $1 million in credit card processing fees was raised as an issue of concern, as the university noted the money could be better spent on other services for students. At the time, however, the Students’ Union stressed that credit card payment was a necessity for those students who need extra time to earn enough money to cover their fees.
SU president Julie Bogle stated that while the SU was notified of the decision two weeks ago, they were not adequately consulted in the process.
“It is really unfortunate that after the SU has worked in collaboration with the university successfully on so many other projects that there was not any appropriate consolation on a policy of this magnitude,” said Bogle. “We really would have like to see something like a one year time line which would have allowed students to prepare and make the appropriate financial commendations.”
The policy change comes into effect Jul. 1, 2008.
University administration could not be reached for comment before press time.