An MSP is throwing his support behind a campaign to scrap graduation fees at University of the West of Scotland (UWS) who are based in Paisley.
A petition started by UWS Student Representative Janel Muir from Paisley has already received over 2,000 signatures.
Now, Neil Bibby, Labour MSP for West of Scotland is backing local students at UWS who are campaigning to scrap graduation fees at the university.
UWS charges students £40 to graduate in person or absentia along with compulsory gown hire at £42 for a few hours.
Mr Bibby tabled a parliamentary motion in the Scottish Parliament supporting the calls of students and the Students’ Association UWS (SAUWS).
Neil Bibby MSP said “I do understand the financial pressures that UWS are under and the Scottish Government do need to step up and provide proper funding for them. I recognise that universities like UWS are at the forefront of getting more young people from deprived backgrounds into higher education and need financial support from government to achieve this, but this cannot justify graduation fees for those same young people.
The charges being imposed on students at our local university are a singularly unfair tax. I note that a number of other universities such as Glasgow, Strathclyde and Stirling have already scrapped these charges. The SAUWS and students like Janel Muir are to be congratulated for campaigning on this issue and they have my support. I hope that the university listens and that the students are successful in their campaign.”
A spokesperson for the University of the West of Scotland, said: “The University is considering a number of competing and challenging factors associated with the cost of delivering graduation ceremonies. The University remains fully committed to its students and is very aware of the financial pressure that some may face. For example, this is why last year we were the first University in Scotland to introduce free gym memberships for students using our fitness facilities. However, we do have to account for the significant cost of staging graduation ceremonies and find an appropriate balance.
“No decision has yet been made on the University’s position and we are actively considering the options regarding costs and the associated advantages / disadvantages to our students. As an interim measure however, we are considering introducing a graduation scholarship fund to support students who face financial challenges and details of this will be made available in due course.
“As ever we always listen to the views of our students and will continue to work closely with our partners at the University’s Student’s Association – SAUWS – as we continue to consider this matter.”
A link to the petition can be found here.