EGP Flotation: With Tuition Fee Hike Likely, Students Threaten Strike

President Ricciardone Reaches out to the Community to Clarify Administration’s Position

By: Malak Sekaly and Yasmine Bassily
@malaksekaly @Yasmine_Bassily

On Tuesday morning, President Francis J. Ricciardone sent an email out to the AUC community assuring them that the administration is actively looking for solutions to deal with the fallout with the Egyptian pound’s devaluation and its effect on tuition fees.

“For the immediate term, let me reassure our parents and students that we will find operational and fiscal solutions so that no current student will have to withdraw for inability to meet the tuition payments due on November 20, at the EGP prices determined previously under the former fixed exchange rate. We are studying all options to accomplish this relief for those families unable meet those payments,” he said in the email.

His email came in response to protests which spread across campus on November 7 after a forum – organized by the Student Union (SU) with the administration to discuss the impact of the floating of the pound on education at AUC – collapsed.

The forum included President Francis J. Ricciardone, Chief Financial Officer Brian McDougall, Provost Sherif Sedky and Assistant Professor of Economics Samer Attallah, SU President Amr El Alfy and more than 100 students packed into Moataz El Alfy Hall.

Many students told The Caravan that they felt as though the forum was not effectively addressing their fears of rumors that tuition could rise by as much as EGP 35,000 next semester.

The forum began with a slideshow presented by McDougall aimed at addressing AUC’s previous economic situation and the impact the dollar exchange rate has had on the university’s budget.

“We are challenged to live with a reality in terms of existing revenues,” said McDougall.

Ricciardone said that the current economic crisis meant that a tuition hike would be inevitable.

“With all due respect, we are not here to listen to the economic crisis of the nation,” SU President Amr El Alfy said as he called on the administration to provide tangible solutions instead.

After much back and forth between students and Ricciardone, tension grew as some said the administration was unable to comprehend the depth of their frustration and financial burden.

As administration representatives tried to explain, they were interrupted with shouts from the audience demanding “we want a solution.”

In response, Ricciardone said “there is no free lunch. We cannot have magical thinking.”

But students continued to press for a working plan from administration.

“Is my tuition going to go up 35,000 pounds next semester? Yes or no? And ‘I don’t know’ is not an answer,” said one of the students attending the forum, in attempt to reach a solid conclusion.

Ricciardone responded by saying that a yes or no answer was not possible and that it was a “ridiculous” question, leading the student to claim that it was part of the President’s responsibility to have answers.

“I cannot tell you in January what the dollar to the pound will be. I am talking to you about a painful truth,” Ricciardone said.

“It’s not ridiculous. What’s ridiculous is what your presentation is saying,” responded the student.

El Alfy said that many students were considering transferring to other universities due to the expected increase in tuition fees.

SU Chair of Political Representation Mohamed Gadalla said this would be a setback for the university.

“It is not even an option for current students to leave university, we have already invested money in these people and having them leave would be a financial loss,” Gadalla said, reiterating Ricciardone’s position as described in their private meetings.

Students also questioned how much money went into the presidential inauguration held last October given the financial shortfalls the university is facing.

Ricciardone said that the ceremony was funded by donors.

As students continued to shout and chant throughout the hall, others felt that the SU should have been more in control and serious about how it voiced student concerns.

El Alfy repeatedly called on students to quiet down so that they be taken seriously.

However, when it seemed an impasse had been reached El Alfy concluded the forum by saying, “please consider this number of students who want to know one thing, if they will pay the deferred payment with the increased tuition or not.”

Ricciardone told students that they have been heard and that he would be truthful with them.

However, he said there was no magic solution.

El Alfy then encouraged students not to attend classes until the university responds to SU demands as he led a demonstration from El Alfi Hall to the Administration Building, where they continue to demand answers.

Another meeting is expected to be held on November 9 during assembly hour in Bassily Hall.