VIU Students Join Province-Wide Call to Action: “Cuts Suck. Fix Education.”
Students at Vancouver Island University are standing up against program cuts, reduced services, and rising fees by joining their peers across BC through the BC Federation of Students’ province-wide Cuts Suck. Fix Education. campaign.
On Wednesday, September 17, the VIU Students’ Union will host the local launch of the campaign in the Quad outside the Upper Cafeteria from 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM. Remarks from student leaders will begin at 11:45 AM, followed by a chance for students and community members to take action by sending postcards to the provincial government.
Public funding for post-secondary education in BC has fallen to just 40% of institutional operating budgets, down from 68% in 2000. At VIU, this underfunding has led to program cancellations, service reductions, and new fees — all while tuition continues to rise. Students are being asked to pay more while receiving less, and it’s impacting their ability to graduate on time and access the supports they need to succeed.
“This is a tipping point for VIU students,” said Sarah Mei, Chairperson of the VIU Students’ Union. “Programs have been cut, services reduced, and new fees added — students cannot keep absorbing the cost of government underfunding.”
The Cuts Suck. Fix Education. campaign is a coordinated effort of students from more than 14 post-secondary institutions across BC to pressure the provincial government to reinvest in colleges and universities and protect access to education.
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM (remarks at 11:45 AM)
Location: Quad outside the Upper Cafeteria
Learn more about the campaign at www.CutsSuck.ca.
The full release can be found here
