Aftermath of the AUB protest

Students protesting against tuition fee increase

On Wednesday, over a 1000 students protested outside the American University of Beirut (AUB) against the proposed changes in tuition fees that are due to be implemented next year.

The protest and class boycott continued on Thursday and later on Friday, an agreement was reached.

The protest was organized by the USFC and the students club but it seems that the agreement that  happened between the USFC and the administration was not approved by the whole organizers. Many students are criticizing this move by the USFC on the official page of the protest on facebook.

Here’s the explanation provided by the members:

- The 15 credit policy was a proposal where student were protesting against. USFC’s move gave it the student blessing to be implemented in 2011-12 (although most, if not all, the current USFC members would graduate till 2011-12)

- “assuring restructuring the financial aid system”? this statement is inaccurate. the president’s reply today was as follows:
“An external consulting company (more expenses and room for possible corruption) to STUDY the financial aid system at AUB and PROPOSE reform measures of the current system.”. What if they find that the existing structure is good?

- “All students eligible for financial aid won’t pay the extra 3 credits over and above the financial aid packages”? this statement is inaccurate. the president’s reply today was as follows:

“AUB will extend financial aid packages to cover the cost of the additional three credits for students eligible for financial aid, over and above the regular financial aid package.” (they did not mention ALL students eligible). So it goes back to the same meaning in the earlier message of the president a day after the protest. Nothing basically achieved.

So, please help me find what was actually achieved by the USFC.

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