Price hike for mandatory meal plan “blindsides” UNB student

The cost increase associated with the University of New Brunswick Saint John’s decision to convert all meal plans to an all-you-can-eat model has left one student feeling “blindsided,” reports CBC. “[I]ncluding the tuition increase for my bachelor of health and the increase for my room and the meal plan, I have to come up with an additional $3,260,” said student Garett Oakes, whose meal plan alone will cost an additional $2,100 (61.7%). UNB Associate Vice-Provost, Student Affairs and Services Sheldon MacLeod explained that the university decided to move all meal plans to the all-you-can-eat-model in order to improve food security, as the university noticed students on the pay-as-you-go model eating less food as they got to the end of the school year. The price increase also takes into account the rising cost of food and labour.