Tuition Fees

As an amendment to motion S4M-05652 in the name of Michael Russell (Tuition Fees), leave out from “and will” to end and insert "; recognises the continuing underrepresentation and higher dropout rates at universities of students from lower income backgrounds; notes that part-time and postgraduate university students have to pay fees; further notes with concern that the financial settlement for universities in this spending round has coincided with cuts to college budgets; believes that the long-term sustainability of university funding beyond 2014-15 needs to be addressed; recognises that maintaining the funding of Scotland's universities could lead to cuts elsewhere; rejects the funding model prevailing in England; notes that the report of the Scottish Government-commissioned Independent Budget Review Panel stated that 'a debate needs to be had on whether those who can afford to pay might be invited to do so, thus allowing better targeting of those in most need'; supports the view of the Commission on the Future Delivery of Public Services that 'contentious issues must be considered openly and transparently, rather than in the current polarised terms', and supports the establishment of an independent commission on further and higher education in Scotland."