As a good-neighbour gesture across the border, the University of Windsor will offer American students a tuition fee of $5,000 per semester beginning September 2013—a savings of up to $5,000 per semester compared to the international fees American students were previously paying.

The U.S. Neighbour Fee approved by the Board of Governors at its April 30 meeting applies only to first-year undergraduate students who apply for any program except law. The fee for American students recognizes the large proximal population directly to the north of the UWindsor campus.

“The Windsor community has deep historical connections to Michigan and beyond,” said UWindsor president Alan Wildeman. “For many, commuting across the border is something they are very familiar with and represents an international engagement that is unique to regions such as ours.”

He anticipates the new lower fee will result in a growth in enrolment of American students from the current number of 82.

“This new fee allows us to be very competitive with adjacent American universities,” he said. “Professional programs such as engineering and business may be of particular interest, but we have programs across all disciplines that could be attractive to our neighbours.”

The University plans to step up its recruitment efforts in Michigan and will launch a strategic marketing campaign in 2014.

“We will be inviting prospective students across the border to put the ‘u’ in neighbour and come to UWindsor,” said Dr. Wildeman.

UWindsor already has established strong relationships with Michigan universities through shared programs in social work, law, political science and Visual Arts in the Built Environment.