The UofC is the first post-secondary school within Canada to offer free classes if it takes you more than four years to finish your degree.

Do you think this is a good idea? Would it make you feel more secure in your studies?

I like the idea; I think it offers students a level of confidence in their studies that they might not otherwise possess. It could help relieve the stress over difficult exams.

I had to read that a couple of times, but you're saying if you go over 4 years studying there, any classes after that are free?

Yeah, I think that's a pretty good idea actually. The way college is being shoved down everyone's throat these days, myself included, I think there's more and more undecided people and people changing their majors while in college. They told us the average length of time to complete a bachelor's degree at my school is 5.25 years. The thought of all that extra tuition makes my brain bleed.

Though who is paying for those guys taking too long for their degree? Haha, the other students? Better check your statement of account to see if there's any "5th year senior fee."

The provincial government has more than enough money to cover it; research also provides an excellent influx of funds for a college or university.

I'm fond of this idea; it does take a lot of the extra pressure off of students that are serious about learning, but need to find their own direction.

There is a minimum GPA requirement for this though, right?

*is reminded of chris farley's character in tommy boy taking 8 years to graduate*

Basically this is just a scam. They are saying that if you take all of the classes that you are supposed to you will graduate in 4 years.
Wow my university is guaranteeing that I can get a 4 year degree in 4 years. What a fucken amazing concept. Guess what? I did not sign up for this program and I can graduate in 4 years assuming that I do not fail courses/take full course loads.

Hope you realize that there are conditions that the students must meet; the major ones are below.

"The student agrees that to be part of the program, he or she will:
...
3. Meet with the advisor prior to and after registration each term to develop or review a course plan and monitor progress;
4. Register for courses at his or her assigned time and accept any available section of a required class that can be accommodated within an appropriate schedule required to stay on track for graduation;
...
8. Complete one quarter of the course work required for the four year program of study each year;
9. Meet all program requirements
..."

Basically you meet with them each semester and they tell you exactly what courses to take. If you do not take what they tell you to/fail classes, you have violated your part of the agreement and the University is off the hook from paying your tuition if you go longer then four years. Only a retard would not see through this as simply a PR stunt. I highly doubt that the University will ever pay the tuition for a student who signs up for this ‘Guarantee’. Go here for more details on their scam http://www.ucalgary.ca/gradguarantee/

It's a support system, not a PR stunt. It encourages students to do what they should already be doing, while helping to relieve the pressure of the things in life that sometimes come up.

If you're going to school, you should be doing all of those things anyway. Anybody that doesn't meet with an adviser to choose classes is missing out on a great service.

That sounds great. I wish UBC did that, I know I'll be taking more than four years to get my degree :(. I'm sure my friends at the U of C will be delighted :).