Greetings and Happy New Year. I would like to provide an update on the budget process that is currently underway. As I mentioned in my last report, our strategic budget planning has resulted in a positive outcome where expenditures and revenues have been aligned to create what we expect will be a balanced budget for fiscal 2008/09. This means that no additional faculty or staff reductions are anticipated and if we continue to manage our resources in a prudent manner, the future looks bright for UNBC.
 
A number of university-wide committees have played an important role in the development of the budget for next fiscal year and their advice and input has been invaluable. These include the Senate Committee on the University Budget (SCUB), the fees committee, Deans Council, and Budget Cabinet. We are working towards a timeline of having the completed budget document presented to the Board of Governors for approval during the last week of March. Senate will have a chance to review the document before it is presented to the Board.
 
For those who may not be aware, the University has also created a strategic investment fund (SIF). As I indicated in my remarks during the campus Town Hall meeting in September, the SIF is intended to fund creative ideas that improve existing programs and services or develop new opportunities for UNBC as we move forward. The SIF is open to applications from faculty and staff from all programs and departments, and proposals that include ideas from students are also welcome. Several projects related to the Embracing Change; Promoting Excellence strategic priorities have already received funding approval.
 
The next few months will be critical for post-secondary education in British Columbia. We eagerly await the outcomes of the Campus 2020 review, the Throne Speech on February 12, and tabling of the BC budget on February 19. The Premier’s announcement of $94.5 million for a Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions is an illustration of the government’s high expectations of the four research-intensive universities (UNBC, UBC, SFU, and UVic). Stay tuned and I will provide another update in early April once our internal budget process has been completed.

 

Don Cozzetto