The University of Northern British Columbia Board of Governors today approved UNBC's operating budget for the 1999-2000 fiscal year.

"The objectives for this budget exercise were to achieve a balanced budget, maintain at least the current level of academic and administrative operations, and avoid layoffs. We've achieved each objective," says UNBC President Charles Jago. "However, it's important to recognize that UNBC is growing, there's regional and local demand for more offerings, and we need additional staffing for areas of greatest demand. Many units are understaffed and the combination of static government revenues and the tuition fee freeze is constraining the ability of UNBC to meet enrolment pressures." Budget Highlights

• The value of the operating budget is $33 million.

• New faculty positions are being created in Biology to address enrolment pressures. Last year, new positions were also announced in Business, Forestry, Computer Science, and Nursing.

• The capital reserve fund will grow by $800,000 to ensure UNBC can replace existing computer and research equipment and maintain its technological edge.

• The library acquisition budget will remain $1.1 million. Earlier this year, Maclean's ranked the UNBC Library #1 in Canada for the proportion of its budget that goes to new acquisitions.

The major source of UNBC revenue is the Provincial Government grant, which is estimated to be $25.5 million in 1999-2000. Salaries and benefits account for about two-thirds of expenditures.