The Board of Governors for the University of Northern British Columbia has approved a $48.3 million operating budget for the 2004-05 fiscal year. In approving the budget, the Board also approved a tuition increase of 10% for most UNBC students.

A primary goal of budget planning this year has been to moderate increases in tuition fees, which rose by 23% in 2002/03 and 33% in 2003/04. The increase in tuition is lower than other BC universities, such as SFU and UBC, which are implementing fee increases of around 15%. The moderate fee increase at UNBC recognizes that the University's students are more likely to live away from home than their counterparts at SFU or UBC, and UNBC students also carry higher debt levels than other BC university students. International students will now pay three times the domestic student rate (up from 2.75 times) for tuition, although international graduate students will pay the same fees as domestic students. Students will now contribute about 27% of the University's total operating budget. With the increase, an average full-time undergraduate student will pay $4030 per year, up from nearly $3700 this year.

"Adding together tuition increases, internal cuts and deferrals amounting to about $1 million, and increased year-end funding from the BC Government, the University has been able to protect the current range of services and fund strategic priorities that will strengthen the University," says UNBC President Charles Jago. "Investing in strategic priorities will ensure the further growth and development of UNBC. In this budget, we have sought to balance the financial interests of students with the need to maintain and enhance the strengths of the University."

Priorities include improving the research environment and supporting graduate students, strengthening the infrastructure and support for information technology, and providing additional funds in areas of enrolment growth. For example, the University is creating a new faculty position in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Funds are also being allocated to support the continued planning for the Northern Sport Centre and a student union building, and expand offerings in the Continuing Education program.