The Board of Governors for the University of Northern British Columbia has approved a balanced budget for the 2008-09 fiscal year, begun the process to recruit a new president, and endorsed the development of a proposal to have UNBC Athletics compete against other universities.

Balanced Budget for 08-09
At its meeting in March, the Board approved a deficit budget, pending the identification of how the University would absorb a 2.6% reduction in anticipated funding (equivalent to roughly $1 million) announced earlier that month by the Ministry of Advanced Education. The shortfall is being offset by the following actions:

• allocating nearly $475,000 from the 2007-08 one-time surplus
• eliminating $60,000 in anticipated capital repayment costs
• cutting a newly created “Strategic Investment Fund” (SIF) from $1 million to $500,000.

The SIF was created to enable the University to invest in programs and activities that would make its operations more efficient and/or make the university more attractive to students. The remainder of the SIF will support development of teaching skills among faculty, creation of a Legal Studies Institute, and strengthen activities geared to recruiting more international students. Other new investments in 2008-09 are being made to renovate the student residences, purchase digital film and television equipment for a digital media program, and implement high-definition videoconferencing between Prince George, Terrace, and Fort St. John.

Athletics
The Board has approved the development of a proposal that could see UNBC competing against other universities by 2010. The application, being developed by UNBC Athletics, must be submitted to Canadian Interuniversity Sport by July 31 for consideration in the Canada West conference. The application will be for men’s and women’s basketball; the UNBC soccer teams will continue to play in the BC Colleges Athletic Association.

Northern Medical Program Renewal
The Board has re-appointed Dr. David Snadden to a five-year term as the University’s Vice Provost of Medicine. “While my first five years was focused on building and establishing the Northern Medical Program together with UBC, Northern Health, and regional physicians, I am looking forward to consolidating what we have and ensuring a long-term future of excellence for the program,” says Dr. Snadden, who came to UNBC in 2003.

Physiotherapy Program to Start
The Board welcomed news that Government of British Columbia has committed funding to allow UNBC to start offering Physical Therapy education starting in 2009. The program will admit 20 students per year and build on UNBC’s strengths in the health sciences, which also includes the Northern Medical Program, the Bachelor of Health Sciences, expanded Nursing education throughout northern BC, and the Family Nurse Practitioner program.

Board Chair
Dr. Donald Rix of Vancouver has been elected by Board members to continue to serve as Chair. Dr. Rix   has served on the Board since 2003 and has served as Chair since 2005. As a result of the vote in today’s meeting, Dawn Martin of Terrace will be Vice-Chair.  

Presidential Search
The Board is expected to announce an Interim President soon, following a recent review of prospective candidates. The Board has also initiated a full search for a new President. A selection committee is being struck immediately and advertisements will be placed in select publications and websites starting this summer.

The Board is also publicly announcing the details of the two separation agreements it reached with former President, Don Cozzetto, who stepped down from the position in early June. One of the agreements deals with the conclusion of Dr. Cozzetto’s appointment as President. This agreement provides Dr. Cozzetto with the monetary equivalent of one year’s salary and benefits valued at $342,804.67. The other agreement provides Dr. Cozzetto with $150,000 to surrender his academic appointment as a Full Professor with tenure.

“Dr. Cozzetto and the Board agreed that he bore a high personal and professional cost as a result of his efforts to address some financial and structural challenges faced by the University,” says Dr. Donald Rix, Chair of the UNBC Board of Governors. “Together, we decided that it was in everyone’s best interests to reach an amicable ending of the relationship and move on.”

Dr. Cozzetto completed two years as President of UNBC. He was appointed to a five-year term that began on July 1, 2006.

Contact:
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC – 250.960.5622