The Retirees' Newsletter

The Retirees's Association ( Faculty, Librarian, Administrator), University of Windsor, Windsor, Ont. Canada

Vol IX , No. 3, June 1999

BUDGET 1999-2000

FIRST EXPANSIONARY BUDGET IN A DECADE

The University of Windsor Board of Governors passed a 1999-2000 budget that ushers in a new era for the university.

"For the first time in almost a decade, the university will be working with an expansionary budget, one that does more than try merely to cope with yet another round of budget cuts," says President Ross Paul.

Dr. Paul says, the university finally has an opportunity to redefine and renew itself, because first-year enrolment is expected to increase for the second year in a row. There will be a modest one-percent increase in government operating grants.

"This is an important budget, one that will help define what the University of Windsor will be during the first years of the 21st Century. We are in an era of unprecedented competition, one in which only the very best of academic programs and services will survive. It is critical to have both a clear vision and the will and capacity to realize it," Dr. Paul told the board. The redefinition and renewal of the University of Windsor are driven by the strategic blueprint-The Best of Both Worlds (BOBW).

Total expenditures budgeted for 1999-2000 are $107.5 million, up from $101 million last year.

The principals that guided the development of the 1999-2000 operating budget ensured, there would be no operating deficit and began investments established as priorities in the BOBW. The budget was developed keeping in mind, the need to build on last year's initiative, to give students a greater voice in budget allocations and to initiate the delegation of authority and responsibility to the colleges as envisioned in the BOBW. The budget also set out to reduce the central contingency fund by ensuring annual expenditures previously supported by in-year allocations would now be provided for in the budget.

Critical areas for investment are listed in the new era budget Number one is student recruitment.

$320,000-central student recruitment budget for both domestic and international students.

Faculty renewal - 55 new positions, additional $50,000 has been budgeted for faculty recruitment support.

$3 million from the Faculty Pension Holiday Reserve to support the early hiring of replacements

$453,000 to enhance the Quality of Student Life, and the Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund

$136,000 and $95,000 for basic student academic services and academic counselling.

$82,000 - Volunteer Internship Program support and career placement counselling. $40,000 has been invested in co-op program support.

$81,000 to support improved communications to the students regarding pertinent program information.

$320,000 GTA support to graduate students.

$80,000 to support the University 101 course. Also, $78,000 of base funding is provided for the continuation of the Student Information Resource Centre.

$40,000 has been made to improve student counselling services on campus.

$105,000 is allocated among the three main college budgets and the Division of Instructional Development for technical equipment upgrades.

Law Library - $33,000, The Leddy Library -$90,000

Increased financial aid to students, from $801,500 in 1995/96 to $5,179,000 in 1999/00.

An amount of $2 million will be allocated from the Faculty Pension Holiday Reserve to further improve access to the university and academic excellence on campus.

A Research Support Fund of $150,000 has been established to support innovative research opportunities in the coming year.

A further $92,000 will enable the university to meet present commitments.

$2,500,000 of the Faculty Pension Holiday Reserve be used in support of the Dramatic Arts component of a new arts complex for the University of Windsor.

$3,000,000 for facility, classroom, and residence upgrades.

Utilities budget has been increased by $670,000.

$100,000 for Computer Science and related programs.

$1 million is allocated from the Pension Holiday Reserve to support Information Technology

TUITION INCREASE

KEEPS WINDSOR AMONG LOWEST IN ONTARIO

The University of Windsor's tuition fees for the coming year follow the university's policy of keeping its tuition at the low end of competitive rates across Ontario. Tuition fees were set as part of the budget package approved by the Board of Governors.

The University of Windsor will increase most undergraduate tuition fees 8.2 percent for the academic year beginning May 1. Education, Engineering, Business, and Computer Science will be increased by 12.25 percent.

Law students enrolled as of April 30 will pay 12.25 percent more and Law students enrolled after April 30 will pay 20 percent more than the current fee.

Graduate student fees for Canadians and landed immigrants will increase by five percent in 1999/2000 and will be frozen in 2000/2001, together with a two-year phase out of the post-residency fee.

By government regulation, the University of Windsor could increase its regulated tuition fees a maximum of 12.25 percent this year, with no individual program being raised more than 20 percent.

Per semester, tuition for most students is going from $1,725 to $1,867. It is going from $1,874 to $2,103 for engineering students; $1,927 to $2,163 for education students; $1,750 to $1,964 for law students, and $1,735 to $1,867 for business and computer science students.

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