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Information
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S.95-11
Senate Committee on University Budget
.
Annual Report to Senate
This report covers the period November 1, 1993, to October 31, 1994.
Committee members during this period were K. Heinrich (Chair),
J .
Driver,
P. Winne (replaced by M. Bowman from January 10, 1994, until April 30), L. Boland,
J .
D'Auria (replaced by L. Hafer, then P. Percival); S. Wade (replaced by D. Einstein,
then S. Wu),
J .
Bacani, K. Hoeflich (replaced by K. Chan), R. Ward (Vice-President
Finance and Administration), W. Wattamaniuk (Secretary).
In accord with its mandate, throughout the year SCUB received regular
financial updates from the Vice-President, Finance and Administration. These
updates provided the Committee with information on: the University's
consultations with the Provincial Government; progress on funding for new
buildings -- their tendering and construction; outcomes of negotiations between the
University and employee organizations; changes in external regulations that affect
University costs (e.g., B.C. Hydro increases); financial difficulties facing universities
in other provinces; allocation of special government one-time funds to the
University (e.g., earthquake upgrading, the B.C. Innovation Fund); general
information on the University's fiscal position; and continuing explanations of how
the University's financial process works.
Further information on the University's fiscal management was provided by
the Chair who, as a member of the President's Advisory Committee on Priorities
and Budget, was privileged to be part of the senior administration's discussions on
such items as: the ten percent budget-cutting exercise carried out by all units;
allocation of enrolment increase funding; development of guidelines for the
Academic Enhancement Fund; and selection of projects to be submitted to the B.C.
Innovation Fund. In addition, the Chair was invited to participate in a retreat
(September 17, 1994) of Vice-Presidents, Deans, the Director of Development, the
University Planning Co-ordinator and chaired by the President.
SCUB continued its practice of meeting regularly with the Vice-Presidents
and the following meetings took place:
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November 3, 1993
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J.
Munro, Vice-President, Academic
January 12, 1994
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J.
Osborne, Associate Vice-President, Academic
February 2, 1994
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J.
Osborne and L. Tolan to discuss computing charges
April 13, 1994
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J.
Blaney, Vice-President, Harbour Centre and
Development
May 18, 1994
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W. De Vries, Vice-President, Administration
June 8, 1994
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B. Clayman, Vice-President, Research, and Dean of
Graduate Studies
July 6, 1994
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D. Boal, Co-ordinator, Presidential Committee on
University Planning
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As a result, SCUB made recommendations to the President on: allocation of
tuition revenue generated by the additional FTEs; computing charges; budgetary
approval for new programs; the 1994-95 budget; tuition and ancillary fees.
In February, 1993, SCUB was asked by the President to co-ordinate an
information /consultation process on the 1994/95 budget with the University
community. Working with the office of the Vice-President, Finance and
Administration, a budget document describing three possible scenarios for the
1994/95 budget year was prepared and presented to the University asking for
comments and suggestions. Responses were received via e-mail and through
meetings with individual Faculties (Science, Applied Sciences and Arts).
Information obtained was used as a basis for recommendations made by SCUB to
the President and presented to Senate for information at its June 6, 1994, meeting
(Senate paper S94.47 which can be obtained from the Secretary to Senate). At that
time the President's response to our suggestions was verbally reported. To
summarize: Funding for several long-term employees in the Vice-President,
Research, Office was moved from the non-recurring to the recurring budget, as was
the cost of the Development Office lease. (SCUB has supported movement, of such
funds but had seen the VAX lease as the first priority.) A portion of the enrolment
grant (funds of $3,361,000 allocated to the University in recognition of 485 additional
undergraduate FTEs) was used to support the scholarship budget (as we had
recommended). Budget cuts were made to all academic and administrative units
and the attached table shows both cuts and the allocation of Enrolment Funds to
reflect either increased enrolment or increased expenses resulting from increased
enrolment (as recommended by SCUB). The
Academic
Enhancement Fund was
established and a recent
SFNews
report (November 17, 1994, issue) described how
these funds were allocated. (SCUB had recommended that this be funded from the
enrolment funding but the decision was made not to do so.) In that report, SCUB
also commented on issues raised by the community.
SCUB is currently reviewing the 1994/95 process which, suitably modified,
will be repeated for the 1995/96 budget.
For some time, members of SCUB have been concerned about the process of
expanding programs (typically by the addition of new courses) with what appeared
to be little recognition of the costs incurred (instructional, computer, space).
Although policies have been implemented requiring library needs to be addressed,
other costs remained unaccounted for. Since advising the President on "the
financial implications of Senate approved academic program additions or those
involving substantial change" is part of SCUB's mandate, SCUB revised the
budgetary components of both course proposal forms for new courses and forwarded
them to SCUS and SGS for consideration. We are optimistic that changes will be
made and an accountability process will evolve.
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This exercise again brought home to SCUB the difficulties in fully
interpreting and effecting its role in the budgetary process. Discussions have taken
place with the President and the Vice-Presidents and it is hoped that, with SCUB's
new role in the annual budget process and a possible redesign of its mandate, it will
find a more valuable and useful niche within the University structure.
.
1994/95 ENROLLMENT FUNDING AND BUDGET REDUCTIONS
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Enrolment
?
Budget
?
FundingReductions ?
Inc/(Dec)
?
($000's)
?
($000's)
?
(WOO's)
President ?
-6
?
-6
VP Academic
Arts
605
-210
395
Business
70
-60
10
Education
50
-100
-50
Science
260
-200
60
Applied Sciences
100
-190
-90
Continuing Studies
170
-60
110
Library
200
-90 ?
1
110
IMC
45
-22
23
Co-op
51
51
Registrar's
-65
Computing
-86
-86
Animal Care
-2
-2
Graduate Studies
-4
-4
Analytical Studies
-3
-3
International Office
-3
-3
VP Academic Office
-21
-21
Total
VP
Academic
1551
-1116
435
VP Financial Services
18
-43
-25
VP Administration
Facilities Management
-67
-67
Support Services
-62
-62
Athletics/ Recreation
-26
-26
Student Services
-18
-18
Security (Main & HC)
49
49
Total
VP
Administration
49
-173
-124
VP Research
-6
-6
VP Harbour Centre
Harbour Centre
-28
-28
Simon Fraser Gallery
-1
-1
Media/Public Relations
-7
-7
VP Info/External Relations
-12
-12
Total VP Harbour Centre
0
-48
-48
Total
1618
-1392
226
Total
Available
1532
-1235
297
(Over)/Under
-86
157
71
S
