U of S Board announces 2002-03 operating budget
Posted May 10, 2002
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 10, 2002 2002-05-07-OTHER
U of S Board announces 2002-03 operating budget
The University of Saskatchewan's Board of Governors today approved an
operating budget that will complete a two-year national norm tuition policy
and further the University's strategic vision.
The $230.5 million operating budget projected for 2002/03 includes a 2.3%
economic increase in the provincial operating grant and a projected formula
funding adjustment of $2.56 million. It also includes an increase in tuition
revenues consistent with the national norm policy adopted by the board of
governors in 2001 and in keeping with increased enrolments.
In applying the national norm policy, tuition adjustments will vary
according to program. Over 41% of students will be assessed a tuition
increase of 4% or less. Almost 16% of students, those in programs where
tuition has lagged far behind the national norm, will face double-digit
increases. (See backgrounder)
"For the University to remain competitive with our peers on a national scale
requires a comparable level of funding support from both the Province and
students," said University President Peter MacKinnon.
The 2002/03 tuition fee structure has also been changed to include computer
lab fees. In the past, these fees have been assessed and paid separately.
Under the new structure, almost all fees will be consolidated with tuition,
which is tax deductible and included on the T2202, eliminating the need to
keep receipts. It will also assist students in planning their budget for the
academic year by minimizing unexpected charges throughout the term.
The new operating budget will direct about $300,000 to enhancing the
university's scholarship and bursary fund, attracting the best and brightest
students and providing assistance to those high need students who may
otherwise find their program of choice inaccessible. (See backgrounder)
A further $1 million is being allocated towards support for graduate
students. This expenditure will improve the university's ability to recruit
and retain graduate students, a critical element in strengthening the
university's research capability.
Additional funds will also go towards improving student access to computers
and technology ($720,000) and implementing a student information system
($1.15 million), which will better meet the strategic and academic planning
goals of the institution and will provide better services to students.
"Along with national norm tuition, students expect national norm quality and
services," said Frank Quennell, University Board of Governors Chair. "This
budget continues to build on the President's strategic vision for a
nationally competitive university while also improving areas of particular
student concern."
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For more information, please contact:
Peter MacKinnon or Frank Quennell
President Board Chair
University of Saskatchewan University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6612 (306) 933-1352
University of Saskatchewan
2002/03 Budget Highlights
* Implementation of the final phase (Year 2) of the national norm tuition
policy.
* Computer lab fees rolled into tuition, providing greater transparency and
comparability with other institutions, enhancing students' ability to plan,
and improving efficiency.
* 10% of the national norm tuition increases allocated to incremental
undergraduate scholarship/bursary support.
* $1 million allocated in support of graduate scholarships/bursaries.
* $.72 million allocated to student computing to accommodate access and
expanded services.
* $1.15 million allocated to the Student Information System.
* Total University of Saskatchewan operating budget in 2002/03: $230.5
million.
* Increase in provincial government grant: $7.021 million, including
economic increases, activity adjustment, and commitment for additional
Medicine and Nursing students.
* Increase in tuition revenue: $6.433 million, including higher enrolment
levels and new tuition increases.
Tuition
In 2001, the University's Board of Governors announced a change in policy
from low-tuition to rates consistent with the national norm of
medical/doctoral universities. The policy was to be implemented over two
years, with an across the board 15% increase in all programs during year
one. Year two will see differential increases, with 41% of students facing
tuition rises of 5% or less.
Other programs, those with tuition considerably lower than the national
norm, will have larger increases in 2002/03, while fees for the Physical
Therapy program will be decreased.
College 02/03 Tuition % Increase # of Students
1. Medicine 9,205 18.6% 221
2. Law 5,681 27.6% 307
3. Pharmacy 5,495 4.4% 301
4. Veterinary Medicine 5,275 0.0% 285
5. Engineering 4,924 1.3% 1341
6. Physical Therapy 4,544 (16.6)% 90
7. Nutrition 4,532 0.8% 94
8. Commerce 4,502 12.2% 1621
9. Nursing 4,440 9.1% 260
10.Agriculture 4,334 4.4% 646
11.Education 4,316 4.0% 659
12.Science 4,271 4.9% 2145 (approx.)
13.Kinesiology 4,244 7.4% 458
14.Arts 4,218 7.2% 5005 (approx.)
