U of S Board Announces 2003-04 Operating Budget
Posted May 09, 2003
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 9, 2003 2003-05-13-OTHER
U of S Board Announces 2003-04 Operating Budget
The University of Saskatchewan's Board of Governors today approved an
operating budget that improves undergraduate scholarships and bursaries by
10 per cent, maintains a competitive tuition policy, and enhances the
student experience.
Increases in expenditure will be met by a 2.65 per cent ($3.98m) rise in the
University's operating grant from the provincial government and from an
average tuition increase of 4.8 per cent ($3.11m).
University President Peter MacKinnon said: "The University faced significant
challenges in balancing the budget this year and, as a result, we are forced
to require more from our students. Post-secondary institutions across Canada
are experiencing similar problems."
To offset tuition increases, the Board is once again taking steps to
increase scholarships and bursaries offered to students. A total of 10 per
cent ($0.3 million) of the tuition increase is being allocated to student
financial aid.
Funding enhancements begun in 2002-03 are continued this year. These funds
will go towards improving student access to computers and technology ($0.72
million), 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.
The budget allows for an increase of 5 per cent ($0.324m) for library
acquisitions and $0.26 million towards ongoing and start-up costs for the
new physical activity complex in the new kinesiology facility, which opens
this fall.
"We are determined to build on the University's strategic vision for a
nationally competitive university while improving areas of particular
student concern," concluded MacKinnon.
The total University's operating budget for 2003-04 is $257.2 million
compared to $246.9 million in 2002-03.
Highlights of the 2003-04 Operating Budget and background information are
included.
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For more information, please contact:
Peter MacKinnon
President
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6612
Tina Merrifield
Office of Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2213
2003/04 Budget Highlights
Tuition
Declining support from federal and provincial governments has continued
steadily over the past fifteen years forcing all post-secondary institutions
to require more from their students.
Following national norms, students will see an average increase in tuition
of 4.8 per cent ranging from 0 per cent for Veterinary Medicine to 10 per
cent for Law.
2003-04 National Norm tuition and student fees
Agriculture
2002-03 tuition and fees - 4,364
2003-04 tuition and fees - 4,584
Arts
2002-03 tuition and fees - 4,220
2003-04 tuition and fees - 4,476
Science
2002-03 tuition and fees - 4,307
2003-04 tuition and fees - 4,548
Commerce
2002-03 tuition and fees - 4,484
2003-04 tuition and fees - 4,872
Education
2002-03 tuition and fees - 4,292
2003-04 tuition and fees - 4,620
Engineering
2002-03 tuition and fees - 5,150
2003-04 tuition and fees - 5,364
Law
2002-03 tuition and fees - 5,672
2003-04 tuition and fees - 6,240
Medicine
2002-03 tuition and fees - 9,204
2003-04 tuition and fees - 9,894
Nursing
2002-03 tuition and fees - 4,445
2003-04 tuition and fees - 4,692
Physical Therapy
2002-03 tuition and fees - 4,543
2003-04 tuition and fees - 4,662
Pharmacy
2002-03 tuition and fees - 5,540
2003-04 tuition and fees - 5,874
Nutrition
2002-03 tuition and fees - 4,823
2003-04 tuition and fees - 4,962
Kinesiology
2002-03 tuition and fees - 4,268
2003-04 tuition and fees - 4,512
Veterinary Medicine
2002-03 tuition and fees - 6,645
2003-04 tuition and fees - 6,673
Student support
10 per cent of the national norm tuition increases are allocated to
incremental undergraduate scholarship/bursary support.
Provincial salary settlements
Based on provisions for salary settlements in keeping with the provincial
pattern (still ongoing), the estimated salary and benefits cost increase for
2003-04 is $8.919 million.
Provincial operating budget
The total increase in the University's operating grant for 2003-04 is $3.98
million plus an additional $0.250 million for Medicine and $0.053 million
for Nursing.
Library acquisitions
To help combat a 10 per cent annual inflation rate for library materials,
the budget allows for an increase of 5 per cent ($0.324m) for library
acquisitions.
Capital expenditure
The University received $14.4 million from the Provincial Government for its
2003-04 capital budget. These funds will be allocated as follows:
- $6.2m for renovations to College Building and the Research Annex;
- $5.0m for the Thorvaldson and Kinesiology projects;
- $1.3m for college and unit equipment and contingencies;
- $1.4m for to enhance computer and audio visual services;
- $0.5m for faculty start-up costs (i.e. to purchase equipment).
Utilities and new building space
An 8 per cent ($0.79 million) increase in utilities which allows for
increases in natural gas costs. In addition, we have allocated $1.76 million
for new building space (Kinesiology, Spinks addition and the VIDO
expansion).
