Survey shows public supports increased public investment in the University of Saskatchewan

Posted March 10, 2004


* Visit the survey website at www.usask.ca/communications/survey2004/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 10, 2004				2004-03-17-OTHER

Survey shows public supports increased public investment in the 
University of Saskatchewan

A just-completed survey commissioned by the University of Saskatchewan 
indicates that Saskatchewan residents support increased government funding 
for universities and are prepared for a discussion about competing public 
priorities.

The Fast Consulting survey indicates that almost two-thirds of Saskatchewan 
residents believe the Province should invest more than it currently does in 
support of university education even if this means investing less in other 
areas.

When asked specifically about increasing university funding, even at the 
expense of health care, only 16% of respondents felt strongly that health 
care funding is a greater priority.

In recent public appearances, University of Saskatchewan president Peter 
MacKinnon has expressed concern about the trends in post-secondary education 
funding.

"I have suggested that our system of university education, if the trend 
continues, will be transformed from a public good to a private good," said 
MacKinnon. "What is most disturbing about this trend is that it is happening 
in the absence of any public policy debate."

In Saskatchewan, the provincial government now provides 60 per cent of the 
university's operating costs - down from 78 per cent in the early 1980s. 
This trend has been similar across Canada.

"It may be an unpopular question but I believe it must be asked:  are we 
willing to continue funding the entire health care system from the public 
purse at any cost, including the cost to our society of neglecting higher 
education?" said MacKinnon. "Or is it time to take a more objective, 
strategic look at what it is we, as a society, are trying to accomplish? "

The survey results demonstrate that Saskatchewan people recognize public 
spending in universities is an investment in the Province's future.

"I would go a step further and say that public funding for universities is 
the one investment guaranteed to provide a meaningful return in terms of 
economic opportunity and wealth generation," added MacKinnon. 

The survey also showed that people generally believe the University of 
Saskatchewan is well managed and that the University is doing a good job in 
terms of listening to the concerns of residents of Saskatchewan.

The survey sample included 1000 residents of Saskatchewan, with 
proportionate representation from all areas of the province. The survey 
sample size yields public opinion measurements with a statistical confidence 
of 95 per cent, within an overall margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 
percentage points. 

Survey highlights:

- 96% of residents think the university is important to the province's 
ability to grow and diversify.

- 63% believe that it's time for the Provincial Government to invest more 
than it currently does in Saskatchewan's universities, even if this means 
investing less in other areas.

- 16% believe that increased funding in health care is a greater priority 
than increased funding for universities.

- 74% believe that government investing more in research would bring 
long-term benefits to the province.

- 80% still believe that the cost of university education is a good 
long-term investment for today's young people.

- 65% believe the University should be doing more to raise funds from the 
private sector.

- 90% of residents believe the University has a positive public image among 
Saskatchewan residents.

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For more information, please contact:

Sandra Lodoen
Director of Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6614
Sandra.lodoen@usask.ca
	
Visit the survey website at www.usask.ca/communications/survey2004/.