U of S 2005/06 Operating Budget Approved

Posted May 06, 2005


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 6, 2005
2005-05-07-OTHER

U of S 2005/06 Operating Budget Approved

University of Saskatchewan President Peter MacKinnon announced today that
the U of S Board of Governors has approved the institution's operating
budget for 2005/06.

"The budget represents the second year of a multi-year plan to address our
deficit position and advance the University's direction consistent with our
strategic plan," said U of S President Peter MacKinnon.

As planned in the multi-year budget framework, the 2005/06 budget includes
$1.9 million in permanent budget adjustments that will take the form of
further efficiencies in a number of colleges and departments.

"We have phased in a total of $6.2 million of permanent budget adjustments
over three years to allow colleges and departments to properly plan,
implement and realize the required amounts and address our fiscal
realities," said MacKinnon.

At the same time, the University has set aside funds to support strategic
changes to the institution. From these funds, the budget has committed
$500,000 in ongoing funding to graduate scholarship support in 2005/06 with
an additional $500,000 to come in 2006/07.

The President pointed out that the 2005/06 budget does not contain an
increase in tuition levels due to the one-time Centennial Tuition Grant from
the provincial government.

"This one-time grant offers much appreciated support for most of our
students and covers the revenue projections the University would otherwise
have realized from the tuition increase set out in our three-year budget
plan," he said.

The President concluded by saying that by fulfilling its commitment to the
multi-year budget framework, the University of Saskatchewan will be in a
stable position to continue playing a key role in education and the economy
of this province.

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For further information, please contact:

Peter MacKinnon
President
University of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 966-6612

Ghislaine McLeod
University Communications Director
University of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 966-6614