U of S Board Approves 2006-07 Operating Budget

Posted May 05, 2006


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 5th, 2006 2006-05-08-OTHER

U of S Board Approves 2006-07 Operating Budget

The University of Saskatchewan's Board of Governors today approved a
balanced operating budget for 2006-07 which includes the elimination of the
multi-million dollar structural deficit identified in 2004 and no tuition
increase for the vast majority of students.

The budget concludes a three-year plan that began with the adoption of an
academic framework and a multi-year budget that focused on careful planning
and cost projections and strategic reductions to expenses.

The budget includes an overall 4.7 per cent increase in operating revenue
covering basic financial obligations such as salaries and utility costs.
This 4.7 per cent increase results from a 7 per cent increase in the
provincial government's operating grant and no increase in tuition rates.
The province's decision to fund a rate increase enables the University to
maintain tuition at 2004-05 levels. The University's total operating budget
is $301 million.

The budget continues a series of permanent selective measures that were
begun in 2004-05 to address a $6.2 million structural deficit. These
measures, which this year amount to $2.4 million, are directed at the
Colleges of Pharmacy and Nutrition, Agriculture and Commerce as well as the
Extension and Facilities Management Divisions.

The Board also approved a $0.5 million increase to the Academic Priorities
Fund. In 2006-07, the University plans to invest $1.25 million from that
fund in institutional priorities, of which $0.5 million will be directed to
graduate scholarships.

"This year's budget is a satisfying conclusion to a three-year plan which
provided us with a more responsible way of allocating funds from our
operating budget," said University President Peter MacKinnon. "It allowed
the University to make informed decisions about the management of resources
over the longer term in order to better serve our students and the people of
this province."

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For more information, please contact:

Richard Florizone, Vice-President (Finance and Resources)
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6636

Tina Merrifield
Office of Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2213


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