Ontario universities commend government for its decision to provide full average cost funding for enrolment growth, thus making the accommodation of increasing numbers of university-bound students a budget priority.
Student numbers are continuing to climb with the result that actual and projected enrolments are exceeding those upon which the Budget 2001 multi-year commitment to full funding for the then-projected enrolment increases was made. The Budget states that “Based on revised enrolment projections, the government is increasing its operating grantcommitment. The Province will provide an additional $75 million, bringing last year’s multi-year commitment to $368 million in 2003-04. The government is committed to providing full average cost funding for enrolment growth for our colleges and universities.” The Budget also commits to “invite a new round of post-secondary SuperBuild proposals … to increase the number of student spaces in the areas where they are needed.”
Mordechai Rozanski, Chair of Council and President of the University of Guelph,welcomed the announcement. “We are very pleased that the government has provided sufficient funding to ensure that the well over 100,000 high school students graduating in 2002 and 2003, combined, will be accommodated in Ontario universities. We are confident that with this increased investment, Ontario universities will be able to provide these spaces to the larger numbers of motivated and qualified students seeking to attend Ontario’s universities,” said Dr. Rozanski.
Dr. Rozanski added that Ontario universities and government are committed to the principle that regardless of their program of studies, or when they entered high school,students’ chances of gaining admission to university will be the same. The goal is to ensure that high school graduates from both cohorts have a place in one of Ontario’s universities, and to ensure that students from both cohorts are treated in a fair and equitable manner.
The government has also made an additional commitment to assist students who have the academic qualifications but lack financial resources to pursue postsecondary education.The highly successful Student Opportunity Trust Fund will be increased to give 400,000 students the chance to reach their potential over the next decade.
Dr. Rozanski noted that Ontario universities also welcome the Budget’s commitment to research through a $250 million expansion over five years to the Research and Development Challenge Fund, the $300 million enhancement to the Ontario Innovation Trust and the $2 million per year increase in the Ontario Research Performance Fund. Ian Clark, President of Council, commended Dianne Cunningham, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, who with her officials have worked with the universities forthree years to plan for this dramatic growth. “We look forward to continuing this productive relationship as we work through our multi-year agenda to ensure that students have access to excellence,” said Dr. Clark.
Statistics Canada consistently reports that university graduates enjoy the highest employment rates and average personal incomes of graduates from all postsecondary education sectors. A recent report by Enterprise Canada Research found that Ontario universities contributed $3.2 billion in taxes and other revenue, and stimulated over $10 billion in economic activity. They also attract key investment capital to Ontario through their R&D initiatives.
For further information:
Arnice Cadieux
Executive Director, Public Affairs
(416) 979-2165 ext. 224
Dr. Mordechai Rozanski
Chair, Council of Ontario Universities
(519) 824-4120 ext. 2200
