Ontario universities enthusiastically welcomed the higher education measures announced by the Ontario government today.
When added to the significant investments in Ontario universities over the past three years, Ontario university leaders are confident that the measures announced will provide the university system with the funds necessary to meet the challenges of the double cohort.
“The Ontario government is delivering the resources. Ontario’s universities can now deliver the places,” said Dr. Mordechai Rozanski, Chair of the Council of Ontario Universities and President of the University of Guelph. “Ontario’s universities will be able to continue the tradition, established over three decades, of providing a place for all qualified applicants.”
The 20,000 spaces for the new round of SuperBuild for colleges and universities will improve the quality of the physical facilities for the double cohort, just as the new Quality Assurance Fund will enable universities to hire more professors and staff and to acquire more learning resources. Together, the increased SuperBuild commitments and the Quality Assurance Fund will provide a substantial quality boost to university education in Ontario. Our new faculty and staff will not only help us respond to the double cohort, but will also enhance the research and innovation capacity of the province.
“This funding announcement means that Ontario students will have access to a higher quality learning experience throughout their four years of undergraduate studies at an Ontario university. With full growth funding and a substantial, multi-year quality fund commitment, our universities will be able to provide students with a better teaching and learning environment,” said Dr. Rozanski.
Quality improvement initiatives – such as improving faculty/student ratios; equipping classrooms, laboratories and libraries with up-to-date resources; and maintaining and modernizing physical facilities – are central to creating an environment that fosters students’ academic success. The provincial government’s investments will help students receive the quality of university education that they deserve.
Universities welcome the introduction of the Multi-Year Base Funding policy framework and look forward to working with the government on public reporting requirements. Today’s announcement elaborated on last year’s budget and Throne Speech commitment to assist students who have the academic qualifications but lack the financial resources to pursue postsecondary education. The government has committed $400 million to support phase 2 of the highly successful Ontario Student Opportunity Trust Fund. This is good news for students.
Today’s announcements culminate five years of preparatory work by the universities and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. “Getting universities to the position of enrolling the normal proportion of applicants from Ontario high schools in the double cohort year is a remarkable achievement,” said Dr. Ian Clark, President of Council. “Ultimately, it is all about students,” said Dr. Richard Van Loon, President of Carleton University and incoming Chair of Council. “These initiatives will bring us closer to our goal of giving Ontario students a university education that matches the quality provided by the best public universities on the continent.”
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
