Link to PDF of original memo issued
To: Faculty and staff
From: James Rush, Vice-President Academic & Provost
Date: Friday, January 18, 2019
Subject: Tuition fee changes and University budget planning
Note: This email is for information and action
Colleagues,
In December I wrote to campus with new direction on expense management in some key areas for the remainder of this fiscal year. I am grateful for your careful efforts so far to examine the ways in which we use our operational funding responsibly and efficiently.
Yesterday, the Government of Ontario announced that it will reduce the cost of domestic tuition for university students by 10 per cent for the 2019/2020 fiscal year and will freeze domestic tuition for 2020/2021. The announcement includes changes to OSAP and some ancillary fees.
It is too early to predict the total impact of the government’s announcement, but it is clear that this represents a significant reduction in our operating income in the coming years.
We have planned for a period of uncertainty and we will take time to assess and consult on the actions we need to take in the short, medium and longer term so we can continue to deliver on our mission at the highest quality standards possible under the circumstances we face.
In the meantime, I reiterate the prudence of restraint where possible in University spending throughout the remainder of the current budget year. Savings from the current year will help us all to buffer the reality of reduced revenues in the next fiscal year.
Our work to build the 2019/2020 budget will continue with the new reality of reduced tuition in mind. We expect to receive further updates and clarifications from the government in the coming weeks and I will provide, through regular channels, more specific direction on restrained spending and other updates for 2019/2020 as part of the budget planning process.
The excellence and resilience of this Institution is a reflection of the faculty and staff dedicated to our shared mission. Thank you for your valued contributions to our University.