Collaboration in times of current budget challenges
At Waterloo, we pride ourselves on identifying and solving big, complex challenges facing humanity and our planet. This commitment requires us to be unconventional in our approach, and to work with co-ordination and collaboration across our institution – not only in our research and teaching, but in our fiscal planning.
Despite decades of pragmatic and careful financial management, external pressures on the entire post-secondary sector mean Waterloo is facing significant financial challenges now and in the years ahead. With fewer international students enrolling, a freeze on domestic tuition, restricted government funding, and inflationary pressures, we need to keep finding ways to reduce spending to balance the budget.
Balancing our budget will take all of us. We need to find ways to co-ordinate, collaborate, and co-create to build an empowered organizational culture with an emphasis on accountability, nimbleness, and impact.
For the 2024/2025 year, the University faces a $75 million operating budget deficit. Our approach to balancing the budget includes a broad spectrum of specific measures to approach constraints responsibly. This plan ensures that we continue to support the University’s academic and research mission, and other key priorities, while under ongoing budgetary pressures.
Steps taken so far
Reducing ongoing spending
This year, we are managing the deficit by reducing ongoing spending by $42 million centrally, and in our faculties and academic support units. The remainder of the deficit is being covered in-year using one-time contributions from central funds and from faculties and academic support units.
Voluntary Retirement Program
More than 70 people joined our Voluntary Retirement Program for employees over 65 with at least 10 years of service.
Limited hiring program
Our limited hiring program is ongoing, which requires careful consideration and review of new and replacement job requests.
Upcoming budget planning
Achieving financial sustainability will require difficult decisions in the months and years ahead. Across-the-board budgets cuts are not an effective way to achieve savings; we must be strategic in how we optimize our ability to deliver on our key operational missions.
Your feedback is important
We are committed to keeping you and the organizations that represent you informed and engaged throughout the budgetary process. If you have feedback and ideas that you would like to share, please email budget@uwaterloo.ca.
Thank you in advance for your commitment to the University, and for thinking differently, acting with purpose, and working together as we navigate these operating budget challenges.