UPDATE: Notes from the Senate

On February 26 before the Meeting of the Senate, Principle Tom Williams presented his “Principal’s February Financial Report to the Community.” He provided an outline of the finances at Queen’s and how we relate to other universities across the continent. Considering the financial environment in the world as well as the constantly increasing tuition fees, this address provided many answers and a good picture of these issues from the point of view of the administration.

It is understood that Queen’s does not have enough money to run and is under strain of debt and unfinished construction work. When the budget from the Federal government was announced a significant portion was allotted for universities’ infrastructure costs. Queen’s is awaiting information about how much money will be available and what restrictions will be placed on it, though it is clear this money is for infrastructure – which presents a problem. Queen’s budget is divided up into infrastructure and operating costs. Queen’s operating costs are deficient and so the federal money received for infrastructure will not accommodate these difficulties. The only choice the administration faces is balancing the operating budget.

The operating budget receives its income from donations and endowments, but both of these sources have dropped significantly as a result of the recession. The administration is therefore looking to reduce costs, appointing a task force to do so. Preliminary recommendations have already been made, some of which will be enforced as early as this July. They are recommending an increase in enrollment, more income generating over the summer, consolidating some degrees and other “creative thinking”. They are even engaging in “self-reflection”!

In addition, the university has enacted a three year plan in which they will be reducing spending by 15%. This is hitting departments the hardest, who are trying to limit their operating costs and are not filling vacant positions. This will likely negatively impact working conditions which will not go unnoticed by the administration.

The other option that would not decrease working conditions would be to decrease salaries. Other universities across the continent are looking at salary freezes as a solution to their income woes, but Principle Williams has emphasized that any salary modifications would only be negotiated through the appropriate channels and all contracts signed in good faith would be honoured.

The operating budget showed no other option with 9% being spent on Student Assistance, 21% on Departmental Budget (which has already been significantly cut) and 70% on Salaries and Benefits. Principle Williams closed comments by formally inviting the various unions to work with him towards their common goals.

If you have any further questions, please visit the Principal’s website (http://www.queensu.ca/principal/news.html) where you can access his presentation as well as ask any questions that have not been answered.

Liz Baird - MSc (OT) Candidate (2009), Secretary/Senator Rehab Society (2008/09)