UNews - Senior Administration

Updated President's message on 2013/14 Alberta budget

trevor.kenney — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:50:25 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President Dr. Mike Mahon discusses latest details

On March 7, 2013, the Alberta government released the 2013/2014 budget for the Province of Alberta. As indicated in my initial message, the Campus Alberta Operating Grant for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will be reduced by 7.3% in 2013/2014. Since that time, Senior Administration has had the opportunity to have additional conversations with the Ministry of Enterprise and Advanced Education and have learned the following additional details.

Campus Alberta Operating Grant – The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will receive a Campus Alberta Operating grant of $92,072,000 – a 7.3% decrease from last year. This reduction translates into reducing the operating budget by approximately $11.9 million in 2013/2014.

The 7.3% decrease is consistent with some, though not all; of the Campus Alberta Operating Grant reductions that other Alberta post-secondary institutions were assessed. The Comprehensive Academic and Research Institutions all received a cut in the range of 7.2%-7.3%.

In the 2012/13 Alberta budget, post-secondary institutions were informed by the government that there would be three years of stable funding with a 2% increase in the operating grant per year. While the economic climate suggested that the planned 2% was in jeopardy, there was no indication or warning from the Ministry of Enterprise and Advanced Education, or elected officials, that a cut of this significance was planned or forthcoming. Even with a 2% increase in the operating grant the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ would have been looking to decrease its overall budget expenditures by $2.6 million in order to produce a balanced budget.

Infrastructure Maintenance Program – Last year, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ had its Infrastructure Maintenance Program funding cut by 50% from $3,646,729 to $1,823,365. The 2013/14 Alberta Budget reduced this grant a further 2.3 % to $1,782,000.

These funds are restricted grants for use only in the maintenance and replacement of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ infrastructure. These funds cannot be used for operating expenses or to offset the operating budget deficit. Ongoing infrastructure renewal projects and projects slated to commence during the spring and summer of 2013 are enabled through this dedicated grant. More information on these planned projects as well as the source of funds for the projects will be released in a subsequent communication.

Campus Alberta Innovation Program (CAIP) Chairs – The Government of Alberta is maintaining its commitment to the CAIP Chair program. The U of L has hired two CAIP Chairs to date and will continue the process to fill the additional chairs. Also, the U of L will look to fill its allocated health-related chairs through a similar Alberta Innovates - Health Solutions Chairs program.

Letters of Expectation – There has been much media and public speculation about the introduction of letters of expectation ("Mandate Letters") directed to each institution in Alberta. Through our discussion with the Assistant Deputy Minister, we have been informed that our approved government mandate will not be changed. We have been told that the letter will include expectations pertaining to learner pathways, working with government, industry and system partners, fiscal responsibility, and research and entrepreneurship directions.

While the details of this letter are not yet fully understood, the Assistant Deputy Minister has assured us that the letter will be received in draft form and that we will be consulted before the letter is finalized. I will be attending a meeting on April 12 with the Ministry, along with the other Alberta post-secondary Presidents, to discuss our letters of expectation and to gain further details of the budget.

Other items in the provincial budget that will be of direct impact on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community are:

Student Aid - The Alberta budget outlines $211 million for the Student Aid programs in 2013‑14. This budget includes:

$71 million for merit‑based scholarship awards;

$59 million for bursaries and grants;

$42 million for student debt management programs; and

$11 million for Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan grants.

In addition, $425 million in student loans will be disbursed in 2013‑14.

Innovation and Economic Competitiveness - The budget is $204 million in 2013/14 for economic development, innovation and technology commercialization.

I will continue to provide regular updates to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community as more information becomes available regarding the Letters of Expectation, the impact of the provincial budget on our own operating budget and most importantly on the process we will follow to address these budget reductions. As well, I will schedule a series of open meetings to ensure that everyone at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has access to the information I have just shared with you. I have no doubt that utilizing the experience, intelligence and the breadth of talent of the people we have at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge we can find innovative solutions to this current challenge.

As a community, we cannot understate the significance of these reductions and the negative impact they may have on our students, faculty and staff. As one of the largest employers and contributors to the economies in Lethbridge and southern Alberta, these reductions will also be felt well beyond our campuses.
We also cannot understate the fact that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has faced significant challenges in the past and from those challenges we, along with those who have come before us, have built one of the top ranked universities in Canada recognized for the quality of its academic programs and research, and for the outstanding experience provided to our students.
Dr. Mike Mahon
President and Vice-Chancellor
The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge

Mahon addresses provincial budget

trevor.kenney — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 20:47:39 +0000

Message from President Mahon regarding Province's 2013/14 budget

On March 7, the Alberta government released the 2013/2014 budget for the Province of Alberta. As has been reported, this budget features a significant funding adjustment for the entire post-secondary sector and for our institution. Senior Administration has had an initial discussion with the Deputy Minister and were informed that the Campus Alberta Operating Grant for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will be reduced by 7.3 per cent in 2013/2014.

What this budget reduction means to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ will become clearer in the coming days as we learn more details from the Ministry of Enterprise and Advanced Education. While this obviously poses a challenge for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and perhaps represents a new reality for the post secondary sector in our province, we have been working through a variety of budget scenarios in recent weeks. As well, our record of prudent financial planning and management has served the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ well in the past and will continue to do so into the future. Most importantly, our ability to work through this difficult budget will be based on our collective efforts, and imagination. I will continue to communicate with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community as details become clearer on the budget and on the development of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ budget.

Provincial budget implications

trevor.kenney — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:55:56 +0000

PROVINCIAL BUDGET IMPACT ON THE UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE (U of L)

February 11, 2010

The Provincial budget was announced on February 9, 2010. Senior Administration at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ have begun having conversations with Advanced Education & Technology (AET) officials to determine the specific implications the Provincial budget will have on the operating budget of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.
AET has changed the format of their budgeting for 2010-2011.

1. CONTINUING FUNDING

The base operating grant of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ will be combined with all other operating funding, including newly established academic program funding.
The new operating funding, now called the Campus Alberta Grant, will be $94.6 million.
This is a 2.6% reduction from the funding for 2009-2010.

2. PROJECTED COST INCREASES

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ must submit a balanced budget to the Province, for approval by the Minister of AET. With the decrease in the operating grant and the projected increases in expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is projecting that there is a gap of $9 million in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's budget.

In addition to the 2.6% reduction and from Campus Alberta Grant the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ must also fund:

- Projected operating expenditure increases, including increases in fixed costs, salaries and benefits, net of tuition fee increases ($4.3 million)

- New facilities operating expenses ($1 million)

- Program funding for already newly established academic programs previously approved by the Minister of AET ($1.2 million)

-------------

Operating Grant & Enrolment Planning Envelopes 2009-2010: $97.1 million

Campus Alberta Grant 2010-2011: $94.6 million

Reduction: -$2.5 million , or 2.6 per cent

Projected Cost Increases

Projected operating expenditure increases -- $4.3 million

Facilities operating expenses -- $1.0 million

Newly established academic programs -- $1.2 million

TOTAL: $9 million

3. ONE-TIME FUNDING

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ will receive $1.7 million from AET in one-time restricted funding to assist with the reduction in operating funding.

Additional information will be distributed as it becomes available. Check https://www.uleth.ca/planning/ for continued updates.

Dr. Bill Cade, President & Vice-Chancellor

U of L works to educate new cabinet ministers

trevor.kenney — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:32:52 +0000

We are only a month into the new year, but there have already been some significant changes to both the provincial and federal political landscapes. These changes will pave the way for a renewed effort by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge to continue a dialogue with the government about our strengths and challenges.

Speaking provincially, two former-government MLAs crossed the floor and a cabinet shuffle occurred that included some interesting changes. The most notable changes included Edmonton-based MLA Gene Zwozdesky becoming minister of health, while Calgary MLA Ron Liepert moved to energy. Former Sustainable Resource Development Minister, Ted Morton, became minister of finance and enterprise. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ will spend time during the coming months educating all new ministers about the impact the U of L makes in their respective areas in terms of teaching and research.

Doug Horner remained minister of advanced education and technology, but was also named Deputy Premier. This certainly speaks to the influence Horner has at the cabinet table.

There were a few other changes that have the potential to change the political landscape for southern Alberta. Former Minister of Agriculture, George Groeneveld, was moved from cabinet (his riding is situated just south of Calgary) leaving minister Rob Renner of Medicine Hat the sole minister south of Calgary. Groeneveld visited our campus three or four times during his tenure as minister and always expressed a willingness to understand the positions of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

The U of L, as it has done in the past, will make efforts to build relationships with all relevant ministers through meetings and tours of campus.

While the Lethbridge-area is without a minister, the four government members that are geographically close to the U of L have been handed duties above that of a private member. Lethbridge-West MLA Greg Weadick, for example, has been named parliamentary assistant to the minister of advanced education and technology. The U of L will certainly count on Weadick to help advance ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ messaging to his colleagues in government.

Other local appointments include Cardston-Taber-Warner MLA Broyce Jacobs becoming the parliamentary assistant to the minister of agriculture and rural development, Livingstone-Macleod MLA Evan Berger remaining in his role as parliamentary assistant to the minister of sustainable resource development and Little-Bow MLA Barry McFarland being named as a member of the treasury board.

A small cabinet shuffle also occurred at the federal level this month, but the biggest news, as far as the U of L is concerned, is the announcement that Lethbridge MP Rick Casson will not seek another term in office. Casson, a former employee of the U of L, helped move along many files for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. He knocked on doors to advance initiatives and was never hesitant to pick up the phone to ask about how a government policy might impact our institution. His work on our behalf was impressive. He will be certainly missed on the federal scene and will leave big shoes to fill.

Building relationships with elected and non-elected government members is important in ensuring effective communication between the U of L and decision-makers in Edmonton and Ottawa. Senior administration at the U of L has already begun to engage and re-engage government members to ensure productive working relationships are forged.

Richard Westlund is the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's director of government relations

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ mobilizes to inform campus community

trevor.kenney — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:27:55 +0000

Be FLUless Not Clueless! Influenza A H1N1 is no joke!

This is the launch of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's awareness and preparedness plan to students and staff. Various departments across the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ have been working diligently, collaboratively and collectively over the last few months in response to the potential spread of H1N1. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's position is that it is better to be proactive than to wait for something to happen and subsequently be reactive.

Senior administration is in full support of the H1N1 plan and has invested in the acquisition of hand sanitizer units that are presently being installed in many of the common areas across campus. The health and well-being of students and staff is of paramount importance and hopefully with the provision of hand sanitizing stations, education and continual communication, this will assist in minimizing the impact of H1N1 should it resurface as anticipated during the fall and winter months.

You have probably noted some hand sanitizers on stands that have sprung up over campus recently. In addition to this, there are approximately 300 wall mount units that the Facilities department is working hard to install.

The Health Centre, Internal Audit, Wellness and Risk and Safety Services have jointly promoted the placement of desktop hand sanitizer pumps at many of the reception desks across campus. Students in residence and the resident assistants are receiving a complimentary hand pocket sanitizer to promote the message that "healthy hands" is one way to prevent the spread of infection. There will also be complimentary pocket size bottles available at new student orientation.

Education and awareness is hugely important in the H1N1 preparedness plan and Lori Weber, manager of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Health Centre, and Suzanne McIntosh, coordinator of Wellness, are busy with students and staff conducting H1N1 awareness and preparedness sessions. Risk and Safety Services is also assisting in this initiative in the student internship and practicum orientations. We are working as a team and getting the word out to all, including the deans, faculty, students and staff.

The H1N1 Communication plan will incorporate messaging through all available communication mediums such as UNews, the U of L home page, posters and pamphlets, digital signage, Notice Board announcements, Twitter and e-mail. Both Information Technology and Communications have been instrumental in the implementation of this plan and a dedicated website has been launched which can be viewed at the following link: http://www.uleth.ca/ross/health_centre/h1n1/. This site will be updated regularly.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's medical crisis committee will be meeting regularly to address our response to H1N1 to ensure continuity and consistency in our proactive approach to this pandemic situation that has the potential to adversely affect our community.

In addition to this, Anne Baxter of Risk and Safety Services is the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's representative for the post-secondary pandemic liaison group that Alberta Health Services (AHS), Alberta Health and Wellness and Advanced Education and Technology (co-chair) have established.

This committee's purpose is to assist institutions with pandemic planning and ensure that consistent communication, policies and procedures are developed across the publicly funded post-secondary system.

President Cade addresses economic climate

trevor.kenney — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:14:29 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President Dr. Bill Cade discusses the uncertain economic climate in relation to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community

Dr. Bill Cade

We are all aware that we are living in very uncertain economic times. There are daily stories about businesses scaling back budgets, laying off workers and even closing their doors. I want to assure you that our Board, Senior Administration and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Budget Committee are planning very cautiously for next year with the assumption that our provincial operating grant funding will increase by 6 per cent and our enrolments will remain stable.

The Department of Advanced Education and Technology has informed us that we should plan with this budget increase in mind until, and if, we are informed otherwise. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Budget Committee has also considered other funding scenarios and we are, of course, monitoring closely the Alberta provincial government budget and the anticipated funding announcements to post-secondary institutions. The 6 per cent increase depends on the provincial economy and how that translates into the overall Government of Alberta budget. We will learn more about this in the coming weeks and keep everyone informed.

The overall economy is something that we have little control over, but our ability to meet and maintain our enrolment is very much in our hands. We can ensure we have the right number of students in the right programs come September. I understand that applications are fewer in number from graduating high school students for post-secondary education at many institutions, including the U of L.

This is where we can actively influence the future of our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. It is important we focus on our recruitment practices and continue to enlighten high school graduates about all the opportunities the U of L provides. We must also concentrate on retaining the students we have and continue to provide them with the highest-quality education possible. This means that everybody, our entire staff and faculty, has the opportunity and responsibility to enhance the student experience even more so.

There are many factors that play into the enrolment scenario; among them is the growth of other degree opportunities within Alberta. As we all know, our students are our ambassadors, both within the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and beyond. They will decide individually whether to follow their degree path to its conclusion here, and they influence their peers about the U of L experience.

I believe we do a very good job of engaging our students already and I am confident in the quality of our faculty members and our program offerings, but there is always room for improvement. All of us have worked to better the U of L continually over our 42-year history. In my opinion this has resulted in the creation of one of the best comprehensive and student-oriented university environments. Recently released data from CUSC affirms that our students believe this too.

We have carved a unique identity here at the U of L and it is one that connects with its students as well as the southern Alberta community. The recently held Donor Recognition Gala showcased the new Alberta Water and Environmental Science Building. This event once again highlighted the valuable relationship that exists between the U of L and the community and allowed us to thank our donors for their commitment to supporting our students and faculty and furthering research.

We have so much to be proud of here at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and by always searching for innovative ways to engage our students and connect with the community, we will ensure the continued growth of the institution.

Please remember, "quality will prevail," especially during times of economic uncertainties.

We have a very high quality ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, but we must never rest on our laurels.

Again, please stay tuned and we will keep you informed of funding and enrolment issues as we receive the information.

This column originally appeared in the February 2009 issue of the Legend

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ steadfast in uncertain economic times

trevor.kenney — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 22:12:04 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President Dr. Bill Cade chats about what's happening in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community

We are all aware that we are living in very uncertain economic times. There are daily stories about businesses scaling back budgets, laying off workers and even closing their doors. I want to assure you that our Board, Senior Administration and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Budget Committee are planning very cautiously for next year with the assumption that our provincial operating grant funding will increase by 6 per cent and our enrolments will remain stable.

Please remember, "quality will prevail," especially during times of economic uncertainties.

We have a very high quality ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, but we must never rest on our laurels.
Again, please stay tuned and we will keep you informed of funding and enrolment issues as we receive the information.

UNews - Senior Administration

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