Media

OTTAWA, May 31, 2010  —  On Monday evening, the University of Ottawa tabled a balanced and responsible $900 million budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. The budget reflects the University’s commitment to the importance of the student experience and the success of the resource optimization exercise.

The 2010-2011 budget will be presented to the University community on Wednesday by President Allan Rock. The budget includes the bulk of the initiatives proposed by faculties and services in the context of the resource optimization exercise, but a few were rejected including: increasing administrative and accessory fees; eliminating most small classes; reducing teaching and research assistant positions; and reducing scholarships and financial aid.

“Our University continues to enjoy a strong financial position due to responsible fiscal management, in spite of the economic and financial crisis that has affected postsecondary institutions in Ontario and across Canada in the past few years,” declared uOttawa president Allan Rock. “Despite the challenges that lie ahead, the student experience remains our number one priority.”

The University of Ottawa will invest nearly $3.1M to increase library holdings, extend business hours and complete certain renovations. Close to $3.7M will be used to improve student information systems, while $5.4M will be invested in academic excellence and access to postsecondary studies for students in need. This investment in scholarships and financial aid is part of uOttawa’s commitment to minimizing the impact of tuition fee increases in 2010-2011. The increase of 4.3% is below the 5% recommended by the Government of Ontario.

Over the next few years, the University of Ottawa will continue to offer a rich student experience and promote research excellence while keeping finances healthy. Investments will be necessary to expand and modernize buildings and infrastructures on campus, as well as to follow up with initiatives that will stem from the new strategic plan, Vision 2020. Finally, the University will need to review the workings of its pension plan to ensure its continuity.

In May 2009, the University of Ottawa launched a campus-wide resource optimization exercise following a recommendation of the Board of Governors who had approved a deficit of nearly $24M for 2009-2010. Eleven internal multidisciplinary work groups were created to review management practices within the entire University and find ways to improve services, reduce costs and generate additional revenue. The University community — students, faculty, administrative staff, associations and unions — were invited to submit recommendations.