JUNE 20, 2014 – Laurentian University’s Board of Governors today approved a 2014-2015 operating budget of $141.2M, marking the fourth consecutive year the University has achieved a balanced budget. The Board’s unanimous approval followed a series of sixteen consultation sessions with more than 160 people from across the Laurentian community in Sudbury and Barrie.
“As we enter the third year of our Strategic Plan, we continue to make investments to shape the future of Laurentian University,” said Laurentian University President and Vice-Chancellor Dominic Giroux. “Despite increasing funding pressures, Laurentian has sustained investments to support the University’s aspirations. We thank those who took part in the consultation process for their contributions in helping us to achieve this goal.”
The new Faculty of Graduate Studies is part of an ambitious graduate expansion implementation plan requested by the University’s Board of Governors to meet regional needs, nearly doubling domestic graduate enrolment between 2011 and 2018. This will include an increase in Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA). Fall 2014 master’s program applications have increased by 71%.
Upcoming faculty appointments will include new research chairs in Cancer, Occupational Health and Safety, Sustainable Northern Development, Indigenous Relations and Governance, and Histoire franco-ontarienne.
Other budget highlights include:
- Budget increase of $4.3M or 3.1% over 2013;
- $41.9M to support strategic plan outcomes from 2012-2020;
- School of Architecture Phase II on track, on budget;
- $44.6M to modernize the Sudbury campus including a University Club, an Executive Learning Centre and an Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre (partially supported by donations from Glencore and RBC);
- $25M commitment, up from $14M, to open a new satellite campus in Barrie;
- Great Hall on Sudbury campus under renovation and scheduled to re-open in September 2014 as Fresh Food Company;
- Completion of the rehabilitation of the Single Student Residence on the Sudbury campus;
- $3.3M in additional investments to support research through 2020;
- Stable faculty and staff complement;
- New Faculty of Health, new Faculty of Education, new Faculty of Graduate Studies, new School of Environment;
- New master’s programs in Indigenous Relations and Sciences infirmières;
- $536K increase to support growth in the award-winning Bharti School of Engineering.
“Our focus has always been to deliver an outstanding student experience,” said Carol McAulay, Vice President, Administration at Laurentian. “This budget backs that commitment and keeps us on track to deliver the 40 outcomes outlined in our Strategic Plan.”
2013-14 Accomplishments include:
- School of Architecture welcomed first class of 68 students in September 2013;
- Centre for Academic Excellence well-established and supporting both pedagogy and student success;
- One-stop student service model developed and implemented. Centralized physical space will be reflected in Campus modernization capital plan;
- New food service outlets introduced (East Bistro, Starbucks, Subway);
- Re-introduction of men’s varsity hockey and introduction of women’s;
- New website launched: www.laurentian.ca ;
- Faculty of Management on its way to secure two prestigious international accreditations;
- Average entry grade reached 81%;
- Sudbury Campus is 100% wireless;
- Certificate of Bilingualism awarded growing number of students;
- Nine new Indigenous faculty members;
- 1% of payroll allocated to departments for staff training.