The Laurentian University Board of Governors unanimously approved today the University’s 2017-2018 operating budget of $155.9 million, an increase of $5.4 million or 3.6% over last year.
The Sudbury campus will have 28 more full-time faculty in 14 departments: 11 new positions and 17 colleagues transferring from Barrie. This includes three new research chairs in Metallogeny, Exploration Targeting and Sustainable Northern Economic Development. New masters’ programs are introduced in Architecture and in Science Communication, along with new criminology and expanded bilingual engineering programs. The 60,000 sq ft Cliff Fielding Research, Innovation and Engineering Building will open in 2018, as will a new Student Centre in 2019.
New investments include a boost of 21% towards Information Technology, 22% more in Research and a 16% increase in Graduate Studies. The Schools of Nursing, Social Work, Indigenous Relations and the McEwen School of Architecture will see double digit percentage increases to their budgets. The University will also increase spending in deferred maintenance, student mental health, library acquisitions and supports for international students.
“We’ve had some tough conversations this year, not only because of budget pressures, but also due to the changing conditions of academic programs and the idea of designing an organization that meets the current and future needs of our students,” said Vice-President, Administration Carol McAulay. “We thank everyone who took part in consultation sessions and are grateful for their contributions which has led to a balanced budget for the seventh consecutive year. It was apparent throughout the process that we are all invested in the long-term sustainability of our university.”
Laurentian is developing its new 2018-2023 Strategic Plan which will inform future budget decisions. The University’s 2012-2017 Strategic Plan is wrapping up and has led to impressive outcomes: more than $200 million in capital investments including significant campus modernization, the McEwen School of Architecture, a new student residence, a new Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre, an Executive Learning Centre, a University Club, a Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research Lab and improved food services. The University has seen the creation of the Centre for Academic Excellence and of the Goodman School of Mines, the addition of Varsity Hockey and much more.
“Laurentian has achieved remarkable momentum and success in recent years,” said Dominic Giroux, President and Vice-Chancellor. “For a sixth consecutive year, we have the highest post-graduation employment rates among Ontario universities. Laurentian students are winning global competitions and our graduates have the second highest average earnings among Ontario universities. The Harquail School of Earth Sciences launched the $104 million Metal Earth project under the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, the largest research investment in Laurentian’s history. National Tri-Council research funding has doubled since 2009, as did the number of Indigenous faculty. Laurentian now ranks among Canada’s Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities on Maclean’s rankings. Our average entry grade has risen from 79% to 82.4% since 2009, and the number of students entering Laurentian with an average of more than 85% has nearly doubled. I can’t wait to see the next set of impressive outcomes that the university community will aspire to in its 2018-2023 Strategic Plan,” added Giroux.
“These are exciting times at Laurentian. This year's balanced budget puts us in a position to build on that successful track-record as we finalize our 2018-2023 Strategic Plan," said Jennifer Witty, Chair of the Board of Governors at Laurentian University.
Budget highlights:
- Revenues and expenditures up $5.4 million or 3.6% compared with the approved 2016-2017 budget
- 28 more full-time faculty on the Sudbury campus
- $870,000 or 21% more in Information Technology
- $725,000 or 13% more in the School of Nursing
- $586,000 or 22% more in Research, including $261,000 for the new Cliff Fielding Research, Innovation and Engineering Building
- $484,000 or 16% more in Graduate Studies
- $468,000 or 12% more in the Schools of Social Work and Indigenous Relations
- $374,000 more to support students relocating from Barrie
- $325,000 or 29% more in Deferred Maintenance to honour Board policy
- $287,000 more in the McEwen School of Architecture
- $230,000 more in Security
- $190,000 more in the Office of Equity, Diversity and Human Rights
- $180,000 for student retention strategy
- $167,000 more for mental health
- $150,000 in the next two years to ensure the successful validation and launch of 2018-23 Strategic Plan
- 25% of incremental international revenues to be re-invested in international student recruitment and support
- Ongoing investment of 1% of payroll for professional development
- Ongoing investment of 1.5% of operating revenues for deferred maintenance
About Laurentian University
Laurentian University offers an outstanding university experience in English and French, with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education. Laurentian University, situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinabe peoples of Atikameksheng First Nation, prepares students as agents of change and empowers them to create innovative responses to local and global challenges. Laurentian’s students benefit from small class sizes and exceptional post-graduation employment rates. With nine Canada Research Chairs and nineteen research centres, Laurentian is a recognized leader in its specialized areas of research strength, which include mining innovation and exploration, stressed watershed systems, particle astrophysics and rural and northern children’s health.
MEDIA CONTACTS
For further information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Joanne Musico
Director, Communications
Tel: 705-675-1151 ext. 3445 or 1.800.263.4188 ext.3445
jmusico@laurentian.ca