U of A pressing government for three-year funding cycle

The University of Alberta is urging the provincial government to revert back to a three-year funding projection for post-secondary institutions in light of recent budget concerns.

Up until the last two years, the university was set on a three-year funding cycle, according to U of A President Indira Samarasekera. Now, along with university administration, Samarasekera is pressing for a return to that funding cycle, which could help alleviate concerns and minimize the effects of an overly-tight budget.

“Even a few years ago, our funding was always on a three-year cycle, and every year (the provincial government) would announce the next three years so we could plan (accordingly),” Samarasekera told The Gateway. “The last two years, because of the financial situation and the global crisis, we have had a one-year budget.”

Samarasekera, who has been guiding the university through its recent budget cutbacks, has noted that after five years of six per cent budget increases, the last two years of zero per cent increases in the operating grant have still left the university ahead of where it was in the early 2000s.

“Obviously, we understand that things do change, so (the budget) is not something that we can expect to be completely hardwired,” Samarasekera said. “But at least some guidance on what it might look like will help.”

Samarasekera added that the university’s budget for the 2012-13 year still needs to be approved by the Board of Governors.

“I don’t know what the funding is going to be for 2012-13. (I won’t know) until next week, when the budget is announced,” Samarasekera said.

“That doesn’t leave a lot of time for planning. Hence, I think the government has said and understands that they want to give some stability to post-secondary.”

Since October 2011, university administration has been in intense talks with the government, according to an article penned by Samarasekera for the U of A’s online blog Colloquy.

The post also states that the University of Alberta has the highest funding per student in Canada, and that over the past two years of cuts, the university’s priority has been protecting the quality of the educational experience.

“Quiet advocacy does work,” Samarasekera wrote, adding that it’s important for the university to remain united. “Inflationary pressures, salary increases and other pressures mean that we’ve had to make budget re-allocations. But throughout it all, we have done our utmost to invest in what is most important in the delivery of our mission — our people.”

Although the provincial government hasn’t made any promises, Samarasekera wrote that the university has been clear about its needs for a four per cent increase to its operating grant, stability in funding, and a three-year planning cycle.

Samarasekera pointed out that Premier Alison Redford has said she will provide some stability to universities in her various speeches regarding post-secondary education.

“This is about creating a bit more of a stable environment for us to operate in,” Samarasekera said.

Samarasekera added that the University of Alberta has not yet received any feedback in relation to the proposed three-year funding cycle.

The Minister for Advanced Education and Technology was unavailable for comment as of press time.

The provincial budget is scheduled to be released on Feb. 9.

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