Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
June 18, 2002
Provincial budget brings good news for universities
This week's provincial budget announcement brought good news for U of G and other Ontario universities, says president Mordechai Rozanski. The province announced it will provide full average-cost funding for enrolment growth and that it will renew and increase support for its major research funding programs and plan for a new SuperBuild.
"The University of Guelph is pleased that the provincial government has committed to full funding for additional students seeking access to our universities," says Rozanski. "This support is crucial as Ontario universities face the challenge of ensuring accessibility to qualified and motivated students. We are confident that both 'cohorts' of students seeking admission will be treated equitably."
He adds that a proposed new round of SuperBuild funding will help ensure that space is available for the growing numbers of students seeking to attend university. Equally as important, the province is enhancing its commitment to the Student Opportunity Trust Fund, which will give 400,000 students with limited financial resources a chance to reach their academic potential over the next decade.
Rozanski, who is chair of the Council of Ontario Universities (COU), also welcomes the government's commitment to expand funding by $250 million over five years for the Ontario Research and Development Challenge Fund and by $300 million for the Ontario Innovation Trust. "This support is critical for ensuring that Ontario universities continue to be centres of research excellence and innovation in this province."
Rozanski notes that although this budget "provides significant new investment in a number of important areas, the University of Guelph, along with its colleagues and COU, will continue to work with the government to advance our multi-year agenda, seeking funding support to address issues related to advancing quality."
For COU's response to the budget, visit the COU website.
