April 6, 2002 For Immediate Release

The Board of Governors for the University of Northern British Columbia has approved a balanced budget for the 2002-2003 fiscal year that can best be described as a "sharing the cost" budget. The document reveals that budget cuts and tuition increases are both necessary to sustain the operations of the University.

Budget Highlights

1. The total budget for 2002-2003 is $40,334,534. Almost 70% will be spent in teaching and providing academic services to students.

2. Tuition fees will rise on May 1st.
The tuition fees for most bachelor's degree programs will rise 22%, raising the tuition cost for a typical, full-time, undergraduate student from $2257 to $2754 per year.

The tuition fees for graduate students enrolled in master's or doctoral programs will rise an equivalent amount but with higher increases designated for professional programs.

The fee for international students is also rising. International students have been paying 2.25 times the tuition of Canadian students and their fees will rise to 2.75 times the domestic fee.

3. In order to keep tuition fee increases reasonable, the University is cutting $915,000 from its operating budget. Two staff positions have been eliminated, one vacant faculty position will remain unfilled, and some positions will be filled at a more junior level to realize cost savings. Operating budgets for equipment, professional development, and office supplies are also being reduced.

4. Targeted funding from the federal and provincial governments is allowing the University to enhance its operations in key areas:
New programs are starting this fall in Teacher Education, Disability Management, and Environmental Engineering. There will also be an expansion of student seats in Nursing, Social Work, and Computer Science. Planning will continue for the implementation of the Northern Medical Program.

Federal support of the indirect costs of research will provide funding to manage increased workload related to the expansion of university research activity.

"The budgeting process has forced the University to streamline its core operations while protecting - and even enhancing - services to students," says UNBC President Charles Jago. "The targeted funding we have received from the federal and provincial governments is allowing UNBC to continue its growth and momentum, adding new programs and expanding operations in key areas."