The final report of Bob Rae’s Postsecondary Review has been splashed all over the media following its release yesterday. Overlooked in the ensuing media buzz, including Trent President Bonnie Patterson's "Press Release", is Rae’s recommendation that “Freedom of information legislation should be extended in its application to all institutions.” (Predictably, the phenomena of not acknowledging and/or ignoring this recommendation is wide spread among Ontario universities who have long resisted becoming transparent and accountable under legislation.)

It is laudable that Rae recommends additional public investment in postsecondary education. However, universities are currently exempt from Ontario’s Freedom of Information legislation (FOIPPA) and therefore are neither accountable to the public, nor subject to public scrutiny, in spite of receiving more than $2 billion annually from the public purse. Reporters have examined the universities' exemption in the past and it is odd that they have managed to miss Rae's recommendation that universities be subject to FOIPPA. Perhaps this is because it is only mentioned once in the report?

With additional funding on the horizon, now more than ever, the public has a right to demand transparency and accountability from universities. The public has a right to demand and be assured universities are managed responsibly and that new funding does not, as Rae warns, “disappear into the administrative function of institutions.” Without the ability for the public to hold universities accountable, how will we know that future tuition increases really are justified?

Premier McGuinty must now act swiftly to assure universities become subject to Freedom of Information legislation.

(A letter to the Editor similar to the above was published in the Peterborough Examiner on February 11, 2005.)

Here is Trent's Press Release:

Trent President Welcomes Rae Review Recommendations

Monday, February 7, 2005

The recommendations contained in the Rae Review of Postsecondary Education represent the most substantial changes to the university system in the last decade says Bonnie Patterson, Trent University’s President and Vice-Chancellor.

“Mr. Rae and his panel are to be congratulated for completing such a thorough review of the many pressing issues facing Ontario’s universities,” said President Patterson. “He has mapped a course of action that, if implemented, can raise Ontario’s national ranking from last place for funding university education.”

The report’s recommendations include:

- New legislation to provide a place in a college or university for every qualified student
- $300 million for student assistance including up-front grants for 95,000 low-income students
- More access to loans and new loans for parents to contribute to their children’s education
- A request to the federal government to focus its student assistance program on living costs
- A coordinated system with the federal government to allow students to repay their loans at rates tied more directly to their income
- More cooperation and collaboration between colleges and universities
- A responsible funding partnership to ensure sustainable revenues

Mr. Rae recommends substantial new investments of $1.3 billion:

- $700-million for quality improvements
- $180-million for graduate education
- $160-million to expand participation – new enrollment

The report also recommends the creation of an independent body. “We welcome the proposed Council of Higher Education that will assist universities to set targets for enrollment and quality improvements,” said President Patterson.

The report calls for additional $540-milion in annual provincial funding by 2007-08 for capital items including $200-million for Facility Renewal, $300-million for New Facilities and $40-million for Equipment.

In his report, Mr. Rae emphasizes that tuition should not increase at all until the student assistance system is reformed and government has made significant new investments. With the new regulatory frameworks proposed, institutions would be responsible for setting tuition rates and would be responsible for supporting low-income students and students in need to cover fees in excess of $6,000 per year.

“It is imperative that the government incorporate these recommendations into its upcoming spring budget in order to address the critically important issues of quality and accessibility,” said President Patterson.

She adds, “Fixing financial aid for students, investing in capital and deferred maintenance, and making new investments in graduate studies and research are vital to the university sector and Ontario’s future prosperity.”

Posted February 7, 2005.