Trent needs funding fix: we agree!
Trent 
president Bonnie Patterson informs us that the quality of a Trent education will suffer if the province doesn’t "fix" university funding. University administrators do seem to have a fondness for casting blame everywhere but on themselves.
The record shows that under her administration Trent developed a number of financial problems, blame for which cannot be foisted upon government. As widely reported, the blight on the landscape known as Gzowski College is, by Trent's unaudited admission, $3.2-million over budget (we suspect the real figure is much larger) and additionally is subject to $9.2-million in contractors’ liens. Another $1.75-million shortfall resulted from budgetary reliance upon an overzealous estimate of student enrolment that failed to materialize. These are but a few examples of costly problems responsibility for which lies with internal management practices and management oversight by the board of governors, or lack of same as the case may be.
The public cannot know the extent of self-created financial difficulties at Trent or any Ontario university because they are exempt from Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation. Wisely, Bob Rae reported to government that FOI legislation should be extended in its application to all postsecondary institutions. The Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, Mary Anne Chambers, believes FOI should apply to universities (November 2004), as do other government and union officials.
We agree with Patterson that a fundamental change in government funding is needed, but it is not simply to hand universities more unaccountable money, as Patterson would have us believe.
A far more sensible "government fix" is that universities be made subject to FOI legislation and be forced in law to operate transparently and accountably BEFORE receiving additional funding.
That's how we can best assure the quality of a Trent education does not suffer.
If you agree that universities be made subject to FOI legislation, please take a moment to send your comments to the Chair, Management Board of Cabinet, the Honourable Gerry Phillips, the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, the Honourable Mary Anne Chambers and/or contact your local MPP.
| ‘Trent needs funding fix’ By Jack Marchen Peterborough Examiner - April 30, 2005 (page B1) (See May 10, 2005 Letter to Editor in response) Trent University's quality of education will suffer if the province doesn't fix university funding in its May budget, president Bonnie Patterson told university governors yesterday. Patterson said education quality should be fine during 2005-06, but that could change in future years if the province continues ignoring inflation in assessing funding. Trent finance director Trent Brownscombe listed savings and spending cuts that were required to eliminate a $5,657,000 deficit to balance the $69.492 million interim 2005-06 budget, which was approved by governors in a vote yesterday. Brownscombe estimated that if present government funding prac tides continue, Trent will deal with deficits of $5.1 million in 2006-07 and $8.2 million 2007-08. Patterson said Ontario universities get on average $1,000 less in government funding per student than Canadian universities outside Ontario. Patterson said compared to government funding for university students in the "We need a fundamental change in government funding," she said. 'We need a government fix." While the interim budget was approved in a vote by governors, Brownscombe said adjustments may be made for a final budget in June depending on government funding. Brownscombe said it's hoped the province will follow recommendations by the Rae Review on Post Secondary Education to increase funding to universities. He said a one-year fix would help, but wouldn't be enough. Instead, he said, Trent and other Ontario universities are hoping for a multi-year funding framework. Government funding for Trent students has ranged from $3,000 to $7,000 depending on programs. Actions taken to eliminate the deficit included spending freezes for the replacement of equipment, hiring for library and support staff positions and hiring faculty. Brownscombe said a faculty hiring freeze resulting from a decline in enrolment resulted in a $2.5 million saving, which was applied to the deficit. Separate from the 2005-06 deficit is a $5.7 million cumulative deficit, which was accumulated from past years. He said this amount will be rolled ahead as done in past years.
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