March 28, 2013 - 10:47am
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, March 28, 2013
NORTH COWICHAN, BC – Supporting academic excellence, providing an ideal student experience, investing in people and building for the future are all priorities identified in Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) 2013/14 budget, approved today by the Board of Governors at a meeting held at VIU’s Cowichan campus.
This balanced budget of approximately $131 million includes modest increases to staff salaries, increments and benefits, along with investments in staff for cost recovery programs and contract activity. To meet revenue targets, the University plans to recruit and retain 500 more full-time equivalent (FTE) students for government-recognized programs; increase enrolment and retention in cost-recovery programs, such as continuing education; and attract more international students.
“In spite of continuing constraints on provincial funding and increasing operational costs, VIU is moving forward with implementing its Academic Plan by ensuring it can grow as a post-secondary institution committed to access and excellence, where its students can benefit from high-quality academic and vocational programs, exceptional faculty and ideal learning environments,” said Mike Brown, Chair of VIU’s Board of Governors
VIU is also investing in its people within its existing budget with no new government funding following the Province’s Cooperative Gains mandate. The University recently negotiated renewed collective agreements with its three bargaining units. Members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1858 ratified their agreement in December 2012, while members of the British Columbia Government and Services Employees’ Union (BCGEU) Local 702, and the Vancouver Island University Faculty Association (VIUFA) are currently in the ratification process. Further details will be made public once these processes are completed.
“Our University is only as good as the people who work here,” said Dr. Ralph Nilson, VIU’s President and Vice-Chancellor. “Through the collective efforts of VIU’s bargaining units and administration, we are making investments in our faculty and staff to ensure we can continue to attract and retain the best talent to our institution to benefit our students and the community as a whole.”
VIU is also actively working to secure funding from the provincial government to support key capital priorities such as a new science and health centre at the Nanaimo campus, new trades training facilities at Cowichan and Nanaimo, and modernizing the University’s IT infrastructure and information systems.
For more information, please see the attached [Budget at a Glance](http://www.viu.ca/docs/VIU-Budget-at-a-Glance.pdf).
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ABOUT VIU: Vancouver Island University is Canada’s west coast university. Known as a centre of excellence for teaching, learning and applied research, VIU offers a diverse range of certificate, diploma and undergraduate and master degree programs to more than 18,000 students on campuses in Nanaimo, Powell River and Cowichan, and at the Parksville-Qualicum Centre. For more information visit [www.viu.ca](http://www.viu.ca/)
MEDIA CONTACT
Dan Hurley, Executive Director, University Relations
Vancouver Island University
P: 250.740.6150 C: 250.618.3911 E: dan.hurley@viu.ca T: @VIUnews
Tags: In the Community
