This post is part four of many in my series as I point out some facts and figures from a special financial review that shed light on real problems affecting UNBSJ as well as UNB as a whole. I will compile a few relevant quotations from the financial review, and offer a brief summary to bring it all together.

“UNB must also consider the provincial funding formula in relation to its two campuses. UNB applies the government formula when allocating the provincial grant between the two campuses. Since 75 per cent of the formula is fixed, there has been little change to the level of funding at either campus, despite how each campus has evolved in the last 15 years. The remaining 25 per cent of government funding is variable depending upon enrolment.” (page 13)

“This formula, however, does not provide funding for international students. It also allocates different funding amounts for students based on their study program and their status as an undergraduate versus a graduate student. For example, a university receives funding of approximately $1,089 for an undergraduate student in an arts program versus $8,715 for a graduate student in an engineering program. These parameters result in the Saint John campus receiving less government funding due to the make up of its student body – with its high levels of both undergraduate and international students – rather than as a result of supporting strategic priorities or initiatives between the two campuses. The following charts indicate the impact this has on the operating revenues of each campus.” (page 13)

The red portion of the charts reflects the government’s funding received and then allocated by UNB to each campus. Keeping the majority of this funding formula fixed as UNBSJ has evolved is the ultimate growing pain. One result of this is that UNBSJ students carry a larger burden of supporting their campus’s operating revenue through tuition than their counterparts at UNBF. Is this fair? I think not.

This is one example of a funding issue affecting us where UNB itself is primarily responsible. In my next post, I will take a look at how the provincial government’s funding of post secondary education may be lacking as compared to other provinces.

This post is part three of many in my series as I point out some facts and figures from a special financial review that shed light on real problems affecting UNBSJ as well as UNB as a whole. I will compile a few relevant quotations from the financial review, and offer a brief summary to bring it all together.

“Universities mean more to their communities, their provinces and their region than just about any other single industry.” -”Smarter Together: The Economic Impact of Universities in the Atlantic Provinces” (page 40)

“The report, The Economic Impact of Universities in the Atlantic Provinces (February 2006), issued by the Atlantic Association of Universities (AAU), reinforces the perspective that universities are a powerful strategic partner for governments, economic development agencies, regional advocacy organizations and communities to advance and grow the knowledge economy.” (page 40)

“Students also contribute significantly to the local economy while attending university and continue to do so beyond graduation providing innovation, growth and immigration. The university provides meaningful R&D for the private sector, funded primarily by the federal government’s national granting councils, which fuels innovation and growth in economic and social sectors.” (page 40)

I will admit that before this debate started, I never totally understood the importance of UNBSJ to Saint John and the province. I had little idea how it all worked, and was even cynical about it before. But now that I do understand things a bit better, I can’t begin to comprehend why eliminating or diminishing a university has been on the table. If you need reasons why UNBSJ is actually important, take a look at any newspaper from the past month.

It’s clear that UNBSJ is critical for Saint John’s growth potential, so what is holding it back right now? In my next analysis post, I will take a brief look at how the current formula places the port city campus at a disadvantage within the UNB family compared to its Fredericton counterpart.

This post is part two of many in my series as I point out some facts and figures from a special financial review that shed light on real problems affecting UNBSJ as well as UNB as a whole. I will compile a few relevant quotations from the financial review, and offer a brief summary to bring it all together.

“As with most universities, UNB’s student enrollments have increased over the past decade.” (page 10)

“Statistics Canada figures show that the number of international students enrolling at Canadian universities grew to 70,000, an increase of 16.8 per cent between 2002-03 and 2003-04. UNB has also experienced growth in this area, particularly on the Saint John campus, as that campus attempted to offset declining local enrollments by increasing its international student cohort. International students still make up 21 per cent of UNBSJ’s student population, although the numbers have declined somewhat due to increased competition. This is 13 per cent higher than the national average of seven per cent. International students comprise nine per cent of UNBF’s student body.” (page 10)

New Brunswick is one of only three provinces where population will likely experience zero growth or decline over the next 25 years, while Canada’s population is estimated to grow between 12 per cent and 30 per cent during that time.” (page 10)

It’s no surprise that our province’s population is not expected to have any growth over the next 25 years, so continued growth of our universities depends on finding sources of students from outside the province. While both UNB campuses maintain an international student base above the national average, the pie charts clearly show that Saint John comprises a much higher ratio. It is very important for New Brunswick to strengthen infrastructure at UNBSJ to encourage more international students to enroll, as this campus has already distinguished itself in this effort. Let’s make a great thing better!

We all know that universities are important to communities. In my next post, I’ll provide some reinforcement for this notion as taken from the financial review.

This post is one part of many in my series as I point out some facts and figures from a special financial review that shed light on real problems affecting UNBSJ as well as UNB as a whole. I will compile a few relevant quotations from the financial review, and offer a brief summary to bring it all together.

“As with most universities, UNB’s student enrolments have increased over the past decade. According to Statistics Canada, national student enrolment increases were due to three main factors. The demand for a university education increased as a result of the restructuring of the Canadian economy over the past 25 years. Students responded by enrolling at universities in order to fulfill the labor market stipulations for entry-level jobs, many of which now require higher post-secondary qualifications. Finally, Ontario’s double cohort, commencing in fall 2003, contributed to an influx of grades 12 and grade 13 students, who graduated simultaneously. This double cohort will be completed in fall 2007 enrolment, with graduation in May 2008.” (page 10)

“[Between 2001-02 and 2004-05, UNB experienced] significant increase in student enrolment, which rose from 9,947 full-time equivalent students to 11,106. This enrolment growth was the result of new student recruitment approaches and techniques, the impact of the double cohort of Ontario students and successful international student recruitment, mainly affecting the Saint John campus. These positive results have diminished significantly as overall enrolment levels stabilized and have started to decrease marginally.” (page 20)

The decrease in enrollment observed this year is not surprising to the universities, especially given the factors above and decreasing numbers of high school graduates.

The graph clearly shows an overall trend in the upwards direction, and one must expect this to level off eventually. This is precisely what is happening now, and a few other factors may cause other marginal drops. Despite this, there is no evidence of a critical mass shifting away from university education.

In my next post, I will look at why UNBSJ is best positioned at playing a vital role in offsetting these declines in enrolment.