News Articles
SCUP Supports Delaying Preliminary MTCU Budget
At the Jan. 30 meeting of Senate, the Senate Committee on University Planning (SCUP) reported that it supported the president's recommendation to Board of Governors that the preliminary 2007/2008 Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) budget be delayed until June. SCUP chair Prof. John Livernois, Economics, said there's still uncertainty surrounding information both for 2006/2007 MTCU operating grants and for the upcoming budget year. (See Jan. 31 At Guelph article “Uncertainty Surrounds MTCU Budget Funding.”)
Student senators asked Summerlee if, based on what information is known, there's any chance U of G won't take the maximum tuition fee increase as allowed by the province. The president responded that, although much budget information is still unclear, given the current outlook, Guelph will probably need to implement a tuition increase close to the allowed maximum. He encouraged the students and other Senate members to continue with advocacy efforts aimed at pressing the government for more funding for higher education.
In other business, Senate approved a new stand-alone doctoral program in philosophy. U of G has been offering a PhD as part of a joint program with McMaster University and Wilfrid Laurier University for more than 34 years. Following numerous discussions with the department's graduate studies committee, faculty and students, it was determined that a stand-alone program would best serve the University's needs.
Summerlee also reported that the Chancellor Selection Committee will be presenting its report to the Senate Executive Committee (SEC) shortly, with a recommended nomination for chancellor. It's expected that SEC will present this nomination to Senate for balloting at the March 6 meeting.