RDC continues budget planning amidst declining provincial grant revenue

“RDC is proud of the important role we play in our community. We provide our students with robust training that allows them to graduate and contribute their expertise to drive Alberta’s diverse economy as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and beyond,” he remarks.

Nunoda says RDC’s budget planning for 2021/2022 will continue in the coming weeks and months, noting that decisions will be shared with the College community and other stakeholders once they are made.

Elsewhere, officials with the Council of Post-Secondary Presidents of Alberta (COPPOA), indicate strong concern with the provincial budget.

“While the budget is a response to an on-going and significant economic downturn made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic, reductions in operating support for colleges, polytechnics and universities will create challenges in Alberta’s post-secondary sector,” reads a statement from the organization. “The budget included a 6.2 per cent reduction in operating support to Alberta’s post-secondary institutions. These reductions are on top of 10 per cent reductions to the sector over the past two years.”

Prior to the cuts introduced this year, COPPOA officials say the percentage of provincial operating support making up institutions’ overall budgets had already fallen below that of British Columbia.

“Alberta’s post-secondary institutions are positioned to work with the Province to support economic recovery, future growth in employment and economic diversification,” says Dr. Mike Mahon, Chair of COPPOA. “Predictable and sustainable funding is necessary to allow all institutions to make the impacts that are necessary for student success and for the collective communities we serve.”

The organization says the newest cuts will transfer more financial responsibility onto the backs of students and the reductions will affect the livelihoods of all Albertans.

“It is likely with further layoffs that will likely result from this funding reduction, COPPOA members will have to decrease programming for students. These programs help Albertans retrain in order to secure employment and are essential to individuals who want to improve their skills and continue to support their families,” the statement continues.

COPPOA officials say the fiscal outlook for Alberta institutions has been worsened by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Public health measures have significantly reduced revenue derived from on campus program delivery, reduced enrollment of international students and increased costs associated with alternative delivery. The Alberta government has not provided any COVID-19 related funding to institutions to address these impacts, in contrast to some other provinces,” the statement points out.

“The ongoing reductions in funding and the absence of a sustainable model are having an impact on institutions’ ability to attract and retain faculty, staff and students necessary for Alberta to compete in the global market. Despite the challenges,” the statement concludes. “Alberta’s post-secondary institutions will work to fulfill their individual mandates.

In its submissions to government, COPPOA members advocated for the need to reduce red tape and government-imposed rules that prevent institutions from realizing more own-sourced revenue to improve their financial sustainability.

Meanwhile, the Alberta Students’ Executive Council (ASEC) is disappointed in what the provincial budget means for students.

The organization says Budget 2021 delivers 6.2 per cent less funding to institutions, while remaining committed to increasing tuition to an unaffordable level by 2023.

“Alberta’s students understand the difficult times facing the province and call on the Government of Alberta to invest fully in advanced education as a means of economic recovery by restoring funding to the Campus Alberta Grant, reducing the planned three year 22.5 per cent tuition increase, and providing greater affordability to Albertan families by eliminating interest on Alberta student loans,” reads a statement from the organization.

“Cutting funding to institutions when they are already struggling to operate doesn’t make them operate more efficiently, it just means students and families will have to bear more of the costs,” adds Brittany Lausen, Chair of ASEC. “The path to balance should not be on the backs of Alberta’s students and families. We should be investing in education as a way to recover, not making it less affordable and less accessible.”

by rdnewsNOW staff

RDC continues budget planning amidst declining provincial grant revenue

What's Trending