COLLEGES AND STUDENT SERVICES COMMITTEE 2013-2014 Meeting date: February 12, 2014 Champlain College Morton Reading Room Agenda 1. Chair s Remarks Dr. Melanie Buddle 2. Approval of Agenda Dr. Melanie Buddle 3. Approval of Minutes Dr. Melanie Buddle a. December 4, 2013 4. Trent University s Budget 2014/2015 Dr. Garth Brownscombe & Dr. Gary Boire 5. Campus Card budget Janice Matthews 6. Any Other Business 7. Adjournment In attendance: Melanie Buddle (Chair) Jenna Lawson (CC), Sarah Gauthier (GC), Rachel Artuso (LEC), Vlad Smiljanic (CRLC), Kyllie Jansen (TIP), Lindsay Morris (Campus Programs), Laura Storey (Housing), Kristi Kerford (ASC / Careers), Kudzai Nyakusendwa (TCSA), Lexie Houghton (OC), Jason Rae (GSA), Guests: Gary Boire (Provost), Garth Brownscombe (AVP Finance), Janice Matthews (Parking and Access Control) Regrets: Nona Robinson (AVP Students) Terri Asselstine (Indigenous Students), Muricio Interiano (TISA) Agenda 1. Chair s Remarks Lady Eaton College has a number of events taking place for Black History Month on a number of varying interesting topics, running until 3 pm today. Trent s Fair Trade Celebration all day on the 13 th of February in the Gathering Space. Life after Trent: Networking event on March 11 th from 4 to 6 pm. There will be free food and a cash bar. Employment Fair took place Feb 11 500 students flowed through which is great because the usual turnout is about 180 students.
2. Approval of Agenda Dr. Melanie Buddle Motion to accept agenda Seconded by Discussion: Add an additional agenda item. Campus Card Budget presentation. Motion carried. 1 abstention. 3. Approval of Minutes Dr. Melanie Buddle a. December 4, 2013 Motion to approve the December 4 th, 2013 minutes Seconded by Kudzai Motion carried 4. Trent University s Budget 2014/2015 Dr. Garth Brownscombe & Dr. Gary Boire The following documents are attached and were referred to during the discussion; Budget development 2014/2015 timeline January 27 Fiscal Environment DRAFT Reserve policy UpdateOct15 -Enrolment has a lot of do with the numbers. Just received November count. We were hoping for a 205 targeted increase in enrolment and we received 105.
- There were increases built in for various areas, for example, summer enrolment. Saw an increase in distance education and online enrolment, however, a decrease in in-class enrolment. - It does impact retention for next year, as we will not have the anticipated base of 205 students. - Why do we keep striving for enrolment increases? University gets no additional funding for inflated costs from base grants. The university is expected to make up those costs through revenue or admin costs. If you can grow your enrolment you can attract accessibility funding from the govt. - Trent is on a freeze on implementing new programs. University doesn t know how the province will fund it, and what the province will give more weight to. - As per usual, Trent will create budgets for low, medium and high projects for enrolment. Feasibility is a question, if we have to reduce budgets, where would be the best place to do it? Which areas to target? Laura What does the 100 student shortfall in enrolment equate to in dollars? Garth Very rough estimate of about $1 million Vlad Long term question; when it comes to Ontario demographics, it s envisioned that enrolment that in Ontario will plateau. Is there a worry that the university will never hit the enrolment target, considering that we re in such a competitive market? Garth Good question. In the SMA, it has been outlined that Trent should be thinking of flat line total enrolment. Wouldn t be revenue neutral at the moment. It doesn t recognize inflation. - Tuition rates are regulated by the province. We have moved off prior guidelines. We re at a 3% cap. - Looking at fees. Currently, If students are paying by instalments there is a fee associated with that. There are changes coming that will reduce the university s ability to charge fees for that. Shut down ability to charge for checking student credentials before graduating. This is good savings for the students but add additional cost to the university of about $600K. Additionally, Trent currently charges students Full Time billing status if they take 3.5 credits or more, however in two years, in order to do that students will need to be taking 4 credits. There s a cost to the university for that. - University will be receiving a reduced grant for international students by $750. Most universities are billing that out to the students, which is most likely what Trent will do.
- Salaries and benefits are by far the total expenses. Universities are highly labour intensive. Collective agreement for admin 2.5% increase. Currently in negotiations with faculty as well. Pensions and pension funding is also a big part of costs. Jason Tuition fees graduate students. There is a cap for undergrad tuition, at 3%. What about graduate students? Garth We are able to increase grad rates at more than 3%. There hasn t been a recommendation on that yet. Jason Why tuition is so high for grad students at Trent? Garth Trent graduate students tuition rates are about middle of the pack. Ancillary fees are the highest. 49 clubs and groups, bus passes is built in, campus card. Health and dental. Colleges. Laura Will there be in year budget cuts based on lower enrolment? If so, where will the cuts be made? Garth We don t think we ll have to make budget cuts. Last year we asked all developers to develop budgets with 3% and 5% cuts. Developers are also invited to submit revenue proposals. Looking at one time opportunities for cuts and revenues for next year. Deferred investments on frozen programs will save some money as well. We are looking to talk to departments for 1 or 2% cuts. Laura There are things that we re not doing. We should be looking to incentivize people to be creative and come up with ways to increase revenue. Gary - Great quote by Alex Usher in reference to higher education strategy associations universities have come akin to having to ride two horses as the same time. 1 horse money / 2 nd horse is academic. For example, the Bachelor of education programs is no longer 1 year but 2 years. Weighting on students is no longer 2, it s 1.5. Half of the students that were going to come aren t coming now. One decision has affected entire enterprise.
- Come up with Bachelor of Social Work. Nursing / Education / Social Work are great as they are professional degrees. Has been approved, but it s frozen on the ministers desk because no new programs are being approved. We had 320 applicants for BSW but the minister hasn t approved it for funding and therefore we can t admit any students. 5. Campus Card budget Patti Kidd Budget attached. Twitter account @TrentCampusCard Phase 2 - Laundry at Gzowski College Phase 3 - Looking at adding vendors off campus The Trend is on Campus Card. It s been working really well with the Axim system. Nursing badges line has to do with nurses and giving them access to the hospital Some of the folks at the Life and Health Science building are asking to be added on the campus card system. 6. Any Other Business Melanie - Colleges reserve policy Will be calling a meeting soon to discuss how the monies will be used. 7. Adjournment Motion to adjourn Seconded by Rachel Motion carried.