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Budget

Budget Design Committee (2023-24)

Published: Aug. 2, 2023 | Archived: Oct. 17, 2025

Note: This is an archived page. Visit process and milestones for the latest on the budget model initiative.

Background

In fall 2022, the Vice-Presidents Academic and Provost and Finance and Operations initiated a review of UVic's budget model to assess its effectiveness and look for enhancement opportunities. A Budget Model Working Group engaged in research and consultations and published a summary of findings and recommendations in summer 2023. The summary includes a set of budget model principles and values to underpin decision making.

Through this process, most UVic leaders indicated that they were open to a change or refinements to UVic's budget model. Many universities across Canada have been through or are engaged in similar exercises.

A Budget Design Committee formed in 2023 to further advance this work, culminating in a December 2024 report and recommendations.

Initial consultations

The Budget Model Working Group conducted research and consultations throughout 2022/23.

During the internal consultation phase, the working group engaged with campus leaders including Deans’ Council, Integrated Planning, Presidents’ Leadership Council, chairs and directors, and leaders in each of the university’s executive portfolios. The working group also engaged with governance bodies including the Senate Committee on the University Budget and the Board of Governors Finance Committee.

Since all areas would be impacted by a change in budget model, this broad range of internal consultations was critical in considering the needs and perspectives of different units and ensuring transparency.

Consultations included an education component to share information about UVic’s existing model as well as the range of models in use across post-secondary institutions. A series of questions was posed on what works well and what is seen to need improvement. With the recognition that people make decisions rather than budget models, the consultations included discussions on values and principles.

 

Members of the working group interviewed key budget decision stakeholders at several Canadian universities, particularly in British Columbia and Ontario. We also collected and reviewed publicly available information from various university websites, including universities in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. As well, we heard from and consulted post-secondary colleagues at the annual Council of Western Canadian Financial, Logistical and Operational Personnel and annual Canadian Association of University Business Officers (CAUBO) conferences in 2023.

We collected information from a range of universities, particularly those that are similarly sized and that we consider peers. Recognizing that provincial funding differs, we looked at universities from different provinces to help ensure we build a model that is resilient to change. Both CAUBO and the Education Advisory Board provided helpful materials related to available and alternative budget models, as well as information about adopting and transitioning to a new model.

Budget models don't make decisions, people do. The impact of the budget model depends more on the decision makers—and the quality of decision-making—than on the model itself.

Through this work, we don't intend to change who we are as an institution but to create a budget model that better reflects who we are and what we value.

Committee members

The Budget Design Committee worked throughout 2023/24 to develop and recommend a new budget model for the university, based on the findings from the Working Group. All Executive portfolios were represented as were diverse voices to ensure that equity and Indigenous lenses were applied.

  • Helga Hallgrímsdóttir, Deputy Provost* (chair)
  • Anita Bhappu, Dean of Gustavson School of Business
  • Andrew Coward, Associate Vice-President Financial Planning and Operations*
  • Alex D'Arcy, A/Associate Vice-President Research
  • Cassbreea Dewis, Executive Director, Equity and Human Rights
  • Tony Eder, Associate Vice-President Academic Resource Planning*
  • Lindsay Gagel, Director, Academic Communications and Projects*
  • Lois Harder, Dean of Social Sciences
  • Lalita Kines, Director, Indigenous Strategic Priorities and Community Engagement
  • Allana Lindgren, Dean of Fine Arts
  • Peter Loock, Dean of Science
  • Jane Potentier, Associate Vice-President Alumni and Development
  • Kathleen Sobie, Director, Budget Office*
  • Ashley Fitterer, Project Coordinator* (support)

Member of the Budget Model Working Group

The Committee presented its report and recommendations to President's Leadership Council at a budget model retreat in December 2024, and then to the Board of Governors in January 2025, among other key leaders and stakeholders. 

Budget Design Working Group

The Committee was supported by a group of central budget managers and financial experts, chaired by the Director, Budget Office. The Budget Design Working Group will continue to be involved in modeling and analysis, including to support implementation.

Engagements

The Budget Design Committee has developed an engagement plan to ensure key stakeholders are informed about the model and to prepare for the shadow budget. Throughout 2023–2025, we have regularly engaged key stakeholders including Executive Council, Deans' Council and Academic Leadership, Chairs and Directors, President's Leadership Council, the Senate Committee on University Budget, and the Board of Governors, among other stakeholders and budget leaders.

Notably, there was a full-day budget model retreat on Dec. 4, 2024 for President's Leadership Council to learn about the proposed model and discuss implementation strategies.

We continue to keep our campus community informed through this web page and as major milestones are achieved.