President Turpin outlines priorities for 2010/11
At the first Senate meeting of the academic year, President David Turpin included in his report some key priorities for 2010/11 goals, approved by the university's Board of Governors. Turpin presented these priorities in the broader context of the rapidly changing national and international environment for post-secondary education.
He underscored the Senate's leadership role in maintaining UVic's commitment to excellence in teaching and research, stating that a commitment to a high quality UVic student experience both inside and outside the classroom remains one of UVic's priorities.
Strategic Plan review and renewal
The Strategic Plan continues to serve as the university's overall guide, and the current version is scheduled for renewal in 2011/12. At the beginning of the new year, UVic's Planning and Priorities Committee will publish a progress report on the implementation of the most recent strategic plan and a discussion document to contextualize some of the issues facing UVic. Between January and April there will be a series of consultations across campus and beyond and, over next summer, the committee will pull all the information together and present a revised draft plan by the start of fall.
"Given the changes in the external environment, this is going to be a very important planning iteration," said Turpin.
He emphasized that the ongoing integrated planning process ensures that the priorities of the Strategic Plan are still being addressed even during a tight economy.
New VPAC
Turpin said that one of his priorities within this process would be to facilitate and support the transition of Reeta Tremblay, UVic's new vice-president academic and provost, into her position at the university.
Student recruitment and retention
UVic has a record enrolment this fall, and Turpin emphasized Senate's leadership role in guiding both the students' academic and non-academic experience on campus. Turpin identified a focus this year on support for programs that enhance student retention and on increasing opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds. Recruiting the right student helps with retention efforts.
UVic will continue to support student financial aid and academic support centres and new student orientation programs.
Budget
Balancing the budget will continue to be a key institutional priority. Turpin told Senate that the years of incremental growth funded by the provincial government are coming to an end and that the university community should anticipate that, even in an environment of stable funding, some "modest reductions" will be necessary to offset rising costs.
Successful bargaining/contract ratification
Reaching agreements with various employee groups is a key priority for the coming year. The university had already ratified a contract with the Professional Employees Association and had a tentative agreement with the Faculty Association (which has since been ratified). Negotiations with CUPE locals were under way.
Infrastructure upgrades on target
The university remains on target to complete upgrades to six of its oldest buildings under the federal/provincial Knowledge Infrastructure Program. Despite being one of the country's most complex projects, UVic's building upgrades will be done by the March 31, 2011, deadline. Turpin praised the "unbelievable work" that has been done by the facilities team and expressed appreciation for the support, patience and good spirits demonstrated by the affected faculties and departments during the renovation process.
Funding plan under development for new athletics facility
A funding plan is also under development for a new Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities, which will expand and improve facilities for athletics and recreation activities and for the Department of Exercise Science, Health and Physical Education as well as provide a new home for CanAssist, a unique UVic initiative which develops and delivers assistive technologies for people with special needs.
Advocacy
Turpin explained that the university's advocacy agenda will be important. While economic recovery seems to be under way, governments are still dealing with significant deficit and debt issues, leaving them with little choice but to raise taxes and/or decrease spending. The latter are likely to affect big-expenditure areas like health and education. In addition, Turpin described the ongoing need to position UVic in a provincial post-secondary system with 11 universities, 11 colleges and three institutes.
Turpin said that advocacy at both levels of government is required to increase access and financial support for undergraduate and graduate students, to improve access for Aboriginal students, and to support opportunities to bring international students to Canada as well as send Canadian students overseas.
He said that the university is "lobbying hard" for increased support for research and knowledge creation—federally through the granting councils and the Major Science Initiative (MSI), and in BC through the Knowledge Development Fund. The importance of support for the indirect costs of research is also being emphasized.
Discussions are also under way with the province to extricate universities from the government reporting entity (GRE), which limits universities' flexibility to assume debt for capital projects. The universities and government are developing a framework that will allow institutions to move outside of the GRE while maintaining those important elements of the social contract that define public education in this province.
Fundraising
Turpin said that fundraising is integral to supporting students, quality programs and aspects of capital growth. He described UVic as moving into a "major gift culture" where the goal is to attract larger gifts of $10 million and more. He said that UVic is developing and stewarding relationships with donors that will allow the university to generate that kind of support.
While acknowledging there are exciting challenges facing UVic in the coming year, Turpin remains positive that the university will continue to excel and meet its mission to support excellence in education, research and service to the community.