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Montreal, January 17, 2013 – Take bold action to slow the underfunding of university operations. Structure accountability mechanisms more strategically. These are the two main recommendations made by the heads of Quebec universities in a brief to be submitted at the meeting on university governance and financing taking place at Université de Sherbrooke on January 17 and 18.

Underfunding is an undeniable reality

“The facts are clear: for the last 15 years or so, despite government reinvestment, Quebec university operations have been underfunded compared to other Canadian universities. Year after year, universities in other Canadian provinces are better funded than those in Quebec, creating a widening gap that it is becoming increasingly difficult to close. The situation is urgent and corrective measures are necessary so that our universities are able to offer the best possible education to those entering the labour force, provide effective support for high-quality research, and continue contributing to Quebec’s social, cultural, scientific, technological and economic development,” said Luce Samoisette, Chair of the CREPUQ Board of Directors and Rector of Université de Sherbrooke.

The study on the underfunding of university operations made public this week shows that the shortfall, which was $325 million in 2002 and $620 million in 2007, had reached $850 million in 2009-2010. This represents 24% of the universities’ operating budget that year, or $4,090 per full-time student.

“Underfunding must be dealt with first. Revising the funding formula, as proposed by various parties, will do nothing to resolve the problem unless it is accompanied by a significant injection of resources,” added Daniel Zizian, Director General of CREPUQ.

Investment priorities

“The universities themselves are in the best position to decide where money would be best spent, in accordance with the particular conditions of their milieu and the specific needs of each establishment. Nonetheless, some priorities are common to all,” explained Mr. Zizian.

• Hiring professors: To return to the teacher-student ratio of the year 2000, and taking into account realistic projections regarding enrolment growth, about 2,100 professors and other teaching personnel would be required by 2019, which would ultimately cost approximately $275 million.

• Hiring professional and support staff: These positions are essential to support professors and ensure the smooth functioning of daily activities involving laboratories, libraries, IT services, the registrar’s office, administrative services, maintenance, etc. This represents approximately $200 million.

• Support for students to help them continue their studies: This would include creating assistance centres to promote academic success; more internships, as well as tutoring, mentoring and peer coaching programs; developing services for students with disabilities; and improving student services.

• Upgrading technological and library equipment by increasing budgets for acquiring documents and equipment.

• Increasing financial assistance for graduate students.

• Support for internationalization, for example, through research projects, student and professor exchange programs and welcoming foreign students.

Make accountability process more strategic

Quebec universities report to the university community and the Quebec government. They are subject to more than 50 laws and must produce an enormous number of reports of all kinds. No aspect of university operations escapes this accountability process.

However, the universities deplore the fact that the process is more bureaucratic than strategic in nature. We believe the goal should be not to increase the amount of data transmitted or the number of authorities with the power to demand such data, but rather to structure the accountability mechanisms more efficiently and, most importantly, more strategically.

Quebec Council on University Affairs

The rectors and principals of Quebec universities propose creating a council on university affairs, to be called the Conseil des affaires universitaires du Québec. This would be an independent body for study, analysis and consultation whose specific tasks would include proposing objectives for Quebec with regard to university programs and research.

This could not be a decision-making body, as the government cannot delegate its responsibility to develop the university system to a limited group of experts, no matter how competent. Nor can it relieve university boards of directors of their responsibilities.

Make education THE number one priority

University rectors and principals have been saying this since 2008, and many have taken up the call: education at every level must become THE top priority in Quebec. We are responsible for ensuring that all young people have an opportunity to fully develop their potential in order to meet the challenges we, as a society, will face in the future.

The CREPUQ brief may be viewed here: http://www.universites-avenir.ca/gouvernance-financement/

CREPUQ includes all 19 Quebec universities. The organization acts as their voice in relations with government and milieus concerned with university education and research. It also fosters coordination and collaboration between universities, is a research centre for university administrations, acts as a centre for coordination and joint service delivery, and is a resource centre and think tank for its members.

Source:
Chantal Pouliot, Director of communications
Conference of Rectors and Principals of Quebec Universities
514-288-8524, poste 244
cpouliot@crepuq.qc.ca
http://www.crepuq.qc.ca