Oct. 22, 2013
Initiative to Reimagine the University launched at campus town hall
University of 不良研究所 President Elizabeth Cannon leads a town hall meeting on Thursday, Oct. 17.
Riley Brandt
More than 500 students, faculty and staff attended, or watched by live webcast, the third in a series of budget town halls on Oct. 17. Kicked off by President Elizabeth Cannon, the event included updates on the financial health and future of the university from Dru Marshall, provost and vice-president (academic) and Jake Gebert, vice-president (finance and services.)
Cannon said Eyes High continues to be the university鈥檚 guiding document. 鈥淚t is key that we don鈥檛 take our eyes off our strategic priorities,鈥 Cannon said. 鈥淐hanges are happening 鈥 the government is looking at the Post-Secondary Learning Act, our Campus Alberta grants, how we budget for tuition and how we measure results 鈥 but we are blessed to be in a supportive community and are well-positioned to be an influencer in the discussion.鈥
Marshall announced the creation of the University Reimagined committee, to be comprised of students, faculty, staff, alumni and community leaders. The committee is expected to begin its work in the new year and will make its recommendations in time for inclusion in the 2015-16 budget.
鈥淭he committee will be broadly consultative and the university community will have input into its terms of reference,鈥 Marshall said, 鈥渂ut the three goals are clear: sustainable growth and funding for the institution; ensuring that our strategic priorities are funded; and defining the University of 不良研究所 experience for students, faculty and staff 鈥 all in the context of building on our Eyes High&苍产蝉辫;辞产箩别肠迟颈惫别蝉.鈥
Gebert provided an update on the current financial health of the university and the impact of several government funding scenarios for the 2015-16 budget year.
鈥淚n the past we have closed the gap between revenues and expenses with efficiencies in the way we do things, but that has come at a cost to the institution,鈥 Gebert said. 鈥淲e need to start doing things differently to sustain our financial position.鈥
Slides and a video of the Oct. 17 town hall, included a Q&A session moderated by President Cannon, have been posted .