The College of New Caledonia has passed a balanced budget for 2020-21 and there won’t be any tuition relief for students.
The $77.297 million budget calls for a two-per cent tuition increase for domestic students - the ninth-straight two-per cent increment – while tuition costs for international students will jump three per cent, the first increase since August 2016.
The budget, approved Friday by the CNC board through a video conference vote, includes contingencies for a possible decline in student enrollment due to the COVID-19 pandemic and provides funding to support faculty and students at the six CNC campuses who might require alternate delivery methods for learning course material.
“As we work through the uncertainly of this pandemic, we will adjust for contingencies for a number of situations that could happen,” said CNC president Dr. Dennis Johnson. “The college will continue to monitor the evolving situation and adapt our strategies to best support CNC students and employees.”
The tuition increases were approved by the board of governors in November and will take effect on Aug. 1. The CNC board advised at that time that the increased tuition be invested directly to support and develop students.
The balance of revenues and expenses for the 2020-21 fiscal year through March 31, 2021 is about $5 million more than last year’s $72.233 million budget.
The new budget directs additional resources for Aboriginal education, training and development for student initiatives and will provide new furniture in common areas of the campuses. It includes additional spending on faculty positions to meet student demands.
There are enhancements to support the second year of the college’s diagnostic medical sonography program and to help launch the first year of CNC’s civil engineering technologist program, which begins in the fall. The college will also cover the costs of the second of a multi-year project to advance classroom technology and furniture to support digital and alternate delivery methods.
“This is a challenging time for everyone and the level of uncertainly has made this budget process quite different from other years,” said Tara Szerencsi, CNC vice-president finance and corporate services. “However, we know it’s important to continue providing resources to ensure CNC faculty, staff, and students are successful. This budget allows the college to continue meeting the needs of students in this region with a prudent approach while we see how the year evolves.”
