On March 12, the government announced that it will be launching consultations to inform a review of the funding formula for universities, starting this spring. The process will be open, formal and transparent and will include students, administration, and faculty. The government has also indicated that employers, colleges, professional associations and the elementary and secondary education sector will be included in the consultations.
OCUFA will participate actively in the process at every opportunity to ensure that Ontario’s professors and academic librarians have a strong voice at the table. OCUFA has developed a set of principles that should guide public funding for Ontario’s universities. They include ensuring adequate resources to provide high quality and affordable higher education, supporting good academic jobs, and promoting stability, equity and transparency.
The government has indicated that its focus throughout the process will be fourfold:
- Enhance quality and improve student experience
- Support differentiation as expressed in each universities’ strategic mandate agreement
- Maintain financial and long-term sustainability of the postsecondary sector
- Increase transparency and accountability
Sue Herbert has been appointed to lead the consultation process. Herbert played a central role in the process of negotiating strategic mandate agreements with the community colleges and has served as deputy minister in several ministries.
In anticipation of this review process, OCUFA Report has been hosting a special series of articles examining issues around the current funding formula. You can read parts one, two, three and four on OCUFA’s website.