Friday, February 4, 1994

WAITING FOR THE DOUGH:  News about university grants and tuition fees
for 1994-95 won't likely be coming until after the federal budget later
this month.  "We obviously have to wait for the transfer payment 
announcement," the Ontario education minister, Dave Cooke, said 
during a brief visit to the University of Western Ontario last Friday.  
His statement was reported Wednesday in WesternNews.

The newspaper reported that Cooke said he has made recommendations to 
Ontario treasurer Floyd Laughren, but the numbers may have to be changed 
after finance minister Paul Martin announces transfer payments in his 
first federal budget. That means that tuition levels for next year probably 
will be announced "in the later part of February or in early March".

Cooke has previously said fee increases would be "substantial," but 
added on Friday that, "I certainly have indicated that they won't be 
raised 50 per cent." He also said that he has submitted not just a 
tuition recommendation but a "whole package" to the cabinet that 
reflects concerns of students and the Council of Ontario Universities on 
issues such as ancillary fees.

The minister also reaffirmed the government's opposition to any revenues 
derived from a tuition fee increase being channeled into salaries.

MEANWHILE, UW's budget, for next year and for several years after that,
will get some attention this afternoon as the senate finance committee and
long-range planning committee hold a joint meeting.  It starts at 2:30
(some previous announcements said 1:30, but that's wrong) in Needles Hall
room 3001.  

This joint meeting, which follows one held in mid-December, has two general
agenda items.  One is "planning for planning" -- how does UW figure out
where it wants to go over the coming years.  The other is finances -- how
does UW cut some $10 million from its operating budget by the time the
Social Contract expires in 1996, plus make whatever other cuts and changes
are needed in the meantime?  

Both committees plan to keep meeting through March and April, but
separately, according to a tentative agenda.  Both committees include
the faculty deans and other top UW people, as well as faculty and student
representatives.  "Representatives of UW stakeholder groups continue to
be welcome," says the agenda.  And the meetings are open to anyone interested.

THIS WEEKEND:  FASS continues in the Humanities Theatre (at 7 and 10
tonight, at 8 Saturday night).  

Chinese New Year is approaching, and the first of several parties welcoming
the Year of the Dog happens Sunday night in Federation Hall; this one is
sponsored by the Central Ontario Chinese Cultural Centre.

Chris Redmond
Information and Public Affairs
credmond@watserv1    ext. 3004