The College of New Caledonia (CNC) passed another balanced budget and, for the fourth year in a row, has not faced any cuts.
CNC’s board of governors passed the $72,233,246 budget for the 2019-2020 fiscal year at its regular meeting hosted at its Prince George campus on Friday (April 26).
The budget supports additional full-time faculty positions and extended instructional and student supports.
“We’re proud to present a balanced budget that makes important investments in educational delivery at CNC,” said CNC President Henry Reiser in a news release.
Almost $800,000 of the budget is invested in new full-time faculty positions.
Last year, CNC added new faculty positions to keep up with student enrolment and those positions have also been continued in CNC’s 2019-2020 budget.
The budget also includes funding for planned rotational Trades programming in Fort St. James, Vanderhoof, Burns Lake, and Mackenzie, as well as ongoing regular programs in Quesnel and Prince George.
When CNC’s Board of Governors approved a two per cent domestic tuition increase in November 2018, the board advised that those funds be invested directly to the support and development of students.
To support this direction, the budget invested in extended hours for a number of service-oriented departments, added an Aboriginal Community Navigator, created Study Abroad subsidies and new entrance scholarships.
The budget also provides the CNC Students’ Union (CNCSU) with a $50,000 grant to support the creation of student recreation, mentorship, and ambassador programs at CNC.
“Student life is an essential element of the post-secondary experience,” said Chad Thompson, CNC Vice President Academic in the release. “The CNCSU is enthusiastic about fostering more student life on campus, and we’re very pleased to support this.”
At a public budget consultation session on Feb. 1, 2019, the student union committed to matching funds provided by the College for these initiatives.
A multi-year project aimed at improving classroom technology and furniture will also begin this year.
“Improving classroom technology and furniture at CNC benefits both the learning experience of students and teaching experience of instructors,” said Tara Szerencsi, CNC vice president, finance and corporate services in the release.
“This budget is reflective of CNC’s commitment to bringing people and potential together.”
You can check out the full budget online.
