No Response to Fisher Report
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ISSN 0229-2378 Volume 26 Number 8 82 02 25 Mixed reaction to funding - no response to Fisher report Relief mixed with disappointment was the The Report suggests a restructuring on a The impact of the increased visa fees reaction of Ontario university officials after reduced scale if adequate funding is not avail- will not be clear for a while, but if the num- a meeting with Premier William Davis and the able. Some restructuring is obviously going to bers are reduced or the mix of such students Minister of Colleges and Universities, Dr. Bette take place, the President indicated. The changed, "it could be serious," President Stephenson last week. They were pleased to government recognizes that some flexibility is Forster noted. He expressed appreciation, hear that global funding for the Ontario necessary to provide time to sort out however, that the government saw fit to apply system for 1982-1983 will be increased 12.2 problems, he said. the increased visa student fees only to new p er cent to $1,036 billion, somewhat higher Specific allocations to individual univer- students, and not to those in-course at the than many expected. They were clearly sities are not known yet. However, the present time, as has happened in some other disappointed, however, that no response was percentage increase to the University of jurisdictions. made to the Report of the Committee on the Guelph will be marginally lower than the In her announcement, the Minister also Future Role of Ontario Universities (the global figure due to our lower than average had a very strong message about deficits Fisher Report) commissioned by the govern- increase of students over the last several years. incurred by universities. She said that no ment and released last August. The Minister Preliminary calculations indicate that special funding will be available to bail out did say, however, that a meeting will be Guelphs funding increase for 1982-1983 universities. She is now seeking OCUAs called in late March to discuss the Report. from the Ministry will be 10.9 per cent over advice on legislation designed to prevent the The Minister also announced that formu- the current year. Each universitys share is emergence of unmanageable deficits. For la tuition fees will increase by 12.2 per cent dictated by enrolment, based on a slipped universities that incur unmanageable deficits, and the student assistance program will be three-year "rolling average" and by the mix provision will be made in the legislation to adjusted to take this into account. Actual of programs in which students are enrolled. appoint a government trustee, to suspend fees may continue to be set at up to 10 per charters, dissolve governing boards of the uni- Visa Students Fees Up cent above the formula without penalty to versities, and suspend all contractual obliga- the university. New visa students enrolling in September, tions such as tenure. There is a widely held The percentage increase in global fund- 1982, for the first time will be required to view that OCUA may be given an expanded ing seems good on the surface and in com- pay sharply increased fees, either $2,700 or role with regard to rationalization of course parison to awards to other groups. But it is $4,400, depending on the level of the pro- offerings and avoidance of duplication. q not as good as it looks. Universities have had gram, the Minister also announced. President several years of under-funding and have signi- Forster described the governments visa stu- ficant catching up to do. President Donald dent policy as "short-sighted." We have Forster pointed out that the 12.2 per cent is an obligation to such students," he significantly lower than the 15.6 per cent said in noting the contribu recommended in the Fisher Report and the that such students make slightly over 15 per cent recommended by its to the University and advisory body, the Ontario Council on Uni- the co versity Affairs. large wh No Response to Fisher Report President Forster noted that as no direct response to the Fisher Report was forth- coming, the universities have no idea whether this years funding represents "buying time for one year" or some small change in govern- ment priorities. "Whichever it may be, it provides no long term guidance as a basis for long-range planning," he said. He expressed a "strong impression" however, that the government does not want a drastic restruc- turing of the Ontario university system. Meeting of February 16, 1982. English at the University of Sherbrooke, Provincial Relations and Support for It was an old-fashioned Senate meeting last Douglas G. Jones, is to receive an honorary Universities, and agreed to its publication and distribution. The report acknowledges the Tuesday night as members debated the D. Litt; the ceremony date yet to be deter- merits of academic rigor and the worth of a mined; professor in microbiological engineer- federal governments wish to see account- degree in the marketplace. ing at the Swedish Medical Research Council ability for their contribution towards univer- The discussion, prompted by Pathology and head of MI RCEN-Stockholm, Carl-Goran sity education, and suggests ways through chairman, Professor Ted Valli, and responded Heden, is to receive an honorary D.Sc. at the which this could be achieved through student to mainly by Veterinary Microbiology and fall ceremony, and retired professor of Land assistance, research, specific programs and I mmunology chairman, Professor Brian Resource Science, Leonard R. Webber, will manpower planning. The report, however, Derbyshire and the Dean of the Faculty of be named Professor Emeritus at the spring stresses the need for long-term, consistent Graduate Studies, Carlton Gyles, preceded a Convocation. funding to maintain the infrastructure of 50-49 vote in favor of approving a proposal universities. A federal-provincial advisory MOTIONS for a non-thesis M.Sc. in epidemiology at body to oversee university funding is also the OVC. Noting the close vote, President Board of Graduate Studies proposed. Donald Forster said that there was undoubt- • Senate received a report on additions Prof. Auld also noted that Council was ably some serious reflection needed about the to graduate faculty and associated graduate informed that TV Ontario is proceeding to program and also perhaps some changes. He faculty for approval. They are: investigate ways and means of implementing Graduate faculty: J.B. Britney, School of Agri- encouraged senators to express their concerns degree credit courses via the distance educa- cultural Economics and Extension Education; M.A. to the Dean of the OVC, Douglas Maplesden, tion mode of instruction. q Evans, Psychology; P. Farragher, School of Agri- and to the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate cultural Economics and Extension Education; J.A.G. Studies, and to suggest some ways to make Hansen, University School of Rural Planning and New appointment to the program more acceptable. Development; G.E. Penfold, University School of Prof. Valli charged that the M.Sc. by Rural Planning and Development; D.H. Percy, Board of Governors courses in epidemiology was merely "a change Pathology, M. Tollenaar, Crop Science, and R.W. of name and the adding of a few courses Wetmore, Chemistry. to an existing diploma program in preventive Associated Graduate faculty: D.C.F. Fayle, medicine which is being phased out." He Ministry of Natural Resources/Horticultural Science; added that there is also a strong Masters pro- G.T. Holmes, Department of National Defense/ gram in pathology, and the introduction of Consumer Studies; D.J. Madder, Guelph/ an M.Sc. by courses would degrade the level Environmental Biology, and P.C. Williams, Canadian Grain Commission/Food Science. of the M.Sc. given at the OVC, or at least introduce a double standard. • Senate approved the termination of Prof. Derbyshire responded. He noted the Ph.D. program in consumer studies, that the M.Sc. by courses is primarily taken effective with the spring, 1982 semester. by veterinarians who are working with the • Senate approved course changes for federal government. It is not intended for 1982-1983. those who wish to come back to undertake • Senate approved changes in the Gradu- an academic thesis, he said. He noted that the ate Calendar. proposed M.Sc. by courses is more rigorous • Senate approved revisions to the regula- than the diploma program. It demands two tions for University of Guelph fellowships more courses and a general examination and bursary/scholarships. which are not part of the diploma program. • Senate received for information a Dean Gyles noted that the present report on allocation of University graduate diploma program has low acceptability in fellowships and scholarships to Departments. the marketplace. An M.Sc. by courses, on • Senate received for information a the other hand, is well accepted in most areas report on regulations and guidelines for and has a higher value in the job market. An Departmental selection of recipients of M.Sc. by courses does not jeopardize an M.Sc. fellowships and scholarships. Thor Eaton by thesis, he added. "The two can exist side • Senate approved the establishment of Thor E. Eaton has been named to the Board by side." There is a need for people with the an M.Sc. by course work in epidemiology. of Governors by the Lieutenant Governor in kind of training the M.Sc. program offers, Council. He will serve a three-year term. said Dean Gyles. The program is intended to Research Board Mr. Eaton is vice-president and director prepare veterinarians and others with an • Senate approved the regulations of the of Eatons of Canada Limited and director appropriate background to organized animal Research Board.