Notice Board

Trevor Kenney
trevor.kenney@uleth.ca
Univ Adv - Communications
November 15, 2013

The following is a message from University of Lethbridge President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Mike Mahon

As I indicated last week in my message to the University of Lethbridge community, the Government of Alberta has made an immediate reinvestment in Alberta's post-secondary education system. For the U of L, this means a 2.62% increase to our Campus Alberta operating grant or $2,412,731 million in continuing additional funds effective this fiscal year (2013-2014).

Critically, the Alberta government's reinvestment results in a balanced budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year. This will allow our institution to transition back to our annual budget planning process to achieve the long-term goals of the U of L through the implementation of our strategic priorities. As previously reported, the March 2013 budget announcement of a 7.3% reduction in our Campus Alberta operating grant required us to make a total budget reduction of $11.8 million in the fiscal year 2013-2014.

At the beginning of our budget reduction process we identified three values to guide us through our decision making people, quality and access. Considering our values, as well as the recent reinvestment made by Alberta Enterprise and Advanced Education, the University will continue to discuss with the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) the definite layoff days implemented for AUPE staff. To this end, AUPE has also consented and endorsed a moratorium on the lay-off days up to November 30, 2013.

We have also stated since the beginning of our budget reduction process that we would treat all employee groups fairly, while not exactly the same, in relation to the compensation for other University employee groups. Taking into consideration the 2013-2014 compensation agreements with the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association and AUPE, on November 14, 2013 the Board of Governors Compensation Committee approved for Administrative Professional Officer (APO) and Exempt Support Staff (ESS) employees a one-time performance incentive payment of 1.5% of their annual salary for those APOs and ESS who are on staff as of December 1, 2013. There will be no change to the compensation of Senior Administrative staff, who received 0% cost of living adjustment and 0% merit/career progress for 2013-2014.

The work the U of L has undertaken since the operating grant reduction announcement has been difficult but absolutely necessary. While the additional funds are welcomed, the budget reductions required to balance our operating budget in future years still remains significant. Today, we have started to evaluate the impact of the small percentage of returned funds with the Budget Advisory Committee and we will continue to involve the University community in these important discussions.

Once again, I want to thank the many members of senior administration, our faculty, staff, students, Board of Governors, Senate and the public who advocated so passionately on the importance of post-secondary education to the future of our province and to the benefit of the University of Lethbridge.

Dr. Mike Mahon
President & Vice-Chancellor