This notice is from the archives of The Notice Board. Information contained in this notice was accurate at the time of publication but may no longer be so.
On March 22, 2018, the Alberta government introduced its 2018-19 budget in the Alberta legislature. Over the past year, the University of Lethbridge (U of L) and many of its stakeholders have advocated the importance of stable and predictable funding for the post-secondary sector. This certainty ensures the U of L will continue to play a critical role in diversifying our regional economy and in improving the quality of life of the communities we serve through our teaching, research and outreach activities. We are pleased that the Alberta government has delivered a budget that will support the mandate we are given.
As was the case in the last three years, the budget includes a two per cent increase to the Campus Alberta (operating) grant. Tuition remains frozen, however the budget includes an allocation for tuition backfill, although the distribution to the U of L has not been provided yet.
The government has also signaled its intent to grow capacity in programs that enable students to succeed in a growing technology sector and it will create 3,000 new post-secondary technology spaces to support this initiative. A total of $6 million will be allocated for this initiative in the 2018-19 fiscal year. An additional scholarship fund will also be set up to support students in technology fields.
Importantly, the Alberta government will also continue to invest in student supports, including $8 million for student mental health initiatives and $11 million for indigenous training providers and targeted supports for indigenous learners.
Funding for Alberta Innovates will be $175.8 million in 2018-19, a slight drop from last year’s funding.
As announced a couple of years ago, funding that supports the construction of the Destination Project will continue with $50 million being distributed over the next two years. Also, while the Infrastructure Maintenance Program grant shows a cut in the budget, the Ministry has already relayed that the allocation the post-secondary institutions receive for deferred maintenance will remain unchanged.
As in previous years, the U of L expects to receive further details in the coming weeks as to the Budget 2018-19 allocations for the U of L.
Contact:
richard.westlund | richard.westlund@uleth.ca