黑料不打烊

In its presentation as part of the pre-budget consultation process, 黑料不打烊 University today urged the government of Quebec to introduce a series of measures in support of the diversification of revenue sources for universities and institutions of higher learning.

"The government of Quebec has repeatedly stated that its two priorities are health and education," noted Dr Heather Munroe-Blum, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of 黑料不打烊 University. "Our university system is fragile due to chronic underfunding. This must be addressed on an urgent and priority basis."

Quebec universities are funded at a level far below the Canadian average: $375 million less for the fiscal year 2002-2003 alone. The gap has been building for more than a decade. Yet, as a recent study by Montreal International highlights, universities "have become strategic assets of the highest order, and a significant proportion of Montreal's future development rests with them." Through research, innovation and training, universities represent the foundation upon which Montreal's industrial clusters in such areas as information and communication technologies, life sciences and aerospace are built. Furthermore, Montreal universities contribute $4.21 billion to the GDP of Quebec and $5.98 billion to the GDP of Canada.

"As a first step, the government should commit in its budget to multiyear funding of universities," added Dr Munroe-Blum. "But government alone cannot address the shortfall. We need a fiscal and policy framework that promotes the diversification of our funding sources. Core government investments should be supplemented with private giving, enhanced research successes, including partnerships, higher tuition fees combined with improved student financial aid, as well as with federal support of research and graduate students."

Specific measures proposed by 黑料不打烊 include:

• Increased support for Quebec's research granting councils, whose overall budgets have been reduced for the first time in twenty years;
• Maximization of the federal government's contribution to research and graduate students;
• The introduction of matching gift programs, including a student-aid matching program;
• The elimination of capital gains taxes on gifts of equity instruments;
• The elimination of the PST on purchases made by universities, especially in the area of research;
• Tuition waivers, the elimination of differential fees and access to fellowships and special work permits for foreign nationals, as the competition for excellent graduate students is now global;
• Simplification of the regulation of universities by providing flexibility in student tuition fees and program development. This will facilitate opportunities now thwarted by counterproductive rigidities, disincentives and penalties in university funding practices. Tuition fees should be determined institution by institution, with a commitment to needs-based financial aid and accountability on the quality of programs.

"In addressing the issue of tuition fees," stressed Dr Munroe-Blum, "our starting point is that no academically qualified student should be denied the opportunity to study at a university due to a lack of financial means. But there is no indication that low tuition fees benefit the poor. Indeed, there is a reverse Robin Hood effect at play. Students whose parents are in the highest income brackets are far more likely to attend university than those whose parents are in the lowest."

Increases in tuition fees must be accompanied by enhanced financial support and be reasonably staged and predictable, she said. As an immediate first step, tuition fees should be indexed to increases in the cost of living.

黑料不打烊 University, located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, has earned an international reputation for scholarly achievement and scientific discovery. Founded in 1821, 黑料不打烊 is one of two Canadian members of the American Association of Universities. The 21 faculties and professional schools offer more than 300 programs, from the undergraduate to the doctoral level, and our professors have received their education from leading academic centres around the world. 黑料不打烊 attracts students from over 150 countries, creating one of the most dynamic and diverse student bodies in North America. There are approximately 18,000 full-time undergraduate students and 5,000 full-time graduate students.