To balance the budget deficit, the Faculty of Arts and Science has pushed the implementation of budgetary measures to the 2026-27 school year.
Senators gathered on Feb. 1 at Robert Sutherland Hall to address budgetary concerns, deliberating on the extension of another year for the Faculty of Arts and Science (FAS) to achieve a structurally balanced budget for the academic year 2026-27 instead of 2025-26.
Principal Patrick Deane opened the meeting by citing Premier Doug Ford’s announcement of the Government’s commitment to refrain from raising tuition fees.
Deane mentioned the Federal Government’s decision to cap international student visas is going to negatively impact all institutions across Canada.
“There’s a real danger in the process because it is complicated and coming at a very bad time that it will affect all institutions very negatively,” Deane said.
He reiterated to the Senators the current situation isn’t unique to Queen’s University—rather, it’s a challenge impacting universities across Canada.
“I think everyone in this room is aware of the challenges we, and all the other institutions in the province are facing because of this funding,” Deane said.
Provost Mathew Evans informed the Senators that achieving a balanced budget over the next two years isn’t feasible. Instead, he suggested a “longer runway” to implement the necessary measures for achieving a balanced budget by the 2026-27 school year.
“It is evident from budget discussions that Arts and Science will be unable to clear its deficit within a two-year time frame that we set previously,” Evans said.
FAS Dean Barbara Crow echoed Evans’ statement, emphasizing the extended timeline for achieving a balanced budget will coincide with adjustments to the minimum cap for undergraduate classes.
The measures to extend the minimum cap for undergraduate class enrolment will align with the broader budgetary measures and extend to the years 2025-26.
Evans updated Senate on the transition of Bader College students to Kingston and the commencement of their winter term courses. The transition was marked by a full day of activities as part of the “Welcome to Kingston” initiative, which took place on Jan. 13.
On a cheerier note, Jane Philpott closed the session by announcing the Ontario Government has announced a substantial investment of $110 million in primary care teams across the province.
According to Philpott, a yearly allocation of $4 million will the establishment of new primary care sites, facilitating access to primary care for over 10 thousand people within the Kingston community.
“Queen’s has very much had its fingerprints all over. […] We hope to have a clinic open no later than July the first and it will be good news to the whole community,” Philpott said.
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