The College of New Caledonia’s (CNC) Board of Governors passed a balanced budget for the 2020/2021 fiscal year during a regular meeting via video conference April 24.
Budget 2020/2021 reflects consideration for the current COVID-19 pandemic and includes contingencies for a possible decline in enrolment as well as funds for supporting faculty and students with alternate delivery methods.
“As we work through the uncertainly of this pandemic, we will adjust for contingencies for a number of situations that could happen,” said CNC President Dr. Dennis Johnson. “The College will continue to monitor the evolving situation and adapt our strategies to best support CNC students and employees.”
When CNC’s Board of Governors approved a two per cent domestic tuition and three per cent international increase in November 2019, it advised that those funds be invested directly to the support and development of students.
Supporting that direction, CNC’s 2019/2020 budget has invested in additional resources for Aboriginal education, training and professional development funding for student-focused initiatives, and new furniture for some of the common areas.
Last year, CNC added a number of faculty positions to meet student demands. Those positions are continued in Budget 2020/2021 with an increase in funding for faculty regularizations. The budget also features additions to reflect the second year of delivery of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program and the first year of the Civil Engineering Technologist program scheduled to launch in the fall.
A multi-year project to improve classroom technology and furniture, which began last year, continues in Budget 2020/2021. Additional funds are also designated to support the development and enhancement for both digital delivery and other alternate delivery models.
“This is a challenging time for everyone and the level of uncertainly has made this budget process quite different from other years,” said Tara Szerencsi, CNC Vice President Finance and Corporate Services. “However, we know it’s important to continue providing resources to ensure CNC faculty, staff, and students are successful. This budget allows the College to continue meeting the needs of students in this region with a prudent approach while we see how the year evolves.”