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The UPEI SUN,‘Ihursday,Eeb.23,I978,page 6

Administration

It appears that some sort of clarification is needed for last week's lead story entitled "Education Faculty Shafted".

This reporter, in a Ieeting with Mr. Clough, 'JPEI comptroller, was able to find some of the answers raised in last Jeek's article.

First of all, the Space Allocation Committee is a Presidential appointed committee, not a Senate sub-committee. The committee has recently changed. Mr. Clough ' stated that the new members are Gerry Arsenault (Education Faculty) ; Don Ooles (Director of Physical Plant) ; Jim McDougal (Science) 5 'Ied Webster (Arts) and Frances Piercy

_ (Student) .

Mr. Clough went on to say that the Administration are not dragging their feet.

Not'

- been the fault of the

various faculties for not submitting their proposals earlier.

'Ib_ date there are four departments applying for space in IVEmorial. These are: .1) Modern Languages 2) Math 3) English and 4) Education.

Mr. Clough applied to the MPHEC last Spring

Dragging VFeet

MEM o RIAL MAKEOVER

possible renovations. He applied for "a fairly

substantial sum," a ‘ nurber of dollars per sq fmt.

Mr. Clough didn't think that the Education Dept. had been informed that they were to be the potential tenants of Kelley Building a number of years ago. He remembered that the Nbdern languages Dept. had

at the time.

The Space Allocation Committee will be meeting shortly. 'Ihey will make their decisions after talking to the deans, the various dept. people and so on. Consideration will be based on a) need b) Dept. size c) enrolment and d) joint use Of space.

It appears as if Memorial Hall will be lying idle for a while. 'Ihe Space Allocation Committee has to make their recommendations to the President who in turn takes it to the Buildings and Grounds Committee, which is a Board of Governors sub-committee and then the President has to take it before the Board of Governors for the final O.K.Mr.C10thh voiced some concern over'the fact that there is at present noispace for the summer hostel. He said that this concern has been expressed to him before and the problem is being looked

Instead, he said, it has requesting funds for presented a strong case mm

INCREASE IN OPERATING GRANTS

'Dne Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission (MPHEC) announced today that it has been informed by the Council of Maritime Premiers of 1978-79 operating assistance levels for Maritime post—secondary institutions. The Council of Maritime Premiers has approved a funding level which provides a 6.7% increase in operating grants and which will enable a basic increase in total institutional operating budgets of approximately 5.3% should tuition fees stay at 1977—78 levels. In addition, several institutions will receive equalization grants that will enable these institutions to move closer to the average level of support for Maritime institutions.

'Ihe Provinces of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island have also agreed to

provide an additional 1%

increase in operating . grants (approximately 0.8% increase in total budgets) to institutions within their respective provinces. 'lhe Council stated that it was not able to respond to the final two years of

the MPHEC'S three year plan.

The Commission has allocated the approved assistance level among institutions. Institutions will be informed, in the near future, of their 1978—79 grants. Sudn grants will be subject to the appropriation of funds by the provincial legis— latures.’

The Council, in its

response to the Commission, '

also indicated that it is expected that, with the approved funding levels, tuition fee increases will be and not exceed the rate of cost of living increases.

The response by the Council varies from the Commission's recommenda- tions in that it precludes a 1.5% provision for national catch-up, - supports regional equali- zation of assistance to institutions over a ten year period rather than the five years proposed by the Commission, and provides operating in- creases of 6.7% in New Brunswick and 7.7% in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island for sustenance rather than the 10.8%

recommended by the Commission. The antici- pated tuition fee ' increases coincide with those expected by the Commission.

The Camiission's capital recommendations will be considered by the Maritime governments on an individual province basis.

In reacting to the Council's response, the MPHEC recognizes the fiscal préssures facing the governments of the Maritime provinces. "me Commission's financial plan, submitted in September, 1977, contained assumptions which already have changed as the projected upturn in economic growth is not occurring

as expected. In addition provincial revenues from the federal government are, significantly lower than anticipated. Provided that adequa' te- alteration and renovation and. equipment funding is forthccmun' g following discussions on the MPHEC'S capital recommendations, the Commission considers the Council's response to its recommendations appropriate in the present circumstances. 'Ihe Commission expects its post-secondary institutions will have to make difficult

decisions in continuing

‘ to deal with financia

restraint. -

COLLEGE: INVESTMENT IN. THE: FUTURE