VIU Looks to Future with Balanced Budget in 2018/2019

With a consolidated balanced budget of $150.9 million, Vancouver Island University is well-positioned for growth in 2018/2019, and focused on supporting the six key objectives outlined in the University’s core institutional document – the Academic Plan: Promoting and Celebrating Access to Excellence.

“The budget is a reflection of how VIU’s internal and external communities are ‘growing together’, investing in and supporting each other to foster the economic and social capacity of our regions,” says Shelley Legin, CFO and Vice-President Administration. “Through partnerships with First Nations, government, communities, foundations, donors and international organizations, we are creating innovative programs and initiatives that support access to post-secondary education and training opportunities for traditional and under-represented student populations.”

Highlights for 2018/2019 include:

• Welcoming students into the new Health and Science Centre and the newly renovated Marine, Automotive and Trades Complex – made possible with almost $60 million in investments from the federal government (through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund [SIF]), provincial government and community partners
• Completing the new District Geo-Exchange Energy System – a $2.4 million project funded by the federal government (also through SIF) and community partners – a major step in fulfilling the University’s commitment to sustainability
• Welcoming the second cohort of students at all campuses into the $13.5 million Indigenous learning partnership, co-created with the Rideau Hall Foundation and the Mastercard Foundation.
• Continuing to build BC’s most accessible Tuition Waiver Program for Former Youth in Care, and welcoming increased support from the provincial government for this initiative
• Continuing to increase the number and average value of scholarships, awards and bursaries supported by community partners and individuals – last year saw record-breaking support from our community partners and donors with more than $4.5 million raised
• Providing students with experiential learning opportunities through applied community based research projects. An example of this is the work being done in partnership with communities through VIU’s Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Regional Research Institute, which generated almost $400,000 in project funding

“It is an honour to serve a values-based institution that is guided by the objectives outlined in the Academic Plan and resourced through this budget,” said Makenzie Leine, Chair of VIU’s Board of Governors. “The initiatives and partnerships VIU is engaged in are making deep and lasting impacts on the communities on Vancouver Island and further afield. I look forward to continuing to work with VIU’s committed employees, building on the success of the past year, and demonstrating VIU’s ongoing commitment to student success at all of our campuses and facilities and in the communities we serve.”

For more details on VIU’s 2018/2019 Budget please see the Budget at a Glance document or visit www2.viu.ca/budget/.

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Media Contact

Aly Winks, Communications Officer, Vancouver Island University

P: 250.740.6529 | C: 250.618.7930 | E: alyson.winks@viu.ca | T: @VIUNews