CNC board approves $72.2M budget

The College of New Caledonia Board of Governors passed a balanced $72.2-million budget for the 2019-20 school year on Friday.

The total represents a $4.8-million increase over last year’s figure and it was the fourth year CNC has not faced cuts.

Revenue from tuition fees is projected to rise by $4.2 million while grants from the Ministry of Advanced Education are to go up $1.4 million, offset by a $116,943 decline from the Industry Training Authority. Revenue from other sources is to rise by $644,934.

Enrollment is expected to rise by 130 students when the fall term starts.

In November, a two-per-cent increase in tuition fees was approved pushing the average a CNC student pays to $2,776. In doing so, the board committed to investing those gains directly into student development and support.

That includes extended hours for a number of service-oriented departments, the addition of an aboriginal community navigator, creation of study abroad subsidies and new entrance scholarships.

The budget also provides the CNC Students’ Union with a $50,000 grant to support the creation of student recreation, mentorship, and ambassador programs.

“Student life is an essential element of the post-secondary experience,” said Chad Thompson, CNC vice president academic.

“The CNCSU is enthusiastic about fostering more student life on campus, and we’re very pleased to support this.”

As well, almost $800,000 is will go toward maintaining new full-time faculty positions added last year to keep up with student enrolment.

The budget also provides funding for rotational trades programming in Fort St. James, Vanderhoof, Burns Lake, and Mackenzie, as well as ongoing regular programs in Quesnel and Prince George.

And a multi-year project to improve classroom technology and furniture will also begin with this budget.

“Improving classroom technology and furniture at CNC benefits both the learning experience of students and teaching experience of instructors,” said Tara Szerencsi, CNC vice president, finance and corporate services. “This budget is reflective of CNC’s commitment to bringing people and potential together.”