Investment in university infrastructure a step in the right direction

For Immediate Release May 1, 2009

Concern lingers about provincial funding for higher education

(Halifax) – The Alliance of Nova Scotia Student Associations (ANSSA), representing over 80% of the students in Nova Scotia, welcomes the provincial government’s announcement of $114 M million in funding for infrastructure projects at universities and colleges in Nova Scotia. This funding announcement is a response to a proposal put forth by the Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents, a call that was echoed by ANSSA earlier this year as a part of its’ pre-budget submission to the provincial government.

“We are pleased that the government has recognized the importance of maintaining educational institutions in our province,” explained ANSSA chair Emma Cullen. “Investing in university infrastructure benefits students and researchers, stimulates our economy, and helps ensure our universities remain strong into the future.”

“It is important to note that this investment is just a drop in the bucket for universities in Nova Scotia,” adds Mark Coffin, Executive Director of ANSSA. Nova Scotia universities face a roughly $422 million backlog of accumulated deferred maintenance (ADM) projects. Substandard classrooms, poor air quality, mold, poor lighting, and a lack of accessible facilities negatively impact the learning experience. The persistence of these problems has placed an increased expectation on student’s pocketbooks.

“While infrastructure spending is a step in the right direction, the government must maintain existing student financial assistance programs – like the tuition freeze, grants and bursaries introduced last year – and dedicate additional funding where it is needed most,” explained Coffin. Nova Scotia students are still concerned about the state of higher education in the province. The province of Nova Scotia still boasts the highest tuition rates in the country, with average undergraduate tuition fees totaling $5,932.80 annually.

ANSSA made three additional recommendations in their pre-budget submission to the provincial government earlier this year:
o The implementation of an up front grants system to support underrepresented students in the higher education system, specifically a grants system that supports Aboriginal and African Nova Scotians as well as first-generation university students.
o The initiation of a comprehensive review of the post-secondary education system in Nova Scotia.
o Increasing the province’s total expenditures on post-secondary education to the national average, 5.9% of all provincial expenditures.
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