These funds do not include additional monies that the university college expects to receive to cover salary increases for faculty and staff. A new collective agreement is currently being negotiated by the university college and its Faculty and Staff Association.

In addition to the operating fund increases, the province has announced that it will allocate $2.1 million for three campus improvement projects on the Abbotsford campus. This includes $1.9 million to upgrade chemistry and biology science labs and $155,000 for renovations to the Disability Resource Centre. Earlier this year the province approved funding for a new Student Activity Centre in Abbotsford and a new multi-purpose classroom/lab/office facility in Chilliwack.

The 9.97 percent increase in operating funds will be used to increase student spaces in high demand areas, offset the costs of courses which have been offered but not fully funded, increase support staff in several areas, cover the cost of contractual obligations such as salary increments and benefits costs, and pay for increases in fixed costs such natural gas used for heating, computer software upgrades, teaching supplies, and other expenses.

"This is a good news budget for UCFV," says UCFV President Skip Bassford. "The funding that UCFV will receive this year clearly indicates that the province has recognized the needs that exist in our region and have taken important measures to provide adequate service to students in our communities. Even though it doesn't fully meet the demands for programs and services in our region, this funding increase is a very significant step forward."

"The additional funding for renovations to the science areas and the Disability Resource Centre is also very important. These renovations will help to ensure that UCFV can continue to offer high- quality courses and services for the students who will use these areas," says Bassford.

This year's increases in UCFV's operating grants will provide more space for students in high- demand areas such as nursing, child protection, and the new kinesiology degree program.

"This year's budget increase will also allow UCFV to begin to address two areas of major concern," says Bassford. "The first is to properly fund a portion of almost 1000 seats which we have been offering without adequate funding. The second is the need increase a number of support staff areas which have not kept up with increases in the instructional areas."

A portion of the new funding will also be used to introduce a new Associate of Arts degree program which can be taken online via computers. UCFV has taken a lead role in developing this new provincial online program. It will be offered in collaboration with five other post-secondary institutions in the province. When it begins this fall, students will be able to complete a two-year Associate of Arts degree online, or they will be able to use online courses to supplement programs which also include on-campus studies.

Planning for detailed budget allocations is currently underway at UCFV and should be completed over the next few weeks.