The new provincial budget included some positive news for the University College of the Fraser Valley for the coming year. An anticipated reduction of almost $600,000 in next year's provincial grant of more than $31 million will not occur and some additional funding may be coming.

This will assist UCFV to balance its $50 million operating budget for the coming year. UCFV is now in the process of developing a budget proposal for the 2003/04 fiscal year. Expenditures in the UCFV budget will by necessity increase because of rising costs. The news that UCFV can expect at least the same provincial grant amount as last year and possibly some increase will make it easier to meet that challenge.

The provincial budget pointed out that B.C. will experience increased demand of at least 4.8% in the traditional post-secondary age group in the next three years. However, with more students graduating from Grade 12, the increasing need for post-secondary credentials to find good jobs, and the need to retrain and upgrade many adults, the demand for access to post-secondary education will likely be twice as high as this forecast. In the Fraser Valley this demand could be even higher.

"Student demand at UCFV is driven by the economic and demographic realities of our region," says UCFV President Skip Bassford. "We serve the fastest growing region in Canada. As well, students of all ages understand that they must complete more post-secondary education in order to compete successfully for good jobs and for further educational opportunities. UCFV must find ways to meet this demand."

"The new provincial budget has recognized that institutions like UCFV will need to find more resources to meet the needs of students in our communities. The new budget won't solve our budget problems for the coming year but it will certainly go a long ways to helping us find a solution," says Bassford. "We appreciate the work done by the Ministry of Advanced Education in listening to our concerns and ensuring that the provincial government is doing what it can to help students get the post-secondary education and training they need."

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