
Ask the Nipissing Board: What’s the plan?
On March 11, The Nipissing University Board will vote on a motion that could hurt everybody in and around North Bay. It’s a motion that would force the university administration to balance its budget this year.
A growing number of people in North Bay are asking the Board: What’s the plan? What’s the plan to ensure that spending cuts at Nipissing — a major regional economic driver, education provider, and top employer – do not harm the communities that depend on it?
You can join the many other North Bayers urging the board members to think twice.
It’s easy. Just click here, and your email program should pop up with an email already addressed and filled out – just add your name at the bottom.
If the link doesn’t open the email, just copy-and-paste the text on the right into an email. Don’t forget to add your name at the bottom.
Text of Email
To: [email protected], [email protected]
cc: [email protected], [email protected]
bcc: [email protected]
Subject: What’s the Plan?
Simply copy and paste the text below into your email.
Dear Nipissing University Board Member,
I am deeply concerned about the board motion to force the Nipissing University administration to balance its budget this year, and I’m writing to ask: what’s the plan?
What’s the plan to ensure that spending cuts at Nipissing – a major regional economic driver, education provider, and top employer – do not harm the communities that depend on it?
I urge the board to take into consideration Nipissing’s vital importance to our communities, pay attention to the university’s strategic plan, and focus its attention instead on calling for enhanced post-secondary investment from the provincial government.
Of course, responsible spending is important.
But the university administration has already made great progress in reducing spending and cutting its budget.
Facing a $12 million operating deficit in 2014/15, Nipissing and the accounting firm PwC began a process to put the university back on solid financial ground.
In 2019 the newly elected provincial government directed universities to cut their tuition by 10 per cent and freeze tuition for 2020-2021. The government also changed how the OSAP program worked and granted funds to students.
Neither of these major changes were in the PwC and University plans and had a direct impact on new students being able to attend or continue their studies.
Nevertheless, Nipissing had reduced its deficit significantly by 2020 – down to just $2 million.
Then COVID-19 hit, putting even more pressure on the administration.
At this uncertain point in Ontario’s history, the public deserves to know how Nipissing can balance its budget while still serving a community that is concerned about its economic future.
Before you vote, I urge every member of the board to ask themselves: what’s the plan to ensure a forced balanced-budget doesn’t hurt students, staff, employees, and the entire community depending on the university.
Thank you,
[Name]