Daily Bulletin, Wednesday, December 14, 1994

IT CAME TO PASS in those days that there went out a decree from the dean
of arts office, that all the world should sing carols, or at least all who
observe Christmas in that spirit.  And all went to sing carols, every one
into the lobby of the Modern Languages building at 12:15 today, where
Jake Willms will lead the music.  And there will be with him a multitude of
the host of faculty, students and staff, singing praises -- and enjoying
light refreshments afterwards.

BUDGET CUTS:  Another decree today is from the provost, Jim Kalbfleisch,
who has issued the following memo to department heads:

     Last week the provincial government announced 1995-96 tuition and
     grant levels for the Ontario universities.  The government confirmed
     its previous decision to increase tuition by 10%.  It also indicated
     that previously scheduled grant reductions wold occur, but that
     there would be no new cuts to our grants.  This is relatively good
     news, and should mean that budget-cuts in 1995-96 will be lower than
     in the past three years.

     Unfortunately, the news for the current year is less favourable.
     Tuition income has not met our projections, partly because of a drop
     in differential fees across the province, and partly because expected
     enrolment levels at the undergraduate and graduate levels have not
     been attained.  As a result we now expect a shortfall of about 
     $1.7 million, which represents about 1% of this year's operating
     budget.  This is too large a deficit to carry forward, especially
     with the uncertainties of a pending provincial election and the
     federal review of transfer payments to the provinces, and therefore
     it is necessary to take action to reduce this year's deficit.

     Following consultation with the Deans' and Executive Councils, I am
     announcing a levy of 0.5% on 1994-95 operating budgets.  This levy
     can be met using one-time savings in 1994-95.  Details will be
     forwarded to Deans and Associate Provosts, who will be responsible
     for achieving the savings in their Faculties and academic support
     areas.  I recognize that it will be difficult to make this reduction
     so far into the fiscal year, but I believe that it is necessary in
     order to avoid larger reductions next year.

     Thank you for your cooperation.

Today's Gazette has earlier reports about UW's budgeting for 1995-96 and
the things that governments are doing to universities.

DIG THEY MUST:  The hole in University Avenue (eastbound lanes), just east
of Seagram Drive at the main entrance to campus, should be a short-lived
one.  Waterloo city hall says the repair work there will be finished by
about noon and the road will be open when people are leaving campus at
the end of the day.

PARTYING:  The mature students group holds its Christmas luncheon at the
University Club at noon hour today.  Faculty, students and staff involved
in the "tri-council eco-research" program, a cluster of research projects
about the Grand River watershed, will gather at the same location from 
6 to 9 this evening for an informal Christmas get-together.

MOONLIGHT MADNESS is promised at UW's bookstore and UW Shop, which will
be open until 11 tonight for holiday shopping.  Sale prices start at
4 p.m.: 10 per cent off everything in both stores, with the usual exceptions 
such as textbooks, calculators and special orders.

ALSO TODAY:  There's a "graduation" ceremony and reception this afternoon 
(Festival Room, 2:30 p.m.) for staff who have recently completed the 
Working, FrontLine Leadership, or "Non Management Professional" training
programs.

Books on term loan from UW's libraries are due back today.

Chris Redmond
Information and Public Affairs, University of Waterloo
888-4567 ext. 3004      credmond@watserv1.uwaterloo.ca