Daily Bulletin

Hint of another budget cut

A "preliminary" sketch of the operating budget for the coming year shows expenditures of $185.8 million and estimated income of $183.0 million, leaving some $2.8 million to be found. "A budget cut or levy of 2.1% would be needed," say the notes to the budget, which will be presented by provost Jim Kalbfleisch. The committee is likely to meet at least once more before approving a recommended budget to be considered by the senate and UW board of governors.

Some key points of the budget outline Kalbfleisch will present tomorrow:

• Government grants are expected to stay at their current levels -- $102.9 million -- since the province has said its expenditure on post-secondary education is frozen for this year.
• Tuition fee rates are going up by 10 per cent, boosting UW's income from fees to $59.3 million.
• Income from other sources will drop slightly, to $20.8 million.
• Salaries -- the bulk of UW's spending -- are expected to reach $128.6 million, up from $124.5 million this year. ("Included in salary increases," Kalbfleisch writes, "are known increase costs for faculty and CUPE, plus estimated salary increases for non-union staff and graduate teaching assistants.")
• Benefit costs are going up thanks to higher rates for health insurance, dental insurance and the Canada Pension Plan.
• Scholarships and other student assistance funds will rise to $5.3 million from this year's $3.9 million, as UW is required to put a share of tuition fee revenues into bursary funds.
• Most budgets for non-salary costs are being frozen at current levels, except the fund for library materials, which will go up by 6 per cent to $5.1 million.
• The budget includes another $3.1 million payment towards the accumulated deficit that was produced by the 1996 early retirement program. The deficit stands at $6.2 million as of this spring.

The presidential nominating committee

The committee said in a campus-wide announcement two weeks ago that it's looking for advice by May 15 on three broad questions:

• What are the key issues, challenges, and opportunities that will be facing the University of Waterloo in the next decade?
• Recognizing that no one candidate will possess all of the desired qualifications to an equally strong degree, what should the Committee seek in potential candidates for President, in terms of: Academic and professional qualifications; Administrative and management experience and abilities; Personal qualities and style?
• Can you think of individuals who might fit the criteria?

Local volunteers are wanted

What are you doing on the weekend? Do you enjoy sports and animals? Could you include a young man with shared interests one weekend a month? Care givers are needed for an active 20 year old man who loves horses, dogs, hockey, baseball, basketball, golf, movies and video games. He has a developmental disability and needs some time away from his family. A young couple without children would be a preferred match. Expenses are paid. (Listing 034-96.)

Caring ceramics assistant. Whether you're an old hat at ceramics or not, your help is needed for 2 hours on Friday mornings to assist residents of a Waterloo seniors residence. Volunteers will help with ceramic pieces and bringing residents to and from the program. Help is also needed to bring residents to and from the program. (Listing 085-2247.)

Short-term childcare needed. Just 2 hours a week of your time will allow low income parents of preschool children to participate in a Waterloo Regional Health Unit parenting course. Volunteers with a love for children are needed from April 20th - June 15th from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at Highland Baptist Church. (Listing 030-180.)

Concerned about seniors? Individuals with a strong interest in supporting the elderly are needed to serve on a Board of Directors. Skills in fundraising and marketing are an asset. This is a great way to support the work of an agency who matches volunteers with lonely seniors. (Listing 027-1082.)

Develop and direct. Put your organizational and planning skills to work for the Canadian Diabetes Association. The local branch is looking for a Fundraising Chair who will coordinate and oversee a well-developed committee structure and help meet their financial goals. A person with great interpersonal skills and a background in volunteer management is also needed to develop and manage the volunteer structure. (Listing 098-2248.)

Hospital treasurer. The Volunteer Association at a local health care centre is in need of a very special volunteer. An accountant or very experienced senior bookkeeper who has 10-12 hours a week during the day is needed to maintain accurate financial records, do banking, supervise data entry volunteers and report to the Association Board meetings. This position would be ideal for someone who is retired or semi-retired who would like to make a difference in their community. (Listing 024-1468.)

More information about any of these challenges, and a good many others, is available from the VAC at 742-8610.

These few other notes

Canadian writer George Elliott Clarke will read at UW today -- 3:30 p.m., in the common room of St. Jerome's University. He's brought to campus by St. Jerome's, the UW English department, and the Canada Council. Says a biographical note: "Born and raised in Nova Scotia, George Elliott Clarke earned degrees in English from the University of Waterloo (BA), Dalhousie (MA), and Queen's (PhD). He is now teaching Canadian and African-American literature at Duke University. Essayist, playwright, poet, and editor, Clarke's most recent books include Lush Dreams, Blue Exile: Fugitive Poems (1994) and Eyeing the North Star: Directions in African Canadian Literature (1997)."

The "media literacy film series" from WPIRG winds up with the showing today of "Advertising & Consumerism", at 7 p.m. in Davis Centre room 1304.

And . . . with exam time getting close, the libraries are now on an extended schedule, in effect through April 24. The Dana Porter Library will be open from 8 a.m to midnight, Monday to Thursday; 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday; and 11 a.m. to midnight, Sunday. The Davis Centre library will open at the same hours as Porter, and stay open one hour later than Porter every night.

CAR

Editor of the Daily Bulletin: Chris Redmond
Information and Public Affairs, University of Waterloo
credmond@uwaterloo.ca | (519) 888-4567 ext. 3004
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