Budget Office

The Budget Office is part of the Finance Department at UNBC. The staff members in the office are responsible for budget administration for the University, which involves forecasting, developing and managing the University’s operating budget. The Office is also responsible for providing information and advice to Deans, Directors and the various departments regarding their funds to facilitate informed decision making. Decision-making support and information to senior management and the Board of Governors are also key services of this area.

To streamline communications and improve service in budget-related matters, a “designated contact person” has been assigned for each area of General Operations, NMP and Ancillary units. If you need assistance with any budget related matters in these areas, please contact Sean Kinsley at sean.kinsley@unbc.ca or Tracey McIntyre at tracey.mcintyre@unbc.ca, as per the designated contact list in the link below:

Budget Office Responsibilities

Please note that while this list indicates the primary contact for each area, in the event of vacation or other extended leaves, either Sean or Tracey may respond to budget related matters.

University Budget Overview - 2023/24

The University of Northern British Columbia’s Board of Governors has approved a combined general operating and ancillary services budget of $119.5 million with a consolidated deficit of $2.4 million for 2023-24 that will be financed by general reserves and is subject to final approval by the Province.

Given the renewal of UNBC’s strategic plan, revival of strategic enrolment management, review of Finance and Administrative Services, and the work-in-progress on digital infrastructure and data analytics, 2023-24 is considered a transition year. During the coming months, UNBC will need to demonstrate adaptability, flexibility, and nimbleness to align institutional resources to evolving priorities and strengthen functional capacity, systems, and tools.

The consolidated deficit includes a contingency provision of $1.28 million. Budgeted employee costs represent 75% of total operating expenditures. About 58% of the University’s General Operating Fund revenue is budgeted to be provided by the Government of B.C., while approximately 26% comes from tuition and fees. Budget 2023-24 also includes a tuition fee increase of 2% for all domestic students and international students who began their studies at UNBC prior to September 1, 2021, and 4% for international undergraduate students commencing studies after August 2021. It represents a $14 per month average increase for domestic undergraduate students based on full-time course load of 30 credits per year.
UNBC continues to make diligent progress on its financial sustainability framework, which commenced in the fiscal year 2020-21, to achieve short- and long-term financial sustainability.
Keeping the primary focus on increased enrolment through strategic enrolment management, comprising student and employee recruitment, retention, and success, the critical priorities for 2023-24 include the following:

Readiness to implement the renewed strategic plan.
Accelerated attainable enrolment and financial stability.
Aligning resources to evolving priorities and critical needs.
Strengthening functional capacity, systems, and tools.
Student and Employee recruitment, retention, and success.
Enhancing data analytics and digital infrastructure.

Focused efforts in a transformative student experience, addressing fiscal challenges, and ongoing effectiveness, efficiencies and excellence are critical for UNBC’s success. UNBC has adopted a strategy-driven approach to budgeting, built through the lens of a long-term perspective, with sustained focus and alignment on the University’s strategic priorities.

The transitional budget while enhancing organizational readiness, functional capacity, systems, and digital infrastructure, will continue to focus on key priorities and contribute to the following outcomes:

Progressively increased enrolment and enhanced student experience and success.
Increasingly inclusive people development and employee success.
Systematically improved multi-year integrated planning that supports strategic growth and stability.
Progressively improved optimization and digital transformation.
Enhanced UNBC brand, transparency, and accountability.
Increased financial stability.

UNBC continues to show its resilience and make steady progress, primarily driven by the UNBC community’s unwavering commitment, dedication, and collective team effort. UNBC strives to ensure its community has an environment that is flexible and supportive, uses a collective team-based approach, and is one that provides growth opportunities.

University Budget Documentation

University of Northern British Columbia

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Finance Department

Budget Office

University Budget Overview - 2023/24

University Budget Documentation

Integrated University Plan

Financial Planning Overview

General Operating Budget Summary

Budget Planning Framework

Other Budget Related Documents

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