Austerity, Higher Education Reform and the Year of Living Dangerously

Glen A. JonesOntario Research Chair in Postsecondary

Education Policy and Measurement

Outline

• Government Funding, Austerity and the Ontario Context

• 2011/12 as the “Year of Living Dangerously” for Ontario higher education

• Austerity, Reform and Moving Forward

Funding Ontario Higher Education• The Canadian (and Ontario) story is quite

different than the story of reform in the UK, Australia, and southern Europe.

• There is no Canadian “system,” and there are major differences in policy direction by province (e.g. Quebec, Alberta, Ontario)

• Common policy themes: High access, efficient use of funds, research/innovation

Ontario funding …

• Ontario per-student government funding for Universities is the lowest in Canada.

• Ontario higher education has been treated quite well by the current provincial and federal governments (operating, research and capital funding)

• Major financial challenges associated with 2007/8 downturn were related to the market (endowments, pensions) not government.

Ontario funding …

• The 2011 Ontario budget did not suggest austerity for higher education, instead it promised:– Funded enrolment growth– 3 new campuses (enrolment demand)– On-line institute – Improvements to credit transfer– Expansion of international students

Ontario funding …

• One major elements of the Liberal election platform was new investments in student financial assistance (tuition rebate).

• … but then …

The Year of Living Dangerously

• Glen Murray appointed Minister of MTCU in October of 2011.

• Promises “Big” “Fast” Reform and initiates a whirlwind of activity

On the table …

• Shift from 4 to 3-year degrees• On-line learning to play a major role in

undergraduate education• Year-round education• Learning outcomes• Entrepreneurial education• Experiential learning• Strategic mandate agreements (differentiation

and efficiency)

Beyond MTCU

• Drummond Report arguing for differentiation and major changes to the college sector

• Wage restraint legislation

• Possible pension reform

And then …

• Premier resigns• Minister resigns to run for leadership• Many within the higher education sector breath a

huge sigh of relief.• Government shifts to maintenance mode.

General sense that there has been a useful discussion of some good ideas – but that most of this activity has been a waste of time.

Moving Forward

• The government is already taking steps to reduce expenditures in other areas, and higher education will not be spared

• Government wants to maintain/increase access to PSE while reducing expenditures

• It believes that part of the solution can be found in wage restraint

Moving Forward

• We need a plan– Requires strengthening our capacity for policy

development in government (expertise, data)– Requires a consultative process that would

build confidence and legitimacy

• We need implementation– Will require some difficult decisions

Thank you

gjones@oise.utoronto.ca

www.glenjones.ca