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
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