Balanced Budget, New Programs Highlight Fanshawe College's Strategic Plan for 2009/10

Fanshawe College's Board of Governors has approved the College's 2009/10 budget and strategic plan. The plan features a balanced budget of approximately $161 million, $800,000 of which is earmarked for new developments.

Earlier in the year, the College called upon staff to identify efficiencies and trim expenses to reach a balanced budget for the upcoming academic year. College President Howard Rundle praised staff for meeting that goal. "We are proud of the collective good work and innovative thinking that went into developing the 2009/10 plan and budget. These are particularly difficult times and College staff met the challenges head on." He noted too, "Not only were we able to achieve a balanced budget, we were also able to provide some funding for new programs and investments, vital for a learning institution, and even more so now with today's shifting industry trends."

New, innovative academic programming will be implemented this year to respond to evolving labour market needs, including:

• 3D Animation and Character Design (graduate certificate);
• Game Development - Advanced Programming (graduate certificate);
• Emergency Management (graduate certificate);
• Food and Nutrition Management (diploma program);
• Fine Art Foundation (college certificate).

Fanshawe College continues to grow in terms of enrollments. Domestic post-secondary enrollments are projected to increase by 5%, double the previous year's growth, while international enrollments are expected to remain on par with the previous year. There will be continued focus on international learning in the form of additional articulation agreements, student exchanges and placement opportunities. Closer to home, the College is responding to community retraining and Second Career needs with compressed delivery and continuous intake programs.

The College will undertake $43.5 million in capital projects over the next five years, including: the final phase of construction of a new student residence in London (January 2010 opening); classroom, lab and office renovations; building infrastructure and site services renewal; and energy conservation initiatives.

Dr. Rundle commented, "For the College to continue to grow and respond to demand, we must have additional capacity. We have a critical need right now for more space at the London campus." To meet the increased demand for services and programming, two further major capital projects are ready to go, contingent upon government funding: a centre for Applied Transportation Technology at the College's 1764 Oxford Street location (formerly the London Small Business Centre); and a new building at its Fanshawe College Boulevard location, which will house classrooms and other student-centred business units. The College will also undertake (capital) master planning exercises at each of its campuses in Simcoe, Woodstock and St. Thomas to identify future facilities needs that are aligned with the business and programming plans of each campus.

Applied research and innovation will be further integrated into programs and activities throughout the College to enrich the student experience and the quality of graduates, to keep faculty current and engaged, to enhance the reputation of the College, and to contribute to the economic well-being of the community.

An integral part of the community and a major contributor to economic development, Fanshawe College continues to develop and foster important partnerships. For example, it continues to serve community employers and prepares students for the job market through ongoing employer participation (such as co-operative education programs, student placements and clinical experiences, and applied learning activities) thus delivering on the College's mandate: Community Driven...Student Focused.