The Red Blog

by Olivier Marcil

McGill is in! An enthusiastic Jean-François Lisée expressed unabashed delight Monday at the enormous joint effort between McGill and the École de technologie supérieure to bring about the Quartier d’innovation in Montreal’s Griffintown neighbourhood.

The provincial Minister responsible for Montreal, among other portfolios, spoke near the end of a high-tech kick-off event that filled the main hall of the hip Darling Foundry building near the old industrial/residential area that will become a living laboratory bringing together researchers, students, star-up enterprises, social action, community groups and redevelopment. (more…)

By Vice-Principal (Administration and Finance) Michael Di Grappa

There has been much talk on campus lately about cuts to our operating grant and the shortfall in our operating budget.  To understand just how severe the situation is, a few days ago I wrote about the additional challenge of McGill’s pension deficit. Today I would like to shed light on another of our significant, yet often forgotten, financial challenges – the growing deficit tied to maintaining our infrastructure. It puts additional pressure on our Capital Budget, and our Operating Budget. (more…)

By Vice-Principal (Administration and Finance) Michael Di Grappa 

In a recent email to the community, Provost Masi and I outlined some of the growing expenditures  that are putting pressure on McGill’s increasingly limited finances.

As we will table our 2014 Budget to the Board of Governors on April 26, I would like to talk today about the first of these expenditure challenges: the growing cost of pension plans.

Pensions are an important part of McGill’s commitment to the well-being of our staff. They are also a key element of our employees’ total compensation, which includes health coverage, insurance, and additional benefits. This competitive package, and other advantages, contributes to our University regularly ranking among the top employers in Quebec and across Canada. (more…)

By Provost Anthony C. Masi and Vice-Principal (Administration and Finance) Michael Di Grappa 

Last week the Principal wrote to the community to outline the rather bleak financial situation that the University is facing. She also outlined a series of measures that will be included in the proposed budget for fiscal year 2014, which begins on 1 May 2013. These actions are deemed necessary to ensure four goals, namely that:

1. the University remains compliant with the funding rules and repayment of deficits established by the government of Quebec (e.g., the Ministry of Higher Education),
2. we protect our core academic and research mission and fundamental values,
3. we act in a fiscally responsible and prudent manner as the steward of funds, public and private, entrusted to McGill,
4. and, most importantly, the chosen measures minimize the effects on people and programs due to reductions in the number of employees and reduced spending power.

Subsequent to the Principal’s message, there have been some questions regarding the breadth and scope of the cuts and the measures proposed to deal with them. We take this opportunity to clarify some key elements of the plan for dealing with the cuts to our grant. (more…)

by Professor Heather Munroe-Blum

Last week, the Board of Governors announced that Dr. Suzanne Fortier has been selected Principal-Designate of McGill and is expected to begin in early September. I congratulate the Advisory Committee on their fine work and the Board for their choice of candidate.

I have known Suzanne for almost 20 years. I have the greatest respect and admiration for her intelligence, her distinguished career as a researcher and academic, and her advocacy, nationally and internationally, on behalf of higher education, research and women in academia. She will be an exceptional leader for McGill. I know that she is absolutely passionate about McGill, and committed to the success and well-being of our University. (more…)

By Provost Anthony C. Masi and Vice-Principal (Administration and Finance) Michael Di Grappa 

Following the Summit, some media reported that the cuts to Quebec’s universities had been reduced by 75 per cent. This is not the case. In reality, we face the same level of cuts — $38 million for McGill in this year and next. The government offer provides some flexibility in the time frame and removed the threat of monetary penalties for not taking the cuts now, but we must implement them.

As well, the Government has described reinvestment beginning in 2015, economic conditions in Quebec permitting. The Government is setting up a work group to review how this funding would be allocated to universities, and we do not know what portion McGill will receive. Given this, and the significant economic uncertainties, we cannot responsibly count on this investment. (more…)

In this photo, Lili-Anna Pereša, President and Executive Director of Centraide of Greater Montreal, and McGill alumna, is handing Principal Heather Munroe-Blum a crystal plaque as a token of appreciation for co-chairing the 2011 Centraide of Greater Montreal campaign. The 2011 Centraide of Greater Montreal campaign raised $59 million – $3.5 million more than the 2010 campaign. The 2011 McGill Centraide Campaign raised a total of $417,000.

The 2012 McGill Centraide fundraising campaign was co-chaired by Dean Peter Todd and Vice-Principal (Administration and Finance) Michael Di Grappa. The campaign ended in December 2012, and closed just short of its fundraising goal. With everyone’s combined efforts, the McGill community raised a total $405,188, making a big difference in the lives of Montrealers in dire need. Thank you to those who participated and donated.

Also, if you haven’t done so already, check out the adorable 2012 McGill Centraide Campaign video ‘Give a Little Bit’ starring the 2012 campaign co-chairs, Marty the Martlet, and a cast of thousands.

The Quebec Summit on Higher Education took place on February 25 and 26, 2013. On day one of the Summit, some 350 participants commented and exchanged views on four main themes: quality and governance, research and collaboration, financing, and accessibility. On day two, Premier Marois announced what she saw as emerging consensus on certain directions. 

This document lists the commitments made by the Government: 2013 Quebec Summit on Higher Education – Government commitments

This document gives details about the five working groups: 2013 Quebec Summit on Higher Education – 5 Working groups  

As the PQ’s summit on higher education wrapped up on Tuesday, Principal Heather Munroe-Blum’s closing statement from the Summit is available online in English and French:

http://www.mcgill.ca/principal/speeches/lectures/2013/final-summit-statement

http://www.mcgill.ca/principal/fr/speeches/lectures/2013/declaration-finale-sur-le-sommet

Thank you all for your great comments and suggestions.

In addition to the ongoing advocacy by senior leadership, other members of our community have also initiated actions:

Some have asked for sample letters that they can send to their MNAs. English and French sample letters have been prepared and can be accessed here:  http://www.mcgill.ca/budgetcuts/get-involved.

Others such as Dr. Joaquin Madrenas, Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology have started petitions: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/the-13to1-campaign/. Dr. Madrenas’ campaign called ’13-to-1’ (after e-signing, ask for 13 more signatures in your network) aims at rallying support in educating the Quebec government on the positive contributions of McGill to Quebec and to ask for the reversal of the alarming budget cuts being pushed through.

“The number 13 has been traditionally associated with bad luck.  And 2013 may be an ‘annus horribilis’ for McGill if we do not do anything to change it. But there are many positive aspects to the number 13. For every $1 invested by the Quebec Government into McGill there is a return on investment of $13 to the Quebec economy.”

It’s great to see that members of our community are taking a stance, sharing creative and easy-to-take actions, and standing up for McGill and for our Quebec universities against these drastic and ill-considered cuts.