As contract talks between UNBC and its Faculty Association have hit a standstill, some accusations of how much the school is spending is raising some eyebrows.
The union has released a list of what the call “priorities” of UNBC’s Board of Governors.
Some of the items include remodelling the cafeteria for an estimated $1.5 million, spending $1.3 million on 25th Anniversary Celebrations and $600-700,000 on a new telephone system.
Faculty Association President Jacqueline Holler says another item they are seeking clarification on is $800,000 for underground sprinklers.
“But I think its important that people know, that the universities financial documents, and their audited financial statements are public as is the university’s budget,” says Holler, “so they should be able to find out themselves, about the priorities that UNBC is setting, and its financial situation.”
UNBC Vice President of External Relations Rob Van Adrichem says on a yearly basis, they review what projects the university funds.
“Some of these relate to the ongoing operations of the campus,” says Van Adrichem, “others are sometimes one time investments, that reduce operating costs for the long term.”
Van Adrichem says he does not know the details on specific projects the union is making claims to.
PHOTO: Faculty Association is revising price of underground sprinklers as they have found conflicting numbers