This post is part three of many in my series as I point out some facts and figures from a special financial review that shed light on real problems affecting UNBSJ as well as UNB as a whole. I will compile a few relevant quotations from the financial review, and offer a brief summary to bring it all together.

“Universities mean more to their communities, their provinces and their region than just about any other single industry.” -”Smarter Together: The Economic Impact of Universities in the Atlantic Provinces” (page 40)

“The report, The Economic Impact of Universities in the Atlantic Provinces (February 2006), issued by the Atlantic Association of Universities (AAU), reinforces the perspective that universities are a powerful strategic partner for governments, economic development agencies, regional advocacy organizations and communities to advance and grow the knowledge economy.” (page 40)

“Students also contribute significantly to the local economy while attending university and continue to do so beyond graduation providing innovation, growth and immigration. The university provides meaningful R&D for the private sector, funded primarily by the federal government’s national granting councils, which fuels innovation and growth in economic and social sectors.” (page 40)

I will admit that before this debate started, I never totally understood the importance of UNBSJ to Saint John and the province. I had little idea how it all worked, and was even cynical about it before. But now that I do understand things a bit better, I can’t begin to comprehend why eliminating or diminishing a university has been on the table. If you need reasons why UNBSJ is actually important, take a look at any newspaper from the past month.

It’s clear that UNBSJ is critical for Saint John’s growth potential, so what is holding it back right now? In my next analysis post, I will take a brief look at how the current formula places the port city campus at a disadvantage within the UNB family compared to its Fredericton counterpart.

Tags: n.b., saint john, save unbsj, unb, unbsj

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