Facilities Management

Build, expand, recruit: Budget 2023-24 paves way for further impact 

Apr 28, 2023

Creating greater impact, building a strong and inclusive community, and further establishing a presence on the world stage are at the core of Western’s 2023-24 budget. The university’s Board of Governors approved $896.2 million in base or one-time spending and $147.2 million in capital spending for 2023-24 at its April 27 meeting.  “To be a force for good in the world, our faculty, staff and students need appropriate resources to fuel their work. We’re pleased to have support to execute this wide-ranging budget that will equip our community with the tools they need to thrive and allow us to continue expanding where it matters. Ultimately, these investments make it possible for Western to increase its impact at home and abroad,” President Alan Shepard said.  Highlights of the operating budget include: 

Expansion of in-demand academic programs and allocation of $2 million for 300 undergraduate summer research internships
Addition of nearly 200 new faculty and staff members and investment of another $15 million in the endowed matching chairs program
$1.8 million for student scholarships, staff and programming to further equity, diversity, and inclusion work
$1.5 million (over three years) in needs-based funding for graduate students and a $4,000 increase to the minimum guaranteed funding for PhD students
Renewal and expansion of information technology (IT) infrastructure through a $5-million investment in university-wide upgrades
$40 million in support of projects in the Long-Range Space Plan

Guided by the university’s strategic plan, Towards Western at 150, the 2023-24 budget is the first year of a three-year planning cycle. It builds on Western’s last two budgets, which also prioritized investments to further the strategic plan.  “Western’s strong brand helped us maintain a stable fiscal position throughout the pandemic, setting us up for responsive and continued growth over the next three years,” said Florentine Strzelczyk, Provost and Vice-President (Academic). “This budget emphasizes Western’s commitment to its most important asset, our people, allowing us to create greater value for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and for our communities surrounding us and in the world.” Investing in people and place Budget allocations to the faculties and support units will support the recruitment of up to 59 new faculty and 137 staff members across campus and $15 million in one-time funding has been dedicated to expand the endowed matching chairs program. Additions, renovations and new buildings will enhance campus and Western’s regional impact. Seven major construction or renovation projects are included in the capital budget, including a new Engineering building, the Ronald D. Schmeichel Building for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and two new residence buildings — one for first-year students and an apartment building for graduate and upper-year students.  The capital budget also includes $7.5 million for major renovations and $55.8 million for new construction, such as the new Bio-Convergence Centre that acknowledges the growing ties and collaboration between medical, health and life sciences, and engineering. Campus-wide infrastructure investments amounting to $30 million reaffirm Western’s commitment to sustainability, innovation and state-of-the-art facilities and IT upgrades totaling $5 million will further modernize campus resources.

“We need a modern, sustainable campus that meets our needs and keeps pace with the growth across the university.” – Lynn Logan, Vice-President (Operations and Finance)

“Building plans continue to take shape. We’re happy to move one step closer to putting shovels in the ground on critical projects that will house our community and support a new level of innovation and impact,” Logan said. Building an inclusive culture, supporting internationalization The budget includes a commitment of $1.5 million (over three years) in needs-based funding for graduate students, as well as a $1,000 transition grant for all international students new to Canada.   A total of $1.8 million – a base budget of $700,000 plus one-time funding of $1.1 million – will be used to further equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigenization goals, such as student scholarships, additional staff, the national Building Reconciliation Forum (June 26-28, 2023) and other programming.    Looking ahead, a global engagement plan for the university is in development and will launch later this year. That roadmap will outline how Western can contribute to tackling the world’s biggest problems and developing students into global citizens.  

Electrical systems back to normal

Jun 19, 2012

Western has resumed normal operations as full power was restored to all systems Monday following a power outage across campus late last month.

Power still reduced as repairs continue

Jun 13, 2012

Last month’s power outage across campus has now been stabilized, although extensive damage to the components that feed a transformer means Western will not be operating at full electrical capacity for a number of weeks.

Langille: Appeal for conservation after outage

Jun 6, 2012

I want to thank everyone involved in restoring power to Western after the equipment failure and subsequent power outage last week.

Power restored across campus

May 31, 2012

Power and air circulation lost in several buildings over the past 24 hours, due to a transformer problem in the south sub-station, were restored overnight Wednesday.

Wall: Pedal power can drive change

May 23, 2012

Annual Bike to Work Day takes place on Monday, May 28, and the Western community is encouraged to make an eco-friendly commute by biking, walking, taking public transit or even carpooling to work. These options are environmentally preferred because driving consumes fossil fuels and produces greenhouse gases.

Western wins environmental honour

Mar 22, 2012

Western’s sustainability efforts reached a “significant milestone” last night as the university took home the Environmental Leadership Award presented by the London Chamber of Commerce at its annual Business Achievement Awards.

Western named Environmental Leadership finalist

Jan 24, 2012

Western is one of two finalists for the Environmental Leadership Award presented by the London Chamber of Commerce. The honour is part of the annual Business Achievement Awards.

Campus Digest

Jan 5, 2012

New residence construction continues

Construction of Western’s new, 1,000-bed student residence is underway with Southside Construction working toward the building’s 2013 completion. Roughly 600 beds at the new residence on the southwest side of campus will be available to incoming students for September 2013.

Join the conversation on campus sustainability

Nov 9, 2011

As part of Western’s Imagine 2022 initiative, you are invited to participate in a Virtual Sustainability Slam, an online brainstorming session on sustainability ideas for the Western community.

Western’s future may be written in STARS

Nov 3, 2011

The University of Western Ontario has its environmental lens pointed towards the STARS. But if results are to be believed, the university may need to sharpen its focus to be among Canada’s most sustainable campuses.

World Cafe sets sustainability table at Western

Oct 20, 2011

Western community members with an environmental ‘sustainability wish list’ can help translate imagination into reality at the World Cafe being held Oct. 25.

Are solar panels on Western’s horizon?

Sep 22, 2011

With 748,500 square metres of building area on campus, The University of Western Ontario is considering turning rooftops and walls into solar charging stations. But in order to do so, the university will need to invest in reinforcing the current infrastructure first.