Carleton Participating in MCURES Efficiency Review

To all members of the Carleton community,

We are writing to inform you that the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security has mandated Carleton’s participation in a third-party “efficiency and accountability” review. Twelve Ontario universities were selected for this review last year; Carleton is one of five additional universities recently identified for review.

Due to our ongoing budget deficit, Carleton currently is rated in the medium risk category in the Province’s Financial Accountability Framework, which assesses the financial health of universities and assigns an overall risk rating and action plan requirement to improve financial performance.

Over the next several months, the review will involve a third-party consulting firm working to identify efficiencies and best practices in areas such as governance, administrative and student services, academic programming, facilities, procurement and revenue generation opportunities. This review will be fully funded through the Province’s Efficiency and Accountability Fund (EAF), which was first announced by the Ministry in February 2024. The Province has committed $15 million to the EAF over three years to “support third-party reviews that will identify actions institutions can take to drive long-term cost savings and positive outcomes for students and communities.” Carleton’s participation in the review will be fully funded by MCURES through the allocation of up to $500,000 to cover direct costs billed by a third-party consulting firm.

Details about the efficiency review and opportunities for community consultation will be communicated when they are finalized.

As a complement to the Ministry-mandated review, we will continue to implement our Mission Sustainability Framework, which targets areas for cost containment, revenue growth, academic program renewal and organizational excellence to address the university’s deficit and to protect the integrity and sustainability of our academic mission. The Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program, introduced in November 2024, is one component of the framework. Details about additional initiatives will be shared in a timely manner.

The environment within which post-secondary educational institutions function has experienced acute and material change, as previously communicated. The result is significant sector-wide financial stress across the country, making it critical that we continue interventions to support our commitment to mission sustainability. Despite the circumstances we face, we are dedicated to shaping a hopeful future for the university that builds on our excellent academic programs and impressive research record. It is important that we all work together to address our financial challenges in ways that ensure that this record is not jeopardized.

We will continue to provide information regarding the university’s financial state in a clear and transparent manner after the 2025-26 operating budget is approved by the Board of Governors. Updates related to the operating budget will be posted on the Provost’s website.

A reminder that the President’s Spring Town Hall will take place on April 28 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., in Richcraft Theatre (RB 2200). Please note that registration closes today for those wishing to attend in person and space is limited. For those unable to join us on campus, a livestream of the event will be available on the President’s webpage.

Sincerely,

L. Pauline Rankin
Provost and Vice-President (Academic)

Duane McNair
Vice-President (Finance and Administration)