3
On the assumption that the redevelopment
is completed on schedule, and taking into account the lead time for building works, the earliest that accommodation could be available to cater for expansion to 4,000 fte at Renfrew Road would be the start of the academic year 1993-94. If, therefore, it was decided that the College should expand to 4,000 fte in 1991-94, unless alternative accommodation could be provided, it would only be possible to achieve this in the final year of the triennium. This would mean an increase of one third of the existing student population (or 1,000 fte) in one year.
Financial implications
If the student population at the College were to increase from 3,000 fte in 1992-93 to 4,000 fte in 1993-94, the additional recurrent cost, at 1988 prices, would be approximately $63.5m. If expansion were to be phased annually over the 1991-94 triennium, the additional recurrent cost, on the same basis, would be :-
1991-92
$21m
1992-93
$42m
1993-94
$63.5m
The cost of expansion over a four-year period from, say, 1993-94 to 1996-97, would be :-
1993-94
$15.9m
1994-95
1995-96
1996-97
$31.7m
$47.6m
$63.5m
Conclusion and Recommendation
Having taken into account the foregoing
factors, the Committee has concluded that, for academic reasons, even if the College were to overcome the problem regarding accommodation, it would not be appropriate for the College to expand to 4,000 fte by 1994. However, members consider that there would be merit in permitting the College to expand from 3,000 fte to 4,000 fte by 1996-97, with such expansion phased over the four-year period 1993-97. This would represent a rate of increase which members consider to be reasonable, and the maintenance of academic standards would continue to be strictly monitored by the UPGC.