Frequently Asked Questions
In addition to the frequently asked questions on this page, please also view the frequently asked questions in the documents below:
Phase I is done. Why should we pay for something we already have?
Phase I is completed, but Phase II is needed for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floor classroom areas, as well as the current David Lam Library. Phase I funding was secured due to a student referendum in 2006 where students approved this building fee with 75% in favour. It signaled the building project had student support and encouraged alumni and the business community to help us.
Why should students pay for this?
The building renewal project was started only after students agreed to fund approximately 1/3rd of the costs. To continue to develop the Sauder School of Business, we need to finish the project we have started. It affects both our reputation and our student experience. Current and future donors also need to see that students are supportive of the project they agree to fund.
What will this money be used for?
Student money would be used to pay down the mortgage that will be incurred to complete our building. Each year, the fee will grow with inflation and this will ensure there are funds to continue to maintain the building for future generations of students who will pay the fee.
How much is this fee?
$500 per year per student. This fee would be indexed to inflation. Any money collected over and above the $500 per year will go directly to fund maintenance and technology upgrades for our building.
When would I have to start paying?
Students would only pay for the building once construction has been completed. Estimated project completion is scheduled for September 2012.
Is this a tuition increase?
This is a student fee to be collected by your student society and gifted to the school for the specific purpose of paying the building mortgage in return for the improved facilities we will receive. It is not part of tuition paid to UBC.
Does this affect the tuition and fees I already pay?
This building renewal student fee is separate from and in addition to the tuition and student activity fees that you currently pay.
Is it fair for those to have a vote if they graduate before September 2012 and will therefore not have to pay the $500 annual fee?
This is a fair concern, and one the CUS Board of Directors discussed at length. Since the completion of the building effects Sauder's accreditation and worldwide rankings, this issue pertains to students who benefit from the building, and to those who graduate before its completion to become alumni. To provide a fair representation then of students who feel the effect immediately (through the fee) and those who will be effected in the greater business world we believe it is best to give all years a chance to vote.
How am I qualified to vote as a 1st-4th year student?
This is a student fee that you as a student body levy upon yourself. You do this through your membership in the Alma Mater Society of UBC Vancouver, which is a legally separate non-profit.
What other instances on campus exist where students voted for something that they would never pay for?
AMS - Student Union Building (current building and future building)
Science Undergraduate Society - Abdul Ladha Science Student Centre
Engineering Undergraduate Society - Engineering Student Centre
What examples exist of students voting to increase their student fees?
Architecture Students - $300 fee to cover faculty IT deficit
Commerce Undergraduate Society - Fee increase in the year 2000 to fund equipment upgrades to the facility (along with an expansion of CUS programs).
What calculation was made to arrive at the $500?
The $500 fee covers a $20 million mortgage over 35 years at 5.75%
Can we see a detailed breakdown of what that looks like?
At 5.75% on a $20 million mortgage, annual payments would be just under $1,328,000. $1,328,000 / 2656 students = $500
What will happen to money collected by the fee if alumni or the government step up? (e.g. will there be a re-allocation of the funds towards more student space)
As stipulated by the MOU (the 5th clause), the fee will expire when the mortgage is paid in full or after the 35 year amortization period, whichever comes first. If this were to happen, then it is likely that the mortgage would be paid off sooner, leading to a sooner expiration of the fee.
If we include a fee of $500, what will the total cost of attending Sauder be on a yearly basis? (Tuition & Student fees, no books)
Assuming 30 credits (10 courses)
Tuition: $6570
Student Fees (AMS & CUS): $711.97 AMS + $766 CUS = $1478
Total: $8048
What are tuition fees at comparable universities and where do THEY rank in the world (assuming they have accreditation?
School |
Tuition |
Ranking |
Ivey (UWO) |
$20,265 |
49 |
Rotman (U of T) |
$11,319 |
45 |
Queens |
$11,225 |
Not ranked |
UBC |
$6570 |
82 |
SFU |
$6294 |
Not ranked |
U of A |
$5100 |
86 |
What was the series of events that lead to the decision to build a new building?
The vision for a world-class business school drove the decision for a new building. Also, accreditation bodies asked that we upgrade our facilities to the global standard if we’d like to continue being included in rankings.
Should this fee be opt-outable?
Opt-out fees generally exist for programs in which one can also opt-out of the benefits. Examples here at UBC include the AMS/GSS Health & Dental Plan, as well as the Student Legal Fund Society. A facility that all Sauder students benefit from (where the benefit cannot be opted out of) generally are not opt-outable.
Where is there a detailed breakdown of the budget for the building?
The budget is a public document, that has been posted on the my building website.
http://mybuilding.cusonline.ca/SUB-BG-09-12-03_8-5.pdf
What is the current progress on the building?
A) From a financial perspective? (i.e. what has been financed, who has financed it, where are there gaps in the money)
Building Project Cost
Phase 1 Capital Budget: $46 million
Phase 2 Capital Budget: $18 million
Total Phase 1 + Phase 2 $64 million
******************************************
FUNDING
Original fundraising goal $24 Million
Additional fundraising goal $12 Million
Would be Supported from BCom fee $20 Million
Would be Supported from Masters fees $5.6 Million
From UBC $2 Million
Classroom services contribution $0.25 Million
Small provincial grant $0.1 Million
TOTAL $63.95 Million
From a building perspective? (i.e. what is left to do in Phase I? What is going to be done in Phase II and when is it going to be completed?)
Phase I
This phase is complete. Among other things, it includes:
* The creation of a new facility for the Robert H. Lee Graduate School
* The Bruce R. Birmingham Commerce Undergraduate Centre featuring group and individual study spaces, classrooms, meeting rooms and breakout rooms for small-group work and interviews
* The Middlefield Group Lecture Theatre - a large-size, state-of-the-art lecture theatre with attached conference rooms
* The Jim Pattison Leadership Centre featuring two new lecture theatres, conference rooms and lounge spaces
* The new Hari B. Varshney Business Career Centre - located at the main entrance - emphasizes the crucial link between students and the business community
* Additional classrooms and spaces designed and equipped for distance learning and videoconferencing
* The K.T. Tjia & Anna L.L. Chia Atrium that connects the old building with the new spaces
* A new cafe and store
* Creation of other open and flexible spaces for students to network, study and congregate in a comfortable environment
Phase II
The scope of this part of the project is:
* Major renovations and upgrades to Henry Angus classrooms with state-of-the art technology (classroom blocks on 2nd, 3rd, 4th floors)
* New Conference Centre at the top of HA Tower (for exclusive use of Sauder students, faculty and staff)
* New Learning Commons / David Lam Library
* Trading Room
* Student Break out rooms / case rooms
* Audio visual, security, code seismic and life safety upgrades
* Computer Lab improvements
* Renovations to David Lam and Henry Angus Tower
Do we have the building plans?
Yes, the building plans are available on the Sauder website, and a link to them has also been posted on the Sauder Building Referendum 2010 facebook page.
http://www.sauder.ubc.ca/About/Opening_Worlds_-_Sauder_School_of_Business_Building_Redevelopment_Campaign/Project_Overview/Floor_Plans
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sauder-Building-Referendum-2010/338444849239?v=wall&ref=ts
What kind of say will the student body have in the construction of the new building?
In light of the contribution that students will be making towards the project, a Sauder student will sit on the building review committee, which is the committee responsible for the direction of phase II. This student will voice and advocate for the ideas of the students to the committee.
Will there be a POITS room or a CG Lounge?
There will not be a POITS room in the new building. This is due to challenges with regard to insurance, which bind us from hosting such events within the facility. We are working diligently to provide an alternative location for this, in order to honour our commitment to students. There will however be an updated replacement for CG Lounge on the second floor of the building.
Where do I vote?
Students can vote on the Sauder website, after logging on with their authentic cwl password and user name combinations.
The elections officer (Niki Babic) and her team will be the only individuals with access to the polls, even though the system will be hosted on the Sauder website.
Links to voting will be posted on both posted on the mybuilding website, CUS website, as well as the Sauder Building Referendum 2010 facebook page.
