Latest news with #WendyRodgers
CTV News
28-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
UPEI approves budget and tuition increases for 2025-26 academic year
The Board of Governors at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) approved an operating budget that increased by more than $20 million over the previous fiscal year, said a news release from the university. The board announced a 2025-26 operating budget just under $202.9 million – an increase of 11.2 per cent – on Tuesday, despite financial challenges caused by changes to federal immigration policy, said the release. 'We are at a particular time in the history of the University where, in addition to the typical budget pressures like inflation, we are being challenged by federal immigration policies, which have negatively affected universities across the country,' said Dr. Wendy Rodgers, UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor. UPEI said it has been significantly impacted by caps on international students implemented by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2024. International enrolment of first-year students has declined by approximately 50 per cent and is projected to decline further in 2025-26, said the release. The university said it focused on short and long-term strategies including a 3.5 per cent increase to the province's core operating grant and tuition increases to address the loss of revenue without restrictions or reductions. Tuition for domestic students will increase by 6.5 per cent for the 2025-26 academic year but the university still has the lowest fees in the region, said the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission. Domestic students will pay $46 dollars more per 3-semester-hour credit course or $460 for a full-time student with a full courseload under the new budget. Tuition for international students will increase by 7.5 per cent, or $630 for full-time, undergraduate students. A portion of fees will fund and emergency bursary for international students. 'Through budget strategies developed collaboratively and transparently with University leaders, and with support from the Government of Prince Edward Island, we have achieved a balanced budget for 2025–2026,' said Vice-President Tim Walker. For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
Business Mayor
30-04-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
Arizona House Passes Bitcoin Reserve Bill, Now Goes To Governor's Desk For Final Signature
Arizona has taken yet another huge step toward potentially adopting Bitcoin. The state legislature has officially passed two bills that would see Arizona hold Bitcoin as part of its treasury reserves. In a vote of 31-25, Senate Bill (SB) 1025, sponsored by Senator Wendy Rodgers, passed alongside SB 1373, sponsored by Senator Mark Finchem, in a vote of 37-19. Both bills seek to create a strategic reserve of Bitcoin for the state of Arizona. The resolution directs the state to study the potential impacts and logistics of adding BTC to its financial holdings, which would make Arizona the first state to officially add Bitcoin as a treasury asset. Helping lead the idea is Republican State Senator Wendy Rogers, who has been a consistent voice for Bitcoin adoption at the state level. According to CNBC, Rogers dismissed concerns about instability and expressed her belief in Bitcoin's long term value stating, 'I do not have any concerns about the volatility of bitcoin simply because if you zoom out on all of the charts, it always increases in value.' She stated further, calling Bitcoin a 'hedge against inflation,' reflecting the growing popularity among politicians about Bitcoin's important role in today's challenging economic environment, and a statement backed by other Republicans such as Donald Trump Jr. This isn't the first time Rogers has proposed Bitcoin friendly legislation. In 2022, she introduced SB 1341, which would have allowed Bitcoin to be used as legal tender in Arizona. Unfortunately, this was never brought to vote. In 2023, she introduced SB 1239, which would have allowed Arizona's government to accept Bitcoin as payment for municipal payments from citizens. This bill passed the senate with a 16-13 vote, but failed in the House Ways and Means Committee with a 4–5 vote, stopping its progress. Her legislative history shows a consistent effort to make Arizona a pro crypto state. With inflation still a major concern, her latest effort may be landing at just the right moment. Read More Bitcoin firm Blockstream secures $210m to drive layer-2 growth While the result of this does not yet authorize the purchase of Bitcoin, it lays the foundation for it happening in the near future. If signed into law by the Governor, Arizona would become the first U.S. state to formally put Bitcoin into its treasury, and potentially set off a wave of similar moves across the country. READ SOURCE
CBC
11-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
Holland College suspends 8 programs, citing drop in revenue caused by foreign student caps
Social Sharing Prince Edward Island's biggest community college is phasing out eight programs for the coming school year because of a drop in revenue from "a sharp decrease in the college's international student enrolment." Charlottetown-based Holland College says three other programs are being downsized because enrolment numbers have dropped. Those programs were not named in a statement issued late Friday afternoon. "While we regret having to take this unprecedented step, we must respond to these new realities to maintain the integrity and viability of our programs and ensure our long-term financial sustainability," Holland College president and CEO Sandy MacDonald was quoted as staying Students already on Prince Edward Island and enrolled in the eight programs being dropped will be able to finish their second year, but no new students will be accepted for September, the college said. The eight affected programs are: Project Management Post Graduate Certificate. Hotel and Restaurant Operations Management. Tourism, Travel, and Event Management. Marketing and Advertising Management. Electronics Engineering Technology. Energy Systems Engineering Technology. Architectural Technology. Legal Administration. Dealing with uncertainty as changes loom for P.E.I.'s international student population 1 year ago Duration 2:40 Post-secondary schools on Prince Edward Island are answering as many questions as they can for international students trying to understand recent federal changes meant to cap numbers. They're also working with the province to deal with the new limits. The cuts will affect 35 staff members, the college said, adding: "Those who are affected have been notified, and the college is working to ensure that they are supported as they transition." The college estimates that it's facing an 83 per cent decrease in its foreign student enrolment because of two federal moves in 2024 design to decrease pressure on Canada's housing markets. The result for Holland College is "$7 million in lost tuition and fees annually," the statement said. The first federal measure was a cap on the number of study permits that can be issued overall in Canada, with each post-secondary institution allowed to offer only so many admission letters. As well, Holland College said, "in order to be eligible for a post-graduation work permit, students must have graduated from a program that has been deemed to be in a field where there is a labour force shortage. UPEI president on what the new international student caps mean for the university 7 months ago Duration 6:51 UPEI president Wendy Rodgers says universities across Canada will have to readjust budgets and rethink enrolment numbers as Ottawa cuts back on the number of international students coming to Canada. As for UPEI, Rodgers tells CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin that there are no cuts coming to programs in the short term, but the school does need to look at its recruitment and retention plans for the future. "Fewer than half of Holland College's programs have been deemed to be an acceptable field of study by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and programs that are not approved are less attractive to international students," the statement said. "Although domestic enrolment may increase slightly, the increase cannot cover the losses the college will suffer because of IRCC's policy changes." Holland College said it was talking with the provincial government about its funding model after receiving extra money from that source last year, but would also need to take action on other fronts to reduce costs. "These measures include a reduction in program staffing and administrative positions and attrition through retirements and vacant positions. We are also engaged in energy-saving measures across our campuses to reduce utilities expenses, vendor contract negotiations to secure better rates and terms, and streamlining administrative processes to improve efficiency and reduce redundancy."
