Okanagan College passes 2020-2021 budget virtually

Okanagan College has passed a $126.8 million budget for the coming year, despite the challenging circumstances posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The board approved the budget on Tuesday, gathering virtually through an online meeting platform instead of meeting in person. 

Board president Jim Hamilton says OC intend to continue offering as many of its learning programs at all four major campuses, despite the changes they've had to make due to the pandemic. 

“The very nature of the meeting drove home the fact that circumstances are changing rapidly. We fully recognize the budget was passed as a starting place while the uncertainty associated with the pandemic resolves itself.

"We intend to continue to offer as many of those as possible."

The budget was pre-set before the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, and before colleges and universities throughout British Columbia cancelled classes or moved to online learning. 

OC vice-president of employee and corporate services Curtis Morcom says they will continue to monitor the situation going forward, and make necessary adjustments. 

“In the last three weeks things have changed dramatically and we cannot precisely forecast how these changed circumstances will affect our operations, especially revenue and expenses. There are uncertainties about how long the current situation will last and about what it will do to enrolments or costs. We have been and will be monitoring the impact on operations and will be adjusting expenditures accordingly.”