Quality Money

At many post-secondary institutions across the country students and faculty have little say in how finances are invested in academic programs and campus life in general. At the University of Calgary (UofC), thanks to your Students’ Union (SU), students and other members of the campus community have access to a resource that allows them to create and implement projects and initiatives identified as priorities for students. This resource is Quality Money.

Quality Money is a unique partnership between your SU and the UofC. Each year the SU is provided with approximately $1.5 million from the UofC Board of Governors to invest in projects that will enhance the overall student experience. Most unique to the program is project ideas come from students and other members of the campus community.

The SU invites Quality Money proposals each fall semester from students, faculty and other members of the campus community. The major stipulation of these proposals is that the project or initiative must contribute to enhancing the overall student experience.

Past Quality Money projects have included funding for physical space changes to create needed meeting space, study space and lockers. It has enhanced sustainability by supporting the SU Sustainability Board Fund and bicycle transportation-related projects. It has increased academic opportunities through book loan and bursary programs, enhanced university library resources and new library spaces, and provided much-needed computer and laboratory equipment. Quality Money has funded the Teaching and Learning Centre to assist with teacher preparedness and course redesigns.

The program has contributed to the well-being, health, fitness and safety of the campus community by supporting Safewalk, fitness programs, Healthy U of C and the establishment of the SU Wellness Centre.  It has supported career education and development programs, co-curricular programs and summer employment programs that enable students to work in education-related fields.  Quality Money funding has recognized leadership through scholarship program support and international experience grants and programs that promote Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal student interactions.

History

An original proposal from your SU, Quality Money funding was first secured from the University Board of Governors (BOG) by your SU in 2003 as part of the annual ‘tuition consultation’. The first quality money allocation totaled $800,000. However, the money was not allocated until 2004.

Since 2004, the Quality Money initiative has grown both financially and in scope. In 2005, due to the previous year’s success of the program, funding allocation increased to $1,377,601.56. Since then, annual funding allocation from BOG has been, on average, approximately $1.4 - $1.6 million. Since 2004, approximately $8,434,000 has been awarded to Quality Money initiatives. For 2011/2012 approximately $1,657,303 was provided for Quality Money projects to be implemented in the 2012-13 academic year.

Working in Partnership

Quality Money is an excellent example of collaboration between your SU, the university and the student body. The Quality Money proposal process allows the SU to determine where students feel money should be invested on campus. Furthermore, thanks to feedback and proposals received through Quality Money the SU is better able to inform the university about the priorities and concerns of students.

Submitting a Proposal

Every fall student organizations, faculties and individuals are invited to submit a proposal for Quality Money.  To gain a better understanding of the types of projects likely to be approved you can visit our Quality Money Allocations Archives which lists approved projects by year.

More information on how to submit a proposal for consideration for Quality Money will be available in September 2012.

Approval Process

Your  SU uses feedback from students in determining where to invest Quality Money each year. Your SU, through its Quality Money Committee, reviews proposals and approves a certain number for funding based on the overall benefits proposed projects will provide in enhancing the academic experience for students. Projects that have been approved are usually announced in the spring.

Contact Information

If you have questions about Quality Money or the submission process you can contact any of your SU Executive or Faculty Representative.