Historical timeline

In planning for the future, it can be useful to look back and ask “how did we get here?” The chart and historical timeline provided here attempts to rewind the clock and identify some key decisions with significant financial impact that have occurred since 2003-04. These key decisions have been identified on the timeline along with an undergraduate and graduate student headcount, and a faculty, professional librarian and staff headcount. The chart begins in 2003-04, as it closely coincides with when the move to a comprehensive university was proposed and endorsed. An interesting observation is that the student to faculty and librarians, and the staff to faculty and librarians ratios have not changed substantially since 2003-04.

Note: The faculty and professional librarians headcount figures accumulated represent roster data (i.e. all employees holding a faculty position in the academic year). The staff headcount figures are from Office of People and Culture and represent headcount as of October each year.

Note: The figures were obtained from the audited financial statements of Brock University, which were prepared in accordance with the Canadian generally accepted accounting principles for not-for-profit organizations (2003-04 to 2010-11) and in accordance with Canadian accounting standards for not-for-profit organizations (2011-12 to 2021-22).

The following charts present two different ways of examining space at the University. Figure 37 details the space usage by category as of 2022, which was prepared for the Council of Ontario Universities’ Survey of Physical Facilities, as well as an updated estimate for 2023. Only 69 per cent of the University’s space is assignable to specific functions, while 31 per cent is non-assignable, meaning it relates to items such as utility plants, corridors and hallways. Figure 38 details the deferred maintenance backlog by asset type and compares this to the replacement value of those assets. This information was obtained from the condition assessment performed by VFA Inc. (through Council of Ontario Universities) in May 2022, which determined Brock has $315 million in deferred maintenance requirements that have accumulated over a number of years. In addition, the chart details the Facility Condition Index (FCI) (deferred maintenance divided by the current replacement value), which determines the relative condition of the asset. The lower the FCI, the better the condition of the asset. For example, MIWSFPA has a low FCI, while buildings with higher FCIs are generally older, such as the Schmon Tower and the Walker Complex. Brock’s overall FCI is 0.22, while our goal is to maintain a FCI of 0.18.

(1) The 2022 data was prepared for submission to the Council of Ontario Universities Triennial report that takes place every 3 years. The data is as of November 1, 2022. The estimate for 2023 was updated after the original submission and is included as an updated comparison to the 2022 data.

(2) NNASM includes items such as central utilities plants, corridors, stairwells, elevators, service tunnels and parking structures.

Source: VFA Asset List Report as of May 2022

(1) Facilities Condition Index (FCI): Represents deferred maintenance backlog divided by replacement value.

(2) Central Utilities Building: Mainly relates to the Cogeneration Facility and also includes Facilities Management offices.

(3) Infrastructure: Includes many of the non-building assets, such as parking lots, storm sewers and roadways.

(4) Main – other: All buildings on the main campus that are not specifically identified.