Administration still to review Homecoming costs
The total cost of this year’s Homecoming celebrations could end up costing close to $300,000, according to figures released by the Kingston Police in an article by the Kingston Whig-Standard on Thursday.
The numbers were released in a 35-page presentation made by Acting Deputy Chief Brian Cookman last week, which outlined the allocation of expenses resulting from the weekend of September 26 to 27.
Cookman said this year’s Homecoming costs total $296,000.
The number is still subject to change though, as Kingston Police are still waiting to hear from the Ontario Provincial Police regarding whether or not they will charge for their services.
This is compared to the $231,000 the festivities cost Kingston Police last year.
The expenses incurred this year include $137,000 towards Kingston police staffing costs and $60,000 on logistics and accommodation. This is in addition to the cost of outsourced police services hired as reinforcement for the two-day event.
Toronto Police charged Kingston Police $93,000 for its use of 80 officers and video surveillance team.
Other agencies have sent Kingston Police bills totalling $6,000.
Kingston Police also borrowed officers from Belleville, Brockville and Cornwall to patrol the streets.
Last year, Queen’s paid for $175,000 of the total Homecoming bill. Principal Tom Williams said he has yet to receive any notification from Kingston Police regarding the University’s financial contribution toward this year’s event.
“We haven’t gotten anything formally from the police. The only information I have is what I’ve read in the Whig-Standard.”
Williams said a decision hasn’t been made regarding the status of Queen’s monetary commitment to the cost of Homecoming in the future.
“No, we haven’t come to a decision yet. That’s part of the review which will be released at the end of November.”
—Emily Davies
Former principal returns to Queen’s as fellow
Former principal Karen Hitchcock is making her return to Queen’s as a fellow for the Centre for the Study of Democracy (CSD).
Hitchcock, and Queen’s associate professor of pathology and community health and epidemiology Dick Zoultman. are the two latest additions to the list of notable dignitaries acting as Fellows for the CSD.
The three year, unpaid position is appointed by CSD Chairman Tom Axworthy.
“The CSD has made higher education a research priority. Like all CSD studies this work draws comparisons between Canada and the United States and other countries,” Axworthy said in a press release issued on Friday. “Dr. Hitchcock’s academic and university administration experiences in both Canada and the United States, and New York State in particular, will be a valuable resource to the CSD.”
Hitchcock resigned from her position as University principal and vice-chancellor in April, one she had held since 2004. Prior to being at Queen’s, Hitchcock served as president of the State University of New York at Albany from 1996 to 2004.
A specialist in the field of cell and developmental biology, Hitchcock also served as president of the American Association of Anatomists from 1990 to 1991.
Arthur Milnes, a fellow specializing in Canadian history and journalism, said those in the position are hired based on their particular field.
“A fellow is a person the institute draws upon in their particular expertise,” he said.
Milnes said he feels Hitchcock’s experience will serve her well as CSD fellow.
“She’s the perfect person for the job. She has the experience in the highest level at universities on both sides of the border.”
—Emily Davies
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