The former head of the political science department at Memorial University says the situation at the University has become “untenable” in his parting message.

Russell Williams ended his time as Department Head with a series of tweets tackling the numerous budget cuts to the department.

Williams says the worst part of his job has been administering an “endless series of cuts” that have involved letting instructional staff go and making it more difficult for students to finish their programs.

I believe the province's approach to the University is shortsighted and these cuts are producing a very different Memorial from what has been. Its very sad, and the savings are either minimal or non-existent.

— Russell A. Williams (@RussAlanWill) March 6, 2020

Of the latest challenges, Williams says he was tasked last month to cut about 20 per cent of the department’s course offerings for the upcoming year. He adds that it involved laying off a number of people who make “next to nothing”—many of whom he calls well-known experts in the province, who gave their time to pass along their expertise.

Williams believes the series of cuts are producing a very different Memorial University, calling the province’s approach to the university “shortsighted.” He says the savings are often minimal or non-existent.

While he says there are still great things going on at Memorial University, “…when you get asked to make that kind of cut, it’s time to go.”

Williams declined further comment when asked by VOCM News.