Memorial University is taking action to address budgetary challenges caused by a drop in student enrolment.
The university called a surprise news conference for this afternoon following a Board meeting last night.
The university says enrollment dropped by 5.4 per cent this semester compared to last year, resulting in a projected $9.5-million shortfall as a result.
They state that both short and long-term changes will be necessary to ensure they can meet the needs of students in a financially sustainable manner.
At a Board of Regents meeting on Thursday night, several changes were approved.
One of the biggest changes will be a new limited hiring program. That program will restrict hiring new and vacant administrative permanent and contractual positions, tenured, tenure-track and new regular-term appointments on all campuses as well as instructors and research scientists at Marine Institute.
Certain contractual positions will be exempt from this program.
A process will be put in place to evaluate new position requests, and current job postings will be allowed to continue.
Other changes include restrictions to carry over funds, and further development of a new budget model.
The policy changes will be reviewed on April 30th, while changes to the budget model will begin next year.
President Dr. Neil Bose says tuition increases are not being considered to address the budget shortfall.
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Memorial University has called a Friday afternoon news conference to provide what it says is an update on MUN’s budgetary outlook and “immediate measures being implemented to address those challenges.”
A university spokesperson says the briefing was planned as a result of a board meeting Thursday night.
MUN saw a recent drop in international student enrolment of 14.5 per cent over last fall.
Policy changes made last year resulted in a 35 per cent reduction in the number of study permits issued, resulting in a drop in international student enrolment.
Memorial University, like many post-secondary institutions across the country, charges more for tuition for international students.
VOCM News has learned that a hiring freeze may be announced to address the deficit.
MUN President Neil Bose will address reporters just before 3:30 this afternoon and VOCM News will be there.
