The province’s education minister says no major surprises are in store in this week’s budget when it comes to Memorial University.

Tom Osborne and Finance Minister Siobhan Coady have called in the Auditor General to conduct a thorough review of operations and expenses at the university. The AG was given additional powers with an updated Auditor General Act in November.

Last year’s budget outlined plans to provide the university with greater autonomy.

Minister Osborne wouldn’t tip his hand as to what’s in store for the post-secondary institution in the budget coming down on Thursday.

All he would say is that there are no unexpected surprises for Memorial.

Minister Coady says calling the AG in to look at MUN’s operations is the responsible thing to do.

The Memorial University Act will be amended to provide the university with greater autonomy.

MUN's annual tuition offset will also be eliminated over five years. The province will expand access to needs-based grants for new undergrads impacted by tuition changes. pic.twitter.com/n24nLHyb6p

— VOCM News (@VOCMNEWS) May 31, 2021