The most immediate job losses at Memorial University as it divests some of its real estate will be at the Harlow Campus.
Yesterday, Memorial announced plans to sell off its U.K. campus, the Geo Centre, the Signal Hill campus, and the printing services building.
MUN President Dr. Janet Morrison says the seven employees at Harlow will be laid off at the end of August when that campus closes.
As for the Johnson Geo Centre, Morrison says they have 12 employees and discussions are ongoing.
She says it is their “hope, expectation” that the centre can continue, noting that it needs a different ownership and oversight model. She says “exceptional work” is done there, and she is hopeful that situation can be sorted out with their partners.
(VOCM News)
The sale or transfer of the Geo Centre must happen by the end of the year; if not, MUN will close it down.
Morrison doesn’t foresee any job losses relating to the Signal Hill Campus or the printing services building, as they will be relocated elsewhere on the St. John’s campus.
Premier Tony Wakeham at Premiers’ Meeting (via CPAC)
Meanwhile, Premier Tony Wakeham says the university is doing exactly what the Auditor General suggested, which is “getting its fiscal house in order.”
Bernard Davis speaking with reporters (VOCM News)
Liberal education critic Bernard Davis echoes those comments, saying this is why the AG was brought in.
He says he is “encouraged” that MUN has made some decisions. He is “disappointed” for those who will be impacted, but notes that MUN has indicated what the future holds for those services.
