Faculty at Memorial University say a number of contractual faculty positions in the Department of Mathematics are being cut next year. In concert with that, MUNFA says the university plans to double the size of first-year math classes to make up for the loss of seven of eight contractual positions.

MUNFA President Dr. Lisa Moores says the larger classes for critical high-demand courses could have a detrimental impact on the student experience.

Moores says the reductions reflect years of reduced public funding for Memorial. The association has made a pre-budget submission to government, but Moores says they are also asking for a meeting with them to outline their concerns and ideas.

“It’s a new government which means it’s a new opportunity, and they have to know that cuts and contraction come with real and serious costs,” says Moores. “We hope to have an opportunity to share and inform the decisions that come with this government’s first budget.”