Building vibrancy and viability for the century ahead

Memorial is evolving – ensuring a viable and vibrant future that fuels a brighter, more economically, socially, culturally resilient and prosperous Newfoundland and Labrador.  

What is Memorial Evolve? 

Every generation faces a defining moment. This is ours. 

We are initiating Memorial Evolve - a university-wide journey to transform with transparency, purpose and courage. 

We've been preparing for this moment. Memorial Evolve provides a clear structure and coordinated approach: shared priorities, interconnected actions and one central hub to show how each decision connects to our larger transformation.   

Together, we’ll shape a future that strengthens our mission and serves our students.

A number of pressures and possibilities are converging 

 

Our most urgent pressures

Enrolment is declining

•  4.6% decrease in total enrolment year-over-year - Students shape the size and sustainability of our university. 

The financial gap is growing

• We must urgently achieve $26M in cost savings (including $20.85M in required reductions and ~$5M from lower tuition revenue) - Rising costs and shrinking revenue require us to contract responsibly to remain viable.  

Students are telling us there are barriers

• ~50% of entering student cohort graduate within 5 years at the undergraduate levels - Students need stronger supports, clearer pathways and a university built intuitively around their experience.

But this moment is not defined by constraint alone. It is defined by possibility. These forces are pushing universities to evolve: To become more focused, more student-centred and more financially resilient.