Reducing Memorial’s spending by $20 million a year was never going to be achieved through a single decision. This announcement is one step in a broader, phased approach to improving the university’s financial sustainability. It builds on our recent announcement about executive restructuring, as well as cost reduction measures introduced in July. This includes spending cuts across all units; identifying job redundancies; the merging or closing of some units and hiring restrictions.   

Next, we will be working through the implications of this decision with care and continuing the work on our new budget model, modernizing some of our systems and processes, and launching our strategic planning process. 

Contraction is part of the work ahead. But cuts alone don’t build a future – they shrink the present. If all we did was reduce, we’d end up with a smaller version of the same challenges. Evolve is here because any cuts we do make need direction and purpose. If we avoid making these decisions, the cuts get made to us instead of by us. We’re choosing a different path: Focused, honest, strategic transformation designed to ensure we don’t just survive, we become stronger. 

Because we are showing the work, action, data and results. Trust is earned, not declared. Evolve is a framework for fostering engagement, creating a safe space for difficult conversations and a vehicle for clear communication about tough choices. And if something isn’t clear? Ask. We can’t promise perfection, but we can have a conversation.  

The determination is guided by Memorial’s strategic priorities and financial realities. Core areas are those most directly tied to academic quality, student experience, and research intensity. This process involves input from university leadership. 

There are no immediate job losses in our province associated with this announcement. Staff at Harlow have been notified their positions will end when Harlow closes in August and supports are being provided to them.   

At the Johnson Geo Centre, we hope to transition ownership so that the centre can continue operating as an exceptional museum and science centre. 

Universities evolve over time. Buildings are often acquired during periods of growth or changing academic, social or economic priorities. As those conditions shift, including enrolment patterns, program needs and funding realities, responsible stewardship means reassessing whether an asset still aligns with the university’s mission and capacity. What made sense historically may no longer be the right fit today. 

Collectively, selling these assets is expected to save Memorial $3 million in annual operating costs. We also anticipate a decrease in the university’s deferred maintenance liabilities. 

The potential revenue from the sale of each property has not yet been determined and was not the driving force behind this decision.  Work is now underway to determine the best process for divestment.  

Academic quality, student experience and financial sustainability are our primary focus. Because there is some academic programming that occurs at Harlow Campus, it was important for the academic community to have opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback. The other facilities do not offer academic programming in the same way.   Nonetheless, there were conversations with specific groups in relation to each of the other properties.   

As Memorial works to reduce spending across all areas of the institution, every dollar spent is being critically assessed to ensure sustainability and alignment with our academic mission.  

If this process leads to contemplation of other areas of the university, it will be approached with transparency and a commitment to minimizing impacts on people and programs. 

No, this decision was not directed bygovernment. It was made by Memorial’s Board of Regents, based on the university’s financial realities and our responsibility to manage public and student dollars appropriately.

The challenges we are facing – decreasing enrolment, decreasing revenue, increasing costs, aging infrastructure, changing labour market needs and a world increasingly defined by disruption – are being experienced across our sector. Universities across Canada are facing very similar issues.

Students have assurance of being able to stay until Aug. 31, 2026 or until building is sold thereafter. All students will be required to move out on or before until April 30, 2027. All students have been contacted directly and assured that the campus is not closing immediately, and there are no immediate changes to their housing. If they choose to move before the building closes, or when the time ultimately comes to relocate, we will help them find alternate accommodations on the St. John’s campus where there is capacity. They will receive regular updates as these processes move forward. 

Supporting students is core to our mission. The change is where housing is provided, not whether it’s provided. Students will be kept informed as the process unfolds and support will be available to help them to them find alternative accommodations on the St. John’s campus, where there is capacity.     

Events booked at the Johnson Geo Centre between Jan. 30 – Dec. 23, 2026, will proceed as scheduled. Events booked at the Johnson Geo Centre after Dec. 23, 2026 will be cancelled and full refunds issued. All event organizers who are impacted by this are being contacted directly. Events booked at the Emera Innovation Exchange between Jan. 30 – Aug. 31, 2026, will proceed as scheduled.  

We anticipate events booked at the Emera Innovation Exchange between Sept. 1, 2026 – April 30, 2027 can continue as planned. However, in the event the building is sold or operations cease before April 30, 2026, event organizers will be contacted with as much notice as possible. 

For more information, contact Conference and Event Services. 

Multiple initiatives to revitalize interest have yielded limited success and there are some decisions that need to be made now to avoid future budget shortfalls for the university.  

Overwhelmingly, we heard that Harlow is a transformational learning experience for those who get to experience it, and we recognize that there are real feelings of grief associated with this decision. However, enrolment has declined significantly below capacity for the past decade and even at full capacity (153 students per year, less than one per cent of our student population), it is no longer sustainable. 

Memorial remains firmly committed to international experiences for students. Students have access to global learning through partnerships with 180+ universities in over 50 countries. To help mitigate barriers to access, we will be reinvesting any net proceeds from the sale of the property to make global learning opportunities more affordable for students from Newfoundland and Labrador. 

The theatre program is unchanged by the decision over Harlow Campus. Theatre students will be able to proceed through their program as planned and have the opportunity to take part in teaching and learning activities about theatre in London. Academic leaders have identified alternative accommodation in London to ensure that students have secure spaces to stay with high quality facilities. 

Students in the visual arts program who are taking art history electives will be travelling to Harlow as planned in summer 2026. After that, visual arts elective courses will go to the U.K. but will stay at student accommodation that is currently being organized in partnership with other organizations in London. 

If you have specific questions about the Fine Arts program, please contact Dr. Peter Ride, dean, School of Fine Arts at pride@mun.ca.  

While we value the good work of the Geo Centre, both culturally and educationally, the university is not the appropriate home for the Geo Centre due to lack of alignment with our academic mission. Our hope is that a new owner can be found and the centre will continue to be the wonderful public educational centre that it always has been. 

Yes. The university holds a registered deed for a 99-year Crown lease. The intention with divesting this property is to transfer it to a new owner/operator that will continue it  

Vice-presidents are executives with ultimate responsibility for the areas within their portfolio. They are eligible for executive-level compensation. Deputy provosts are academic administrators; they are paid on the professor salary scale, with additional compensation that reflects the responsibilities of their role. 

Deputy Provosts are the most senior leaders on the provost’s team. Specifically (and unlike vice-provosts or associate vice-presidents), Deputy Provosts act for the provost in their absence, and have designated seats on the President’s Executive Committee.  They have broad authority over a prescribed space within the academic division.    

The work done by the office of EDI-AR, and the work to support Indigenous members of our community, is exceptional and will continue unabated.  There has been no diminution in funding or resources for either area.   

The Special Advisor to the President on Indigenous Affairs report directly to the president, ensuring the priorities of Indigenous students, scholars and community members at Memorial are firmly anchored within the President’s Office. The work administered by the Office of Indigenous Affairs, including the resources and funding that support it, remain unchanged. 

The Office of EDI-AR is reporting on an interim basis into Dr. Amy Warren while work is underway to determine the optimal organizational structure, reporting and mandate to ensure that EDI-AR and human rights are resourced for long-term success.  See Jan. 8 Gazette update for more information. President Morrison has committed to an update in March 2026.