Dr. Vianne Timmons

Earlier today the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador released the 2021 provincial budget, which included a base operating budget cut of $2.6 million to Memorial University. As well, for the first year since 2005, the government has not provided funding for the grant in lieu of tuition increases.

With the announcement that the $68.4 million tuition fee revenue offset will be phased out over the next five years and the end to the tuition freeze, the provincial government has signaled that Memorial should look at all sources of revenue and develop a tuition framework that reflects the cost of providing education.

We understand the challenging financial situation of the province and that we all, Memorial included, will have to do our part.

As we have for the last decade, we will work diligently to find efficiencies, be creative in how we can use our assets to generate revenue and remain committed to meeting the needs of Newfoundland and Labrador.

While the analysis of budget impacts is still ongoing, I can confirm that there will be no new changes to tuition for the 2021-22 academic year as a result of this budget.

The provincial budget comes just over a month after the Public Post-Secondary Education (PSE) Review and the Premier’s Economic Recovery Team report were issued.

The Public Post-Secondary Education Review had more than 50 recommendations related to Memorial. The Premier’s Economic Recovery Team Report had six recommendations that named Memorial specifically, with others that don’t explicitly mention our university but that would have operational impact – like increasing the harmonized sales tax (HST).

The two reports align in a number of important areas, including updating the Memorial University Act, increasing autonomy and updating our tuition model – areas that were also identified in today’s budget.

The PSE report recommended that we enhance supports for equity, diversity and inclusion, and Indigenization, and also increase our fundraising and development efforts. It also recommended that we look at the economic impact of Memorial. Work in all these areas is already underway and we expect to have updates to share later this summer.

There is still much to be done as we work our way through the recommendations of both reports, but I would like to commend Memorial’s employees who have focused on reducing spending and finding efficiencies in recent years. In light of this budget and possible future grant reductions we will have to continue this challenging but important work.

I know that every penny of spending is scrutinized, and has been for some time. This work has helped us achieve significant savings already. Of particular note is the 10 per cent reduction in the size of Memorial’s workforce in recent years. We will continue to look for efficiencies and consider how we can generate revenue. Now is the time for innovative, fresh ideas.

Our new strategic plan was approved by the Board of Regents in May, and it also calls for innovation and transformational change. At its core, the plan is about reimagining Memorial and the ways in which we can prepare students to positively contribute to Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and the wider world.

Right now at Memorial we are celebrating the students graduating this spring and it’s clear to see that Memorial’s newest alumni are already making an impact. Check out the Gazette for inspiring profiles from the class of 2021.

And later this week, on June 3, tune in for Hats Off!, a special event celebrating the class of 2021. In a lively virtual event, comedian and honorary grad Rick Mercer and musical duo Fortunate Ones will help us recognize and congratulate our graduates. Join us at 7 p.m., 6:30 p.m. in most of Labrador, on Facebook and livestreamed on mun.ca.