MUN student representatives call for tuition freeze and 'a break'
Memorial University's board of regents expected to vote on 2025-26 budget Wednesday
Memorial University student representatives are once again calling on the board of regents to pause tuition increases, as the provincial government hits pause on its reduction of the tuition offset grant.
A handful of university students, and staff from the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS), showed up at MUN's Signal Hill campus on Wednesday to have their message heard.
Longtime student activist and current chairperson for CFS Newfoundland and Labrador, Nicolas Keough, wants the board to include a tuition freeze in its 2025-26 university budget.
MUN has been implementing a four per cent increase to tuition rates every year since 2022, which ended a previous 22-year freeze.
"We need to see it this week, and we need to see some relief to students who are really struggling under the current cost of living and housing crisis," Keough told reporters.
This year's provincial budget included $312 million for the university's core operating grant and $7.8 million for the campus renewal fee, which will save full-time students $500 a year.
Further, $13.7 million is tabled to support the university's budget, $4.7 million for the Faculty of Nursing's satellite sites and $2 million for the Doctor of Psychology program.
The demand comes just months before Janet Morrison is scheduled to begin her new role as the university's new president.
Morrison cut dozens of programs in her previous post as the president of Sheridan College in Ontario.
Despite that, Keough is optimistic.
"I think the president has made it clear that she wants to meet with the students, that she wants to have a good relationship with the students," he said.
Outgoing president Jennifer Lokash posted a budget update to the MUN Gazette on April 23, which says the university anticipates the reductions to continue for the next two fiscal years.
"Given this is a one-year pause, rather than a forgiveness, care must be taken to invest the money in pressing priorities that will help Memorial become more sustainable," Lokash wrote.
CFS staffer Ashlinn Pennell said MUN needs to "make the right decision" in light of the relief.
She said the cost of tuition is detrimental to both domestic and international students.
"We need to be giving young people here opportunities, and that starts with giving them a break," said Pennell.
A written statement sent to CBC News by Memorial University said the institution isn't required to use the money any certain way.
"The provincial government provided direct investment to address student affordability through the funding of the Campus Renewal Fee," wrote spokesperson Chad Pelley.
"The pause in the reduction of the tuition offset grant did not include directives on how the money should be spent."
In a later statement, Pelley wrote that MUN is facing the same budget problems as other universities across the country. That's coupled with lower enrolment and increased inflationary pressure, Pelley continued.
"University leaders, including the board of regents, must determine the best path forward to ensure financial sustainability and protection of the university mission, including priority on the student experience and academic quality. The board is considering the request from students within the context of the overall university budget," the statement reads.
"The tuition offset grant from government has been, and continues to be, an investment that funds the university's core operations, including teaching and learning, student services and the overall supports required to ensure the academic mission of the university is maintained."
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With files from Mark Quinn