SASKATOON – A state of the university address touched on both positive and negative issues, but for many, the glaring issue remains the University of Saskatchewan’s projected operating budget deficit of $44.5 million.
U of S President Ilene Busch-Vishniac says both undergrad and graduate enrolment is up, 7 and 30 per cent respectively, over the past five years and the university is still ‘rich in land holdings.’
But with 150 layoffs announced and more likely on the way, some staff members say fear and paranoia have become a part of their daily lives.
During the question and answer period yesterday, Associate Professor of Anthropology Satya Sharma asked why the layoff process has been ‘unnecessarily painful.’
“I think there is a lot of a sense of fear, not just within my college, but around the campus,” said Sharma.
He also asked why layoffs couldn’t have waited until the university’s new restructuring plan – TransformUS – completes its first report in November.
“The reason we need to trim our workforce now, is because every dollar we save now, means fewer programs we have to trim permanently when TransformUS is finished,” said Busch-Vishniac.
On the issue of senior executives pay not being cut, including Busch-Vishniac’s estimated $400,000 salary, she said it’s the executive board’s decision, not hers.
“I will not address that issue, we’ve asked no one on campus to reduce their salary,” said Busch-Vishniac.
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