Watch above: University of Saskatchewan acting president scraps cost-cutting program TransformUS
SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan will not go through with its cost cutting initiative TransformUS, according to its interim president.
The announcement was made on campus Tuesday by interim president Gordon Barnhart.
He said that the change will not just be “in name,” but a significant difference in how the university tackles it’s projected deficit. Instead, TransformUS will be replaced by a smaller set of priorities.
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“Any changes will be driven by mission, not just money,” said Barnhart during the announcement.
Eight priorities for action were set for this year, including an accelerated commitment to aboriginal achievement and the continued restructuring of the College of Medicine.
“University leadership tried to do too much in a time period that was too short,” said interim provost and vice-president academic Ernie Barber, on the past cost cutting process.
In 2012 the university identified a projected deficit of $44.5 million by 2016.
University officials say that over the last two years, the university has reduced that number by generating roughly $32 million through savings and revenue.
The university is still projecting a $3-million deficit for the 2014-15 academic year, which officials say is manageable.
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