REGINA – Nine full-time employees have been laid off at the First Nations University of Canada to help make up for a $801,527 deficit.
Dr. Lynn Wells, Vice President Academic, said lower than expected enrollment in the 2014-2015 school year is to blame for the deficit.
“While our enrollments did continue to increase last year, it was a bit lower rate than what we had expected,” said Wells.
Last year, FNUniv only had an enrollment increase of five per cent, compared to 10 per cent in 2013/14 and 15 per cent in 2012/13.
The nine eliminated positions were at the Regina and the Prince Albert campuses in both academic and administrative areas. No one was laid off at the Saskatoon campuses.
“We did make cuts in every other area possible before turning to staff reductions,” said Wells.
The Regina campus is currently undergoing renovations with a goal of doubling the classroom capacity.
“The renovations we’ve been able to do on an extremely modest budget. In every way possible we’re using existing space. We’ve kept the actual construction to a minimum.”