MONTREAL – McGill University released details on Tuesday of how it will handle deep budget cuts forced upon it by a Quebec government plan to slash the province’s university budgets by $124 million this fiscal year and its decision to cancel university fee increases.
McGills share of the cuts this year is $19.1 million. Another $19.1 million will have to be cut next year.
Salary freezes, a voluntary retirement program for administrative and support staff over 60, budget reductions and potential layoffs were outlined in a letter Principal Heather Munroe-Blum sent to faculty and staff.
Salaries and benefits make up more than 75 per cent of the university’s operating budget, the letter says. To reduce the impact on job loses, the university will reduce salary costs through attrition and wage freezes.
In an effort to trim $43 million from its budget, the university will implement a 3 per cent salary cut and salary freeze for all senior administration staff starting May 1.
As well, the operating budgets of the Vice-Principals’ portfolios and the Offices of the Principal and Provost will be reduced by between 7 and 9 per cent.
There will be a hiring freeze for administrative and support staff effective April 2.
Another $7.5 million in non-salary related costs-savings will be implemented.
Other cost-cutting measures, including layoffs, are likely to be required in a second phase of cuts, Munroe-Blum warned.
“We are doing what we can to minimize the impact on people by taking this two step approach, in which we implement the less drastic measure first and assess the savings,” the letter says.
Munroe-Blum acknowledged that the months ahead will be difficult for the university.
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