Provost acknowledges budget cuts in mass email

Projected deficit reduced to $48 million, no new faculty to be hired

Dr. Matthew Evans is Queen's newest provost.

Provost Matthew Evans acknowledged significant funding cuts across Queen’s University in a University-wide email yesterday.

Sent at 8:28 p.m. on Nov. 30, the email confirmed Queen’s isn’t hiring new faculty in addition to a support staff hiring freeze in attempt to mitigate financial constraints on the University’s operating budget. While Queen’s projected a $62.8 million deficit in June, the University has since reduced its projected deficit to $48 million with new measures put in place.

READ MORE: New policies risk education quality in Arts and Science

“It will take significant efforts from Faculties and Shared Service units to reduce costs and reach a balanced budget within the next two years,” Evans wrote in the email. “Immediate pressures require us to take immediate action, but we cannot remain solely focused on the short term.”

Last week, The Journal reported the Provost’s office is introducing policies to eliminate small course sections in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences over the next two years. Undergraduate courses must have a minimum of ten students and graduate students must have a minimum of five students enrolled to carry on.

Evans wrote that while the University is relying on its financial reserves to cover operating deficits this fiscal year. However, he warned the University reserves are rapidly depleting and there won’t be enough to cover another year of deficits at the current level.

Tags

Budget, deficit, hiring freeze, Provost

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