Layoffs Announced As Part Of FNUC Restructuring

Layoffs Announced As Part Of FNUC Restructuring

Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 13:12

 

 

Officials at the First Nations University of Canada have announced “extremely difficult” layoffs as part of the school’s restructuring.

 

Twenty-nine positions have been cut — 21 in Regina, two in Saskatoon, and six in Prince Albert. Another 17 vacant positions will not be filled.

 

As well, administration services will be centralized at the Regina campus — but no campuses will be lost.

 

The moves will result in $3 million in savings.

 

Interim President Dr. Shauneen Pete says the task of restructuring has been a “daunting” challenge.

 

Pete says 100 students will be affected and will be notified about changes to their programs.

 

She also says there is a buyer for the Saskatoon Campus.

 

The FNUC will remain the tenant for one year.

 

The University of Regina Faculty Association is calling the cuts a “tragic loss to the institution with direct repercussions to the quality of Aboriginal educational programming”.

 

It accuses the federal and provincial governments of prompting the restructuring by putting ongoing funding to the First Nations University in jeopardy.

 

The association says while it understands the difficult position the university has been put in, it says the FNUC limited the faculty’s involvement in the restructuring at the school.

 

Students’ association president Diane Adams says it’s sad that the university the students left in the spring won’t be the same one that they come back to in the fall.

 

Advanced Education Minister Rob Norris says his government had to step in and do something to provoke change at the school.

 

Norris also applauds FNUC officials for making difficult decisions that he says are necessary for renewal.

 

Reducing costs was part of a Memorandum of Understanding between the university, the University of Regina, the FSIN and the provincial and federal governments.