ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — The steady squeeze on Memorial University’s budget in the last number of years has plenty of people talking, and the conversation got louder this week after news spread that the university's political science department head is stepping down in response to more government cutbacks in academic programs.
“It’s been an interesting job,” Russell Williams posted Friday on his Twitter account. “I really enjoyed working with the students — they are the best and @MemorialPoliSci is full of really great scholars and teachers, but the situation at @MemorialU has become untenable.”
Williams turned down The Telegram’s request for an interview, but on Twitter, he said the university asked him to cut 20 per cent of the political science department’s course offerings next year, which would involve laying off many well-known experts.
I'd say more about what I learned as an academic administrator, there are still great things going on at Memorial, but my major piece of advice is that when you get asked to make that kind of cut, its time to go. Trying to put a band aid on that is pointless.
— Russell A. Williams (@RussAlanWill) March 6, 2020
“There are still great things going on at Memorial, but my major piece of advice is that when you get asked to make that kind of cut, it’s time to go,” he said on Twitter. “Trying to put a band-aid on that is pointless.”
He went on to question the provincial government’s priorities when it can dish out $10 million to bid for the 2025 Canada Summer Games, but not invest in MUN.
“I believe the province’s approach to the university is short-sighted and these cuts are producing a very different Memorial from what has been,” Williams said. “It’s very sad, and the savings are either minimal or non-existent.”
“(University is) an investment, we get the money back (unlike … ahem … some other investments governments can make).”
Scott Matthews, an associate professor in MUN’s political science department, said it’s concerning to have its faculty affected by government cutbacks.
While Williams will continue as an instructor and researcher, Matthews said the department head stepping down sends the message that MUN is feeling the pain.
“Our political science department is very strong in many ways. We have a great faculty, excellent students and I really love working here, but we don’t have the resources that we had when I arrived here seven or eight years ago and it’s a shame,” said Matthews, a member of the department’s executive committee.
The department has lost two full-time, permanent faculty members, along with administrative support staff, in the last number of years, he added.
“Cuts at MUN are very significant and not to be taken lightly," he said.
“Frankly, when it comes to the level of strong programs like ours being undermined, I think that may be the point where the cuts are going too far and we’re kind of in a critical situation. There are other solutions the province should be looking at.”
Noreen Golfman — who is stepping down next month as provost and vice-president (academic) — has been a vocal defender of the integrity of Memorial’s academic programs. While she opted not to talk Monday, last month she told The Telegram, “Cuts that are across the board only undermine and weaken this institution when they’re not carefully thought through.
“We have an obligation to the people of this province, to the delivering of a comprehensive university, to keep students here, to keep people studying and working here, especially now.”
Liam O’Neill, director of external affairs, communication and research for the MUN Students Union, agrees. A political science student, he said the cutbacks and reduction in services are indicative of what the university has seen the last number of years.
“It’s unfortunate, but I’m honestly surprised that we haven’t heard more of this sooner,” he said.
O’Neill says the government doesn’t fully realize the severe impact the cutbacks are having on the future of this province. Government spending on education is an investment in the future, he said, as it’s one of the few effective ways to keep people in the province.
“When you’re making cuts year after year after year, you’re not going to foster an institution that’s going to be able to solve your problems and educate people effectively." — Liam O'Neill
“(The situation) is not being viewed with a long-term lense. It’s being viewed with an are-we-catering-to-the-market lens and that’s a very short-term point-of-view,” O’Neill said.
“If you don’t have a university that’s comprehensive, that is going to keep people in the province, that is going to contribute to long-term solutions, then we’re going to continue along the same path of putting all our eggs in one basket with one resource project or another and we’re not going to have a diverse field of skill that will allow us to come out of all these situations we find ourselves in.
“When you’re making cuts year after year after year, you’re not going to foster an institution that’s going to be able to solve your problems and educate people effectively. Government needs to make the commitment.”
In an email statement to The Telegram from Christopher Mitchelmore Monday afternoon, minister of advanced education, skills and labour, said, the provincial government provides approximately 80 per cent of Memorial University’s general operating revenues, compared to the Canadian average of about 47 per cent.
“Our government’s commitment to affordable, accessible post-secondary education is strong,” he said.
He pointed out that given the province’s fiscal situation, all departments, agencies, boards and commissions have been asked to find savings. He couldn’t speak to specifics of any changes contemplated as part of the budget process, but added he is willing to discuss it further when the budget is delivered.
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