Memorial University moved Friday to curb hiring professors, researchers and other staff to deal with a loss of more than $9.5 million in tuition fees. 

In a statement, university president Neil Bose said the Board of Regents on Thursday approved a “limited hiring program” that is aimed at vacant and new positions, including both permanent and contractual jobs. Bose said the hiring moves apply to all campuses, including the Marine Institute. 

Memorial, which operates a main campus in St. John’s, Grenfell Campus in Corner Brook, and Harlow Campus in the United Kingdom, said enrolment dropped 5.4 per cent for the fall semester, compared to fall 2023. 

“The current environment — changing federal restrictions for international student visas, reduction in Memorial’s tuition offset grant, increasing inflationary costs — has created a situation that requires decisive action to protect Memorial’s academic mission,” Bose said in a statement posted to the university’s website. 

Staff positions, including instructional assistants, lab demonstrators, and lab assistants and Marine Institute research and technical personnel are exempt from the limited hiring program, but that’s limited to contractual hires to address immediate needs versus permanent hiring.

The university is not allowed to carry a deficit because of Newfoundland and Labrador legislation. 

To keep in line with this policy, Memorial is restricting its the ability to carry over surpluses and deficits. They are also changing the budget model.

Historically, MUN has used an incremental budget model. Every budget was built on the previous year’s budget. This structure will change for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

MUN’s new budget model will analyze expenses and budget allocations based on the university’s needs, goals, and priorities rather than previous spending patterns.

The result, Bose says, will be a more focused, likely somewhat smaller, well-funded, culturally rich institution. 

Bose is scheduled to speak to reporters on Friday afternoon. 

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