Provincial budget impacts all areas of CNA
5/6/2004 1:36:25 PM
May 6, 2004 – College of the North Atlantic has laid-off 34 employees throughout the province in order to address a $2 million reduction in its operating grant from the provincial government and provide a balanced budget for the current fiscal year as required under legislation.
Through extensive consultations with its managers, Board of Governors, and the Department of Education, the college executive was able to produce a balanced budget for the current fiscal year, largely through reductions in expenditures, considerations of increased revenues, the elimination of positions – which includes instructors, support staff and managers – and the cancellation or suspension of low-enrollment programs.
Faculty layoffs are as a result of programs that are being suspended for the coming academic year due to low interest and low enrollments by students. The removal of these programs from the college’s program plan is part of the regular annual process of program review, which ensures college offerings remain relevant and responsive to the ever-changing needs of students and industry.
Most other reductions are solely for the purpose of balancing the budget.
“This is a difficult and painful undertaking,” says College President Pamela Walsh. “However, in making these reductions we tried very hard to minimize the effects on our employees, our current and prospective students, and the areas of the province we serve.
“We have been strategic with our reduction plan – taking a systematic, comprehensive approach to ensure, despite these reductions, the college will remain poised and well positioned for future growth and strategic development. We will continue to meet our mandate of serving the educational and skills training needs of the residents and industries in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
The college takes these measures within the context of an increasingly challenging operating environment that includes frozen tuition, decreases in government funding, and increasing expenses.
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For more information contact:
Stephen Lee
Communications Manager
(709) 643-7929