Student Advocates Fume as MUN Diverts Tuition Reduction Funds
Memorial University has announced that it plans to keep raising tuition fees even though budget reductions have been temporarily halted. This decision, according to two student representatives, demonstrates an ongoing absence of fiscal accountability.
Rana Abuidris, who serves as the executive director of campaigns for MUN’s student union, states that this choice is made amid significant financial stress faced by students.
Many students are missing meals. As Abuidris shared with CBC Radio, these students are juggling three jobs just to cover their tuition fees at present.
On the Go
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On Tuesday, President Jennifer Lokash posted an update on Memorial’s Gazette regarding aspects of the 2025-26 budget that was ratified by the Board of Regents. The budget encompasses a temporary halt to a tuition reduction grant provided to the institution by the provincial government, amounting to $13.68 million.
Since 2022, the province has reduced the annual funding each year, dropping from $68.4 million, which was intended to maintain frozen tuition fees at the institution.
Approximately $14 million less funding each year resulted in the termination of the tuition freeze. This caused costs to surge from $2,550 to $6,000 annually for Canadian students and escalated to $20,000 yearly for international students, coupled with a consistent 4% rise every year up to 2026.
Lokash stated that the $13.68 million intended for reducing tuition fees was redirected towards “propelling Memorial University’s evolution into a more student-focused, sustainable, and efficient entity.”
The school plans to allocate $3.9 million for hiring additional teachers, with the remaining funds going towards boosting initiatives aimed at recruiting and retaining students, transforming business operations, implementing crucial technological upgrades, and various other areas as noted by Lokash.
Nicholas Keough, who chairs the Canadian Federation of Students in Newfoundland and Labrador, expressed his hope that the funds would be utilized as originally intended.
He stated that the funds provided to cover tuition costs should indeed be directed towards that purpose.
This isn’t ‘The money had to come from somewhere.’… That’s precisely why we have an operating grant.
The Education Minister believes tuition fees ought to be kept at a minimum level.
Keough and Abuidris both think that there was partial backing from the board of regents to expedite the freeze, yet it wasn’t sufficient.
This is yet another instance of fiscal mismanagement at the university, as Abuidris pointed out, with a particular emphasis on one such incident.
harsh critique from the auditor general
In January, it highlighted decades of ignored infrastructure needs and budget overruns.
This presented an occasion for MUN to restore its connection with the provincial government and regain their trust. Once more, however, Memorial has demonstrated that they can’t be relied upon when it comes to finances—students’ funds specifically. It’s evident that students aren’t their top priority,” stated Abuidris.
When questioned regarding the choice on Tuesday evening, Education Minister Bernard Davis stated that MUN is an independent entity capable of utilizing its funds as it sees fit, regardless of their source.
The province backs the school, which is Newfoundland and Labrador’s sole university, with over $400 million, making up approximately 70 percent of the institution’s overall operating grant.
Davis acknowledged though that he understands the financial difficulties faced by students and finds tuition fees particularly tough.
“I consistently aimed to keep tuition as low as possible for our students,” Davis stated.
The choice regarding tuition fees rests with the university and its administrative body. They receive strong backing from us. We have examined several of the financial pressures… and provided additional funds. However, as I’ve stated numerous times, it’s ultimately up to the university to decide how and where this funding is utilized.