NANAIMO — Sweeping changes are coming to Vancouver Island University in a bid to right the financial ship as part of a daunting deficit mitigation plan (DMP).
The post-secondary institution confirmed a number of program cuts, staffing changes and more restructuring following a Tuesday, June 3 meeting of the school’s Board of Governors.
A statement from acting VIU president Emily Huner said 10 programs will be phased out at VIU beginning in fall 2025, with another four being removed a year later.
“We want to be very clear: students currently enrolled in these programs will continue to receive the academic support needed to complete their studies and graduate. Where necessary, we will work directly with individual students to identify appropriate completion pathways.”
Included in the cuts are the Master of Community Planning program, Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media Studies and Graduate Diplomas in Project Management, Hospitality Management and International Trade.
September 2026 will see the phasing out of the Dental Assistant program, as well as three Graduate Diploma programs.
“Impacted current students will be contacted by their program directly with specific details and next steps,” Huner added.
A full list of impacted programs is available here.
The latest round of program cuts came after similar events in May 2024, which saw several music programs removed from the school.
In addition to phasing out of programs, several other cut-cutting measures were announced including closure of The High School, staffing reductions, a discontinuation of the university’s internal bus fleet services and wrapping up VIU’s partnership with Elder College.
Huner said the school saw an $8.3 million surplus for 2024/25, with a majority of the extra money stemming from one-time government grants and a property sale in Parksville.
Expenses rose $700,000 over what was initially forecast.
“This is not excess cash on hand, but a temporary financial position we are leveraging to support transition. We remain committed to the full implementation of the Deficit Mitigation Plan (DMP) by the end of fiscal 2025-26. While a fully balanced budget will take longer than anticipated, the steps we are taking now are laying the foundation for long-term fiscal health.”
VIU states it has now achieved 35 per cent, or $6.35 million, toward securing $18 million as part of the DMP process to obtain a balanced budget by March 2026.
Huner is wrapping up her acting role in the coming days, as the Board voted to appoint Dr. Dennis Johnson as Interim President.
Johnson will begin a term lasting up to two years on June 16.
“I know we are heading in the right direction and I look forward to seeing all that we will accomplish together in the months and years ahead,” Huner said.
B.C. government regulations stipulate public universities, such as VIU, cannot run deficit budgets.
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