Athabasca University cutting 44 jobs

Athabasca University, which is located north of Edmonton,says it is laying off 44 people at theinstitutionbecause ofcuts in provincial funding.

The board of governors passed a budget Fridayfor the next fiscal year that also eliminates 34 vacant positions and will see an additional 35 employees leaving voluntarily through the university's Career Transition Program.

The province cut the university's operating grants by seven per cent in therecent provincial budget.

University officials say thecuttranslates to a revenue shortfall of roughly $3.7 millionandthat leaves the school withno choice but to cut jobs.

"We had counted, as had all the post-secondaries, on a two per cent increase in this year's operating grant as promised in last year's provincial budget," said Dr. Frits Pannekoek, president of Athabasca University.

"We were instead surprised with a deep cut and we have been left with no other choice than to eliminate positions."