Mount Royal University finalizes cuts, approves student fee

Mount Royal University(MRU)has officially approved program suspensions and a student services fee in response to Alberta's funding cuts to post-secondary institutions.

The board of governors approved the 2013-2014 budget on Monday night, absorbing a $6.5 million cut to its provincial operating grant.

"This has been a difficult process and one that has resulted in changes that will be felt across all aspects of our campus and in the broader community," saidMountRoyalpresident David Docherty in a release.

"In making these decisions,MountRoyaltried to minimize the impact on the student experience."

Studentswill have topay a student services fee this fall,which the school sayswillraise $2.2 million in annual revenues.

Therewill also be a series ofcuts:

• The suspension of eight academic programs.
• $3 million cuts to administrative support.
• Freezing executive salaries.
• Offering staff voluntary "furlough days" and reducing benefits coverage.
• Eliminating 63 full-time jobs, of which 29 were already vacant.
• $4.5 million in reduced institutional costs, such as amortization savings.

The school said it is also generating revenue by increased activity in residence services andrecreation, andthrough expanded programming at the Conservatory and in Continuing Education.

MRUofficials had been expecting a two per cent increase to the universitys operating grant this year before the provincial budget came down in March.

Insteadthe universityfoundit had to plug a $14-million hole because of an existing operating deficit and a 7.3 per cent cut to itsprovincial post-secondary operatinggrant.

Thefunding problemsprompted protestson campus last month.

MRU spokesperson Paula Arab says the finalized budget will now go to Advanced Education Minister Thomas Lukaszuk for approval.