Universities and students brace for Alberta budget cuts

Some post-secondary institutions in Albertaare taking drastic measures in advance of potentialcuts that will be announced by the provincial governmenton March 7.

A $6 billion shortfallcoming from dwindling oil revenues, and arepeated vow from the premier not to raise taxes,means that many sectors that receive funding from the Alberta government are bracing for the impact of the budget announcement.

Post-secondary institutions in Alberta were promised an operating grant increase of two per cent,and some now expectthatpromise might go unfulfilled.

David Beharry, withMacEwan University, said the school has taken preemptive action by freezing hires for academic and non-academic staff.

"We announced yesterday a hiring freeze," he told CBC News Saturday.

"We aren't certain about the funding, so basically we are placing things on hold until we find out what the funding model will be."

Deb Hammacher, with the University of Alberta, said administrators therearen'tlaying out possible budget solutions if the cut is implemented, butare planning for every possibility.

"We remain hopeful. It's a time to make strategic decisions and make any adjustments more strategically rather than across the board," Hammacher said.

The uncertainty means that some cash-strapped studentsare concerned, and frustrated.

University of Alberta student Rosalyn Barr, 22, said sheis worried about the future of her education if the university gets less money than it was planning for.

"The fact that they mightcut programsis scary," she said.

"You'd have less programs, you'd have more competition and then you'd have people having to pay more."

While Barr is concerned for her own ability to continue her education, she said she also understands everyone may have to share in Alberta's financial burden.

"It's going toaffect various qualities of life for doctorsand nurses and teachers that kind of stuff. It'snot just the university. It's obviously affecting more than just one thing," she said.