Cape Breton University votes against staff layoffs

Cape Breton University has decided against laying off faculty as it looks for new ways to make up a big budget shortfall.

The university's board of governors voted Monday to accept a planfor CBU that would boost revenue and increase enrolment.

Management had told the faculty association in January that layoffs were possible because of a $1.3 million budget shortfall.

The board met for more than five hours to debate the issue and make a decision.

Attracting 600 more international students

University President David Wheeler said the board accepted a new plan from management that will run deficits and avoidlayoffs.

"There were a number of commitments made to the board that they were excited by," he said.

"One is to significantly increase the number of our international students above and beyond where we are today. So perhaps by year 10, which is 2026, we might have as many as 1,500students here from around the world, which is 500 or 600 more than we have today."

He said they're also taking a new approach to fundraising, which the board will examine in October.

'Excited' about new possibilities

AndrewMolloy, president of the faculty association,said there's a sense of relief.

"It's been a very stressful period. We have been living with this for the better part of two years, so it gives the members a chance to breathe and it gives us an opportunity to go forth and get a new collective agreement," he said.

"We agree that the objectives set out in the plan are quite achievable and we're excited about new possibilities."

Board chairman Ambrose White says it bodes well for the future of the university.

"Everybody wanted something to happen here in a positive way. It took us a while to get there at the end of the day, but Ithink everybody's leaving here quite happy and ready for our regular board meeting at the end of October."

White said the vision is important because they don't want more cuts.

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