Budget cuts force layoffs at Athabasca University

March 22, 2013

The Athabasca University Board of Governors today passed a budget for fiscal 2013-2014 that will see 44 layoffs at the university. Another 35 employees have chosen to voluntarily leave their positions at the university using the Career Transition Program. 34 vacant positions, previously subjected to a hiring freeze, are also being eliminated.

The university received a 7.2 percent decrease in next year's Campus Alberta Operating Grant in the March 7, 2013 provincial budget. This represents a revenue shortfall of $3.7 million. In addition, the university's capital grant was cut by $1.7 million. The university services more than 40,000 students on an annual operating budget of just over $128 million.

"We had counted, as had all the post-secondaries, on a two percent 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."

The university will be working with unions and affected staff in the weeks ahead.

For more information, contact:

John O'Brien
Manager, Communications and Media Relations
403-298-2931 (office)
403-990-1131 (cell)
jobrien@athabascau.ca

 

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Updated August 21, 2012