'It's a positive budget for us': MUN, students and faculty weigh in on provincial budget

After a year of budget cuts, restricted hiring, and a scathing auditor general's report finding millions of dollars in deferred maintenance, Memorial University is welcoming a funding boost from the provincial government. 

The province tabled its 2025 budget last Wednesday, which allocated $400 million to the university – $89 million more than last year.

"I would say it's a very positive budget for us and we were delighted to see that the provincial government is willing to invest in Memorial University," said MUN president Jennifer Lokash. 

That money includes $312 million for the university's core operating grant, with $7.8 million allocated to the campus renewal fee, which will save full-time students $500 a year. 

Also, $13.7 million will go to support the university's budget, $4.7 million will go to the Faculty of Nursing's satellite sites and $2 million for the Doctor of Psychology program. 

Since 2022 the province has been cutting funding to the tuition offset grant, but no further cuts were made in this year's budget.

"That planned reduction was going to be really hard for the institution," said Lokash. "Having a reprieve from that reduction is incredibly helpful to us."

On top of that, is $70 million over the next eight years for deferred maintenance. 

Last January, the province's auditor general found $481 million in deferred maintenance liabilities, including an asbestos-filled tunnel system and mould. 

Lokash said she is aware of the problems and that they've made progress, but says the new funds "will have real tangible impacts on what we can do."

In the meantime, Lokash says the university will continue advocating for more deferred maintenance funding.

"We still have work to do in order to address the Auditor General's reports and to just generally become a more efficient, well governed institution," said Lokash.

Some students were happy to hear about the increase in funding. 

Computer science student Adarsh Dubey said he has seen buildings deteriorate and tuition fees increase since he first started. He hopes this money will mean decreased tuition fees and repairs to older buildings.