Vancouver Island University is grappling with consecutive multimillion-dollar deficits it says were brought on by COVID-19.

The universityB次元官网网址檚 2023-24 budget includes an anticipated shortfall of $12.6 million, which follows a 2022-23 budget with an $11.6-million deficit. In this yearB次元官网网址檚 draft budget, VIU stated it has been in a deficit position since 2019-20. According to previous budgets and audited statements, VIU posted a $3-million deficit in its 2019-20 fiscal year and a $9-million deficit in 2020-21.

In an e-mail, VIU told the B次元官网网址 Bulletin the deficit is due to enrolment not having returned to pre-COVID levels, a situation many post-secondary institutions are experiencing. B次元官网网址淩ecord inflationB次元官网网址� is also having an adverse effect, it said. Enrolment totalled 13,671 in 2019-20, 12,033 in 2020-21, 12,423 in 2021-22 and 12,960 in 22-23, and 13,000 students are expected in the coming school year.

VIU said it works with the B.C. Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills to ensure the ministry understands its financial situation, to address challenges, B次元官网网址渁nd return to a balanced budget.B次元官网网址� It took a B次元官网网址渃onservative and integrated approachB次元官网网址� when developing this yearB次元官网网址檚 budget and B次元官网网址渋s confident it can make the necessary changes to return to favourable economic position.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淎 two per-cent increase to domestic student tuition, what is allowed by the province for all public post-secondary institutions, and a five per-cent increase to international student tuition is included in the 2023-24 budget,B次元官网网址� VIU said in an e-mail. B次元官网网址淭here was no reduction in the number of jobs at VIU in the 2023-24 budget.B次元官网网址�

The university stated it will focus investments on student recruitment and retention as both a budget strategy and means of contributing to B.C.B次元官网网址檚 economy, pointing to a B.C. labour market report which notes that 789,000, or 80 per cent, of all job openings between 2022 and 2032 will require workers with some level of post-secondary education or training.

B次元官网网址淰IUB次元官网网址檚 academic and trades programs are critical to filling these vacancies here on Vancouver Island and throughout B.C. We are constantly working to raise awareness of VIUB次元官网网址檚 programs to increase enrolment and provide skilled workers for B.C.,B次元官网网址� the university said.

Cole Reinbold, VIU StudentsB次元官网网址� Union chairperson, said students are being disproportionately impacted. There are many courses being cut, and third- and fourth-year students, especially those enrolled in sociology programs, are settling for whatever courses are available.

B次元官网网址淭he course offerings are very, very limited in third and fourth year, fourth year especially, so IB次元官网网址檓 having to essentially take whatB次元官网网址檚 given to meB次元官网网址�B次元官网网址� said the fourth-year marketing student. B次元官网网址淚 wasnB次元官网网址檛 able to get into the specifics of what I want my education to be about and IB次元官网网址檓 having to take general marketing research classes.B次元官网网址�

Reinbold added that international students at VIU are noticing a discrepancy in tuition compared with domestic students. According to the ministry, international students must prove they can support themselves while studying in Canada.

B次元官网网址淔or international students, it makes such a huge difference because for them to get their permit to study here, they have to have $10,000 in their bank account, because you have to show that you have the money to be able to pay the tuition B次元官网网址� they have to prove to the government that they can sustain themselves and go to school,B次元官网网址� Reinbold said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 more and more every year going towards only going to school.B次元官网网址�

Universities operate independently from the government and are responsible for their own financial management, according to the ministry; however, an institution needs to obtain approval from the B.C. government to run a deficit, which VIU has done.

B次元官网网址淲e know that some post-secondary institutions have raised concerns about enrolment and tuition revenue, and we are working with them and the sectorB次元官网网址�B次元官网网址� said Selina Robinson, B.C.B次元官网网址檚 post-secondary minister, in an e-mail. B次元官网网址淭he ministry is here as a partner to support post-secondary institutions with challenges that arise from year to year.B次元官网网址�

The VIU Faculty Association did not respond to a request for comment.

READ ALSO:

karl.yu@nanaimobulletin.com
Like us on and follow us on