The president of the University of Regina acknowledges the provincial government is still facing a major financial challenge, but Dr. Vianne Timmons says the fact that the school’s funding is staying flat after being reduced by five percent last year means tough times still lie ahead.
Dr. Vianne Timmons says the budget likely means the school will have to hike tuition again this year, but Timmons is adamant that hike won’t be as much as the 4.8 percent rise that the University of Saskatchewan recently introduced.
“I can guarantee you it won’t be as drastic,” Timmons said. “I can’t comment on how high it would be until our budget is finalized in May. We are in the bottom third in terms of affordability when it comes to tuition costs in Canada, and that is a principle we will hold on to.”
Layoffs are also likely. After the last budget, over 20 full-time staff lost their jobs with some job vacancies not getting filled. Timmons expects that will occur again this year.
