Faculty associations say Sask. Polytech layoffs threaten key sectors in province

“Despite reassurances from leadership that they intend to continue with the four-campus model, uncertainty remains,” said Michelle Downton, president of the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Faculty Association.

“These decisions are not only impacting our faculty and staff, but also the students and families who rely on stable, accessible education close to home.”

Since April, more than 100 jobs have been cut or positions have not been filled across multiple campuses affecting both instructional faculty and student-support staff. Most recently, the bookstores on the Prince Albert and Moose Jaw campuses were shut down.

The school blames the cuts on a roughly 40 per cent drop in international student enrolment, which has led to a significant revenue shortfall.

SOFA wants the government to undo “decades of public under-funding,” and instead, invest in the province’s capacity to attract, retain and train skilled workers.

“Saskatchewan’s post-secondary institutions have been asked to do more with less for far too long, leaving them vulnerable to enrolment fluctuations, inflationary pressures, and unstable revenue sources. Faculty, staff, and students are now paying the price for policy choices that fail to prioritize education as a public good,” said SOFA President Dr. Britt Hall.

The organization is proposing a multi-year funding agreement to protect Saskatchewan Polytechnic that includes public funding increases and, that stable, significant funds be made to all of the province’s post-secondary institutions.

Meanwhile, Saskatchewan Polytechnic has indicated that there may be further difficult decisions made in the coming months.

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