Memorial University Program Cuts: Over a Dozen Programs Ended or Paused Amid Low Enrollment Crisis

Financial Pressures Mounting at Memorial University

Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), the province's sole public university, is navigating a perfect storm of financial challenges that have led to significant program adjustments. In May 2025, the institution announced a $20.85 million permanent base expenditure reduction to balance its $468.6 million 2025-26 operating budget, excluding the Faculty of Medicine. This multi-phased approach addresses declining revenues, inflationary pressures, and structural shifts in higher education funding. Provincial operating grants stand at $311.6 million, with targeted increases for collective agreements, but capital grants have decreased, exacerbating deferred maintenance issues estimated in the tens of millions.

Key contributors include the end of a provincial tuition offset grant and a reinstated tuition freeze for fall 2026 by the Newfoundland and Labrador Conservative government. This freeze, fulfilling an election promise, prohibits increases until finances stabilize, limiting revenue growth. MUN has responded by restructuring its executive team—reducing vice-presidents from seven to three—eliminating 20 positions, closing a research centre and public engagement office, and planning divestitures of non-core assets like the Harlow Campus in the UK (operations until August 2026), Signal Hill graduate residence, and Johnson Geo Centre.

Proceeds from property sales, projected to save $3 million annually in operations and $20 million in maintenance, will be reinvested into core academic priorities. Despite these measures, President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Janet Morrison acknowledged, “Today was a really hard day and there’s going to be more difficult days ahead,” underscoring the depth of the crisis.

Sharp Enrollment Declines Trigger Revenue Losses

At the heart of MUN's troubles lies a persistent enrollment downturn. Fall 2025 saw a 4.6 percent overall drop compared to 2024, with international student numbers plummeting 23.5 percent due to federal study permit caps. This slashed undergraduate tuition revenue by over $6.7 million, including a $5 million hit from fewer global learners. Domestically, Newfoundland's school-age population has shrunk more than 30 percent since 2000, mirroring a national postsecondary-aged demographic decline from 9.6 percent in 2010 to 8.8 percent in 2023.

These trends compound historical vulnerabilities: MUN's youth cohort has been contracting since the 1980s. International marketing efforts continue, but global competition and policy shifts hinder recovery. The result? Programs unable to attract sustainable numbers face scrutiny, prompting a strategic review prioritizing viability.

Affected Programs: A Comprehensive List

Over the past year, MUN has ended, suspended, or paused more than a dozen programs, primarily citing low enrollment. Here's a breakdown:

• Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences: Ended certificates in Newfoundland and Labrador Studies, Ancient Languages, Ancient Worlds, and Food Studies; Diplomas in Humanities and Environmental Humanities (0-4 graduates annually since 2021).
• School of Nursing: Suspended accelerated three-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) for 2025-2026.
• Grenfell Campus: Paused Master of Fine Arts (resuming spring 2026), Bachelor of Fine Arts in Applied Literary Arts (fall 2026 review), Multidisciplinary Humanities Major (zero current enrollees).
• Business and Graduate Studies: Ended MBA focus on social enterprise and entrepreneurship (2024), Master of Arts in Religion and Culture, Master of Philosophy in Humanities.
• Marine Institute: Ended Post-Graduate Certificate in Quality Management.
• Other: Suspended English Major with Theatre/Drama specialization (faculty retirement); Certificate in Public Policy upgraded to diploma; Bachelor of Special Education redeveloped into Master of Education.

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences alone cut 96 courses this year amid shrinking faculty and budgets. Current students in affected programs receive full support to complete their studies.

Reasons for Program Cuts and Pauses

Decisions stem from a rigorous evaluation of enrollment sustainability, learning outcomes, program completion feasibility, and faculty availability. Many niche programs, like the humanities certificates, consistently graduated fewer than five students yearly, straining resources without delivering scale. The three-year BScN, despite demand for nurses, rarely filled its 32 seats and saw high attrition, prompting a shift to bolster the four-year option for better retention and outcomes.

University spokesperson Chad Pelley emphasized these changes are not tied to recent cost-saving but to long-term viability: “Programs were assessed on whether they can be completed in a reasonable time given faculty and course offerings.” Dean Natasha Hurley of Humanities and Social Sciences added, “We just can’t keep doing all the same numbers of things... with fewer and fewer resources.” Related courses remain available, preserving subject access.

Stakeholder Perspectives: Concerns and Defenses

Reactions vary widely. MUN Undergraduate Students' Union President Nathan Gillingham lamented the Newfoundland and Labrador Studies Certificate loss: “What other universities would offer that, if not MUN?” The Registered Nurses' Union, led by Yvette Coffey, decried the BScN pause amid shortages: “We should fix recruitment and supports before removing pathways.” MBA alumna Kristen Murray called the social enterprise focus cut a disservice to mission-driven businesses.

MUN Faculty Association President Lisa Moores warned of eroding choice: “Program cancellations mean less opportunity... of concern to everyone.” Conversely, the university consulted stakeholders, including nursing leaders, and notes unchanged undergraduate nursing seats via regional partnerships. Government monitoring ensures graduate increases.

Impacts on Students, Faculty, and the Province

Students face reduced niche options, potentially larger classes, fewer labs, and trimmed services. Grenfell Campus offerings evolve, while humanities seekers pivot to core majors. Faculty workloads rise with course consolidations; no immediate layoffs, but hiring freezes loom. For Newfoundland and Labrador—reliant on MUN for comprehensive education—these shifts risk talent pipelines in underserved fields like regional studies or specialized nursing.

Yet, positives emerge: Redesigned programs align with credentialing trends, and TIME's 2026 Top 300 ranking (#295 global, #17 Canada) affirms strengths in engineering, sciences, and impact. Explore higher ed jobs resilient to such changes or rate your professors at MUN.

Broader Canadian Higher Education Context

MUN's plight echoes national trends: Enrollment dips from demographic cliffs and international curbs affect many institutions. Other Atlantic universities grapple similarly, though MUN's provincial monopoly amplifies stakes. Federal Research Support Fund aids ($4.75M), but tuition freezes strain without funding hikes. Canadian Federation of Students welcomes freezes but urges investments.

Comparisons: Ontario faces funding tweaks; national youth decline persists. MUN's strategies—strategic enrollment management, revenue diversification—offer models. For career navigators, higher ed career advice on adapting to volatility.

University Strategies and Future Outlook

MUN prioritizes learner-centric transformation: $13.68M from paused grants funds recruitment, retention, tech upgrades, and operations streamlining. Property reinvestments target academics; international diversification and flexible tuition advocacy loom. President Morrison eyes a “sharper focus on core mission,” protecting delivery amid a “smaller future.”

Optimism tempers caution: Rankings validate quality; program pauses allow renewal. Provincial $70M maintenance commitment aids infrastructure. Long-term: Align with labor needs, boost graduates in high-demand areas like nursing via refined pathways.

Actionable Advice for Students and Job Seekers

Affected students: Leverage support to finish; explore alternatives like course bundles or transfers. Prospective enrollees: Research viable majors; consider Canadian university jobs or university jobs post-grad. Faculty: Upskill for pivots. Amid uncertainty, platforms like faculty positions and academic CV tips empower transitions.

NL's higher ed ecosystem needs resilience—advocate for funding while adapting.

Photo by Bangyu Wang on Unsplash

Path Forward: Balancing Cuts with Innovation

Memorial University program cuts reflect pragmatic stewardship amid low enrollment pressures, preserving essentials while pruning unsustainable offerings. Stakeholder voices highlight tensions, but strategic reallocations promise sustainability. As Canada confronts enrollment headwinds, MUN's model—reviews, divestitures, refocus—guides others. Stay informed, explore opportunities at AcademicJobs.com higher ed jobs, rate my professor, and career advice. Newfoundland's academic future hinges on collaborative solutions.