As we continue to navigate the presidential transition and our current financial realities, I want to provide a clear update on recent developments. Further to my emails on March 28 and April 2, I remain committed to keeping our campus community informed in a timely and consistent manner.
Last week, I had four meetings with the Ministry of Post-Secondary and Future Skills (PSFS), including productive conversations with both the Deputy Minister and Assistant Deputy Minister. I want to assure you that I am actively engaged in advocating for VIU, seeking Ministry support, and working collaboratively on the pending audits.
We are also pleased to be welcoming the Deputy and Assistant Deputy Ministers to campus on April 14. Their visit will include a campus tour designed to align with their interests while showcasing the full vibrancy and diversity of our VIU community.
Budget planning and timelines
The Ministry has reaffirmed its expectation that the full $18 million in expense reductions must be actioned by March 31, 2026. Meeting this target remains a shared and urgent priority for us.
In December, the Board of Governors extended the budget approval timeline from March 31 to June 3, 2025. This revised schedule allows for a more thorough and consultative process. The budget process will follow these key governance milestones:
- May 8 – Review by the Board’s Finance and Audit committee.
- May 12 – Consideration by Senate’s Planning and Priorities committee.
- June 3 – Final approval by the Board of Governors.
We are reconciling the 2025-26 budget submissions to ensure they align with our commitments under the Deficit Mitigation Plan (DMP). Once approved by the Board in June, we will share it with the community. As part of this process, the efforts to close the current $12 million budget gap are being finalized, and I will provide further updates as they become available.
As part of our broader efforts to manage financial pressures, I have made the decision to pause all proposed service department moves, including the move of president and executive offices to Building 305. All academic department moves will proceed as planned. This decision will be revisited by the incoming acting president, with consideration of budget and operational planning constraints.
To support leadership continuity, the Board has engaged Boyden Executive Search and Consulting to assist in the search for a longer-term acting president. The appointment will be made by the executive committee of the Board, which has been expanded to include a student and a faculty board member.
Due to the departure of the president, the business originally planned for the March 31 Board meeting will now be completed on April 24, 2025. This meeting will be open to the public, and we welcome members of the community to attend. If you have questions about upcoming Board events, or the Board’s ongoing activity to recruit and appoint an acting president, please contact the University Secretariat at Board@viu.ca.
Thank you for your continued engagement and support as we work together through this important period in VIU’s planning and decision-making.
Budget survey reports
Thank you to everyone who took the time to share your thoughts through the recent employee budget survey. It’s important to note that response rates were lower than usual, and as such, the results may not fully reflect the perspectives of our broader community. Your feedback reflects a wide range of concerns – and important truths. It gives us a clearer picture of what we need to do better, especially in rebuilding trust and improving communication.
This feedback provides a crucial foundation for reflection and change. Moving forward, I am committed to:
- Increasing the frequency and clarity of budget communications;
- Enhancing access to understandable financial data and decision-making rationale;
- Exploring new and improved avenues for employee engagement;
- Strengthening trust through transparent, equitable, and accountable leadership.
I recognize the challenges our institution is facing, and I deeply value the dedication and resilience shown by our employees. Your voices are helping to shape a better path forward and I remain committed to building that future together.
As always, thank you for your continued dedication to VIU. I am grateful to be a part of this community and deeply appreciative of the collaborative spirit you bring to all we do.
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