University of Alberta plans four per cent budget cut in 2018-19 - Juris Graney, Edmonton Journal

Facing an escalating structural deficit for the second time in four years, the University of Alberta is planning an across-the-board budget cut of four per cent in the next fiscal year, with further 2.5 per cent reductions proposed in each of the two following budgets. To try to eliminate or at the very least curb its $14-million structural deficit, the university announced Tuesday it is asking faculties and administrative units to find “efficiencies” to reduce costs. Provost Steve Dew said it was “a little too early” to speculate whether those savings would come from voluntary buyouts, bigger class sizes or through a reduction in course offerings. “Everything is on the table and we want to look carefully at how we can do this in a manner that allows us to minimize impact on students and allow us to preserve our talent,” he said Wednesday. http://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/university-of-alberta-plans-four-per-cent-budget-cut-in-2018-19