The president of StFX says staffing levels and programs at the Coady International Institute will be significantly impacted by a loss of federal funding.
Kent MacDonald says $3 million of the Coady’s $7 million budget comes from officials with the federal government.
He says they were advised that funding wouldn’t be renewed in the fall.
MacDonald tells The Hawk they’re facing some tough decisions.
“It’s been a difficult time, and it’s something that we’ve been continuing to work on with our colleagues in Ottawa- the federal government- but at this point, we don’t have an answer,” he says. “We’re exposing Coady to a significant deficit, which we can’t allow to happen.”
MacDonald says Coady instructors and staff members have been offered the opportunity to leave voluntarily.
He says layoffs will be required if there aren’t enough voluntary departures.
“These times are never easy for an institution, and for the people that this is going to impact,” he says. “On the other hand, I do believe that Coady’s future will be strong, and making sure it’s in a fiscally-sustainable position is what we’re committing to.”
MacDonald says the Coady’s flagship Diploma Program won’t be offered in the summer for the first time in decades.
He says their expectation is it will return at some point in the future.
