VIU's Financial Turnaround: A New Era

0:00It's April 19th. This is Canada News Today, driven by AI. Vancouver Island University just dropped some good news after tough times. After more than two years of slashing jobs and programs, the school posted its first surplus since 2019. This covers there in Animo, Coichan, and Power River campuses, with unaudited books showing there in the black for the 2025-20. 26. Fiscal Year They balanced the budget through deep cuts, eliminating over a hundred jobs and dozens of programs. That included the music program, a fixture since 1969, plus Canada's third biggest geographic information systems track, and the island's only community planning masters. Those moves save $11.65 million last year. Interim President Dennis Johnson calls it a major turnaround, saying the worst financial crunch is over. The University Association head, Garre Per West, is glad but cautious, noting 123 members faced layoffs or early retirements.

1:02She wants them to pull back on planned cuts next year to prove things are solid. The province has been watching close, putting VIU under audit last year alongside Royal Roads University. The old president resigned amid pushback from staff and students, and they're hunting for a permanent replacement with interviews set for fall and A, picked by late this year or early 2027. As students finish exams this month, strong spots like record computer science classes shine through. VIU's eyeing steady growth now, proving resilience after the storm.