Wilfrid Laurier University plans to cut its budget by $10 million in the next year – and the specifics of how and where those cuts will be made are dividing the school’s community.
As the school’s board of governors met Thursday to discuss possible methods informing decisions about cuts, a group of about 50 students watched on in silent protest.
“We understand this process has to go forward, whether or not we like it,” said Connor Young, one of the students, who voiced concerns about consultation with students.
University president Max Blouw called the meeting a “good discussion,” but acknowledged the school will be facing some difficult challenges in the coming months.
“We have to make choices. No institution can do everything,” he said.
“What are our priorities? There’s disagreement around that.”
Some students accused the school of putting profits before education – an assertion Blouw disagreed with.
“You can run universities in a very businesslike way … but the top priority has to be the academic work,” he said.
