Education minister announces funding for infrastructure

MUN’s campus set to become more modern, accessible

By Chelsea Howard and Chelsea Howard

The provincial government is dishing out more money to MUN.

Education minister Darin King and MUN’s president pro tempore Chris Loomis held a press conference on Jan. 25 to announce funding the government has made available in order to expand and improve Memorial’s programs and infrastructure.

King said at the beginning of the presentation that the funding will specifically benefit the science programs at MUN, as well as improve maintenance and infrastructure development on both St. John’s and Corner Brook campuses.

“Since 2004, our government has made unprecedented investments in Memorial University. In fact, our budget here has increased by 86 per cent,” he said.

Memorial’s operating grant was increased by $51.1 million in the last budget. This included a new academic building from the Corner Brook campus, as well as a new interdisciplinary research centre for genetic research and expansive development to the medical (and other professional) schools.

“For the most part, $7 million dollars in funding will go specifically to the science department of the university. Things like lab upgrades, new equipment and general “fixing-up” of the physical facilities will be the focus,” he said.

King says these upgrades are necessary for Memorial to maintain its status as a world-class institution. In order to ensure that the infrastructure as well as the programming is up to par, King announced an immediate increase in funding of $9.7 million.

This increase will enable the university to purchase the aforementioned modern laboratory equipment, as well as to improve the campus’s accessibility for people with disabilities.

“$300,000 has been allocated to make MUN campus more accessible,” he said. This funding will allow the university to upgrade elevator panels, to provide accessibility to Corte Real, Burton’s Pond, and to continue with walkway, ramp and railing upgrades,” said King.

A budget increase of 38 per cent will support continued growth at Grenfell College in Corner Brook. A new academic building is set to be constructed on that campus, and funding has been set aside to ensure continued development in marketing.

“If we continue to invest in Grenfell, we hope that it will show the leadership it needs to grow enrolment and implement new programs,” said King.

Finally, in terms of maintenance, an additional $2 million (combined with the original $4 million) has been allocated in the budget for “deferred maintenance costs.”

“Deferred maintenance just means all the things the university need to have fixed but did not have the resources,” explained King. “It could be anything from fixing the windows to repairing stairwells.”

When asked if any funding for the arts at MUN is on the horizon, the minister of education replied he could not speculate as to future funding placements; however it would be up to the university to decide which programs benefit from governmental grants.

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