uSask posts deficit of more than $3 million

The University of Saskatchewan's board of governors has approved the institution's 2013-14 operating budget, which contains a projected deficit of $3.3 million. uSask's provost says he hopes the institution's ongoing cost-saving measures will eliminate that shortfall by the end of the 2013-14 year. A year ago, uSask announced it would need to cut $44.5 million from its operating expenses over the next 4 years to avoid a larger shortfall. A major factor is that funding from the Saskatchewan government is rising at a slower pace than in the past. Job cuts began just prior to Christmas, and an estimated 150 positions have been cut so far at uSask. The provost says there will be further job cuts within colleges before the end of June, though he has not provided a number. Job cuts alone are not enough to make up the expenses uSask must eliminate permanently, the provost cautions. TransformUS, the university's program prioritization process that is expected to be completed by November, will be one of those cost-saving measures, as will a lean pilot project that's steering uSask toward more bulk purchasing with other colleges and universities. uSask News Release | Saskatoon Star-Phoenix | CBC