Province freezes $200,000 until “fundamental changes” are made
The Saskatchewan government has suspended funding to First Nations University Of Canada, saying it wants to see steps taken to restore the institution’s accountability.
The province made the move to freeze $200,000 after an internal report raised concerns about how the Regina-based university is run. Advanced Education Minister Rob Norris said the government needs to see an interim board or subcommittee established to address the governance issues in a serious way.
However, university board chair Clarence Bellegarde says he doesn’t agree with the internal report.
He says the report wasn’t written by experts on how universities are run, and he wants to hire a professional consultant to review the school’s operations.
Bellegarde warned that without provincial funding, the university may have to cut back some services.
Just five months ago, the Wall government announced hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding to the university to help pay for construction, staff and supplies.
Since then, the Canadian Association Of University Teachers censured the school over what they call political interference.
A vice-president was fired, and students held a rally to voice their own concerns.
– The Canadian Press