VIU Board & Senate Updates: Budget Cuts, Program Cancellations, Library Access & A New President
Big decisions were made last week that will shape the future of VIU—and students deserve to know what happened, what it means, and where we go from here.
Board of Governors Recap:
Program Cancellations Approved by the Board of Governors
On June 3, VIU’s Board of Governors approved the formal cancellation of 14 academic programs as part of the University’s Deficit Mitigation Plan. Programs affected include:
B.Sc. Minor in Languages and Culture (Romance Languages)
Dental Assistant Program (DENA)
Digital Media Minor (DMM)
Graduate Certificate in Business (GCIB)
Graduate Diploma in Hospitality Management (GDHM)
Graduate Diploma in International Trade (GDIT)
Graduate Diploma in Project Management (GDPM)
Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Leisure Management (GDLM)
Inclusive Education Graduate Diploma (IEGD)
Language and Culture Post-Degree Diploma – Romance Languages (PDDLC)
Literacy, Language, and Learning Graduate Diploma (LLLGD)
Master of Arts in Sustainable Leisure Management (MASLM)
Master of Community Planning (MCP)
Teacher Leadership Graduate Diploma (TLGD)
Some programs will be phased out immediately; others by 2026. Students and faculty raised serious concerns about reputational damage, the lack of student consultation, and the logistical chaos for students already accepted into these programs—some of whom had already paid deposits and made plans to move to Nanaimo.
An MCP student put it in a letter that was shared at the meeting:
“VIU acted in bad faith, accepting [students], taking deposits, and then moving toward cancellation… It’s confusing, it’s heartbreaking, and it sends a damaging message about how students are treated.”
We echoed those concerns at the Board level. We will continue to call for student-centred transition planning and transparency around future program changes.
At the same time, we recognize that VIU is facing serious financial pressures and is being forced to make difficult—and at times rash—decisions in order to stay afloat. The cancellation of these programs is expected to reduce expenses by $4.4 million as part of a broader effort to address the university’s budget shortfalls.
The majority of the cancelled programs are graduate-level offerings. Unlike undergraduate and trades programs, graduate programs at VIU do not receive base funding from the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education & Future Skills. As a special purpose teaching university, VIU has historically delivered these graduate programs on a cost-recovery basis—relying on tuition revenue to cover the cost of instruction and delivery.
However, escalating costs due to inflation, coupled with an outdated provincial funding system, have made this model unsustainable for VIU. Many of these programs are no longer financially viable, despite their academic and community value.
We will continue to push for more robust student consultation, especially when the impacts are this significant. Students deserve clarity, fairness, and a say in decisions that directly affect their education and future.
Update on 24/7 Library Access
VIUSU was denied the opportunity to present at the Board of Governors meeting on June 3, with the rationale that the Acting President would address the issue in her President’s Report. While the topic was briefly mentioned, it was framed around the administration’s discussions with VIUSU about alternative 24/7 study spaces.
We want to clarify that while we appreciate these discussions, our advocacy remains focused on restoring overnight access to the VIU Library itself. The library is a unique and essential academic space, and while exploring alternatives can be part of a broader solution, they are not a substitute for the dedicated library environment students rely on—especially during high-pressure times like exam season.
There was no further discussion on the issue during the meeting, making this the final scheduled opportunity for the Board to weigh in before Fall 2025 planning wraps up. However, we’re encouraged by the Acting President’s note that the administration is looking forward to continued conversations with VIUSU, as we establish a monthly meeting schedule for the year ahead.
We’re committed to working together to find solutions that truly meet student needs, and we’ll continue bringing this issue forward in the spirit of collaboration—and persistence.
VIU Budget Cuts: $18 Million in Reductions Coming
The Board of Governors approved VIU’s 2025–2026 operating budget, which includes $18 million in spending reductions to be achieved by March 2026 in order to balance the budget. These savings will come from a combination of program cuts, staffing reductions, and strict cost controls.
At the same time, the Board approved a Five-Year Capital Plan outlining major infrastructure priorities—but these projects will only move forward if external funding is secured.
The top priority in the capital plan is a $17 million replacement of VIU’s Student Information System (SIS). This upgrade is intended to modernize and integrate VIU’s finance and student data systems, improving both administrative efficiency and the student experience.
We support investments in systems and infrastructure—like a new SIS—that have a meaningful, positive impact on students. If VIU is serious about improving outcomes, these investments must centre student needs and create long-term value for the campus community.
Board Announces a New Acting President
In addition to academic changes, VIU’s Board of Governors officially announced the appointment of Dr. Dennis Johnson as the new President and Vice-Chancellor of Vancouver Island University. Dr. Johnson will step into the role later this summer. We look forward to meeting him and hope to build a collaborative relationship rooted in transparency and student voice.
We also want to thank Acting President Emily Huner for stepping up during a particularly challenging time. Her efforts to engage with students, including through regular meetings with VIUSU, is a step in the right direction. We hope to continue to rebuild trust with Dr. Johnson as he steps into his new role.
Senate Recap:
Program Suspensions Revisited & Presidential Announcement
The return of the program suspensions proposal came before Senate on June 5. The updated motion proposed suspending six programs, including Philosophy, citing revised rationale from the administration. However, serious concerns remained. VIUFA President Gara Pruesse and Philosophy faculty member Dr. Carolyn Swanson submitted letters opposing the suspensions, highlighting continued inaccuracies in the documentation—ranging from misattributed quotes to misleading information about enrollment and curriculum.
During Senate deliberations, VIU’s Provost emphasized that these suspensions do not necessarily mark the end of the affected programs. Instead, they are intended to create space for departments to re-evaluate and redesign their offerings with the aim of returning with a renewed vision aligned with the university’s evolving goals for program delivery. Senate voted to suspend all six programs.
VIUSU maintains that while difficult decisions may be necessary to ensure the university’s long-term sustainability, academic decisions must be grounded in accurate information, transparent processes, and a genuine commitment to student learning and academic diversity—and students must be meaningfully included in shaping those decisions. We will continue to demand accountability, transparency, and a permanent student voice at every table where decisions about our education are made.
Student Running for Senate Vice-Chair
Student Senator (and VIUSU’s Chairperson) Sarah Mei Lyana stood for election as Vice-Chair of Senate, running against the incumbent, Dr. David Hopwood. The election was held by secret ballot.
While studying abroad in Senegal, Lyana remained committed to her elected role as a student senator and requested in advance to attend the meeting virtually. Despite this, a majority of Senate members—primarily faculty, staff representatives, and deans—voted against allowing remote participation. This decision effectively barred her from attending the meeting and while her name still stood for election, she was denied the opportunity to vote in the election process.
Just days earlier, the VIU Board of Governors permitted virtual attendance at their own meeting, raising concerns about inconsistent standards and whether students are being held to a different level of accountability than other members of university governance.
Dr. Hopwood was ultimately re-elected. Still, Lyana’s candidacy and the barriers she faced underscore a pressing need for VIU’s community to uphold equity, transparency and inclusion in all levels of decision-making—especially when it comes to student voices.
Student Representation Expands
In more positive news, student representation on Senate subcommittees is expanding. While students have historically held seats on these committees, we are now seeing an increase in representation on several subcommittees—from one student to two. This includes one student senator elected by Senate and one additional student elected by the student body.
Notably, the newly established Executive Committee of Senate will also include student representation—a significant step forward.
These changes reflect a broader commitment to inclusive governance and to ensuring students have a stronger, more consistent voice in the academic decision-making processes that shape their education.
What’s Next—and How to Get Involved
We know these changes are heavy, but we’re not giving up. VIUSU is continuing to:
Push for restoration of 24/7 Library Access
Advocate for transparent, student-first decision making
If you’ve been impacted by program changes, have questions about your options, or want to get involved in advocacy work—reach out. We’re here to support you.
VIUSU Office – Building 193 | action@viusu.ca | viusu.ca
Your voice matters—and we’re making sure it’s heard.