'Deficit is an acute problem': Queen's University eyes drastic cutbacks, addresses students

Queen's University in Kingston. (Kimberley Johnson/CTV News Ottawa)

Faculty and staff at Queen's University are not certain about the university's future amid financial difficulties.

This comes after the Queen's Journal -- the main student-run newspaper at Queen's University -- reported leaked documents showing some courses in the faculty of arts and sciences with less than 10 students will be cut.

On Dec. 11, 2023, Matthew Evans,  provost, and Barbara Crow, dean of arts and science addressed staff and faculty during a town hall, saying layoffs aren’t planned, noting that everything is possible, according to the student-run newspaper.

Meanwhile, the university sent a letter to its students on Nov. 30, 2023 confirming its financial crisis, saying "the deficit is an acute problem," requiring immediate action.

Though the university is cutting costs to tackle the problem, getting out of the current financial crisis requires long-term planning, the letter reads.

"It is true that the university is facing significant financial challenges. Costs have exceeded revenue to an unsustainable level with an operating budget deficit for the current fiscal year 2023-24 initially projected to be over $62 million. This is ten percent of our total operating budget of slightly more than $600 million," read the letter. 

The university adds cutting costs is a necessary step to protect its core academic mission of research and teaching.

"It will take significant efforts from faculties and shared service units to reduce costs and reach a balanced budget within the next two years. Immediate pressures require us to take immediate action," read the letter. "We must also look to build a long-term future for Queen’s that is fiscally sustainable."