MUN Faculty Association raises concerns about potential cuts to classes, faculty jobs
Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty Association (MUNFA) is raising concerns about faculty cuts impacting first-year courses. The University, which has seen a series of deep multi-year funding cuts, has recently revealed major projected changes that will see a number of contractual teaching staff lose their jobs.
MUNFA officials say the proposed plans include the elimination of seven (7) out of eight (8) contractual faculty positions in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics next year, with class sections of first-year math courses reduced by nearly half.
Officials say most undergraduate students rely on successful completion of first-year math and statistics courses to progress in their studies. They are required for undergraduate students in a wide range of programs in Science, Engineering, Computer Science, Business and elsewhere. The number of students struggling to achieve a successful outcome in such courses has risen considerably since the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring instructors to adapt how these courses are taught.
Despite the clear need for focused and supportive instruction to improve student outcomes, the University plans to double first-year math class sizes to make up the shortfall. Faculty members warn that fewer classes sections and larger classes for these critical high-demand courses could have detrimental impact on students’ experience, risking delayed academic progress and possibly driving attrition.
“These instructors have dedicated years, and in some cases decades, to helping Memorial students succeed,” said MUNFA President Dr. Lisa Moores. “Eliminating these positions will affect not only instructors, but also the students who depend on successful completion of these courses to move forward in their programs.”