Education
December 16, 2009
Government Announces Plan for
Increased Grenfell Autonomy
A number of initiatives announced by the Provincial
Government today will increase the independence of Sir
Wilfred Grenfell and facilitate its growth. These
initiatives build on the strengths of Grenfell and
appropriately recognize its role as a university
institution and not a college.
The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education, made
the announcement today in Corner Brook. He was joined by
Bob Simmonds, Chair of the Memorial University Board of
Regents, and the Honourable Tom Marshall, MHA for Humber
East. Also in attendance were representatives from
Grenfell and Memorial University, including Dr. Holly
Pike, Grenfell Principal (acting), and Dr. Chris Loomis,
President, pro tempore, of Memorial University.
To assist the growth and independence of Sir Wilfred
Grenfell, the Provincial Government has formally
requested that the Board of Regents:
- Rename Sir Wilfred Grenfell College to Memorial
University of Newfoundland-Corner Brook to enhance
its unique identity within the university system;
- Submit a separate budget to the Provincial
Government through the Board of Regents to allow
independent budget processes and priority setting;
and,
- Position the principal of Grenfell on the senior
executive committee, reporting directly to the
president of Memorial University.
�Grenfell has already proven that it is capable of
great things and this is an opportune time to build on
its current success,� said Minister King. �This
government firmly believes that post-secondary education
is key to the economic agenda of the west coast and the
province. To support its growth, we are also announcing
today an investment of $6.5 million for Grenfell.�
Minister King noted that this represents a 38 per cent
increase in the operating grant for Grenfell. This will
bring the new investment in 2009-10 to $4 million, an
additional $2 million in 2010-11, followed by an
additional $500,000 in 2011-12.
This funding will support priorities identified by
Grenfell to enhance its own marketing and student
recruitment efforts, including an international office
to attract students and identify new markets with the
greatest recruitment potential.
�Providing this increased funding supports Grenfell and
the rest of the province as we are marketing Memorial
University,� said Minister King. �As well, increased
marketing of Grenfell�s quality programs and services
will enhance its standing in the global education
community.�
�Our government made a commitment to ensuring that Sir
Wilfred Grenfell College had the capability and
resources necessary to increase their autonomy and
promote themselves as a world-class university
institution,� said the Honourable Danny Williams,
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and MHA for Humber
West. �These initiatives fulfill this commitment in a
tangible way and I look forward to seeing great things
from Grenfell as they move forward. Corner Brook and
surrounding region has made great progress in the past
six years and through our continued financial support,
our government is proud of our commitment to the west
coast of the province.�
This funding will also support five new positions to
attract increased research funding for Grenfell. As
well, it will support additional positions in student
support services and general operations at Grenfell,
based on its strategic planning process. Furthermore,
annual funding in the amount of $1.6 million will
eliminate Grenfell�s existing operating deficit.
Finally, this funding will support the establishment of
a Sir Wilfred Grenfell Secretariat, located in Corner
Brook, to support Grenfell as it implements key priority
areas for growth.
�These initiatives, and the investments outlined above,
recognize the high quality of post-secondary education
available on our west coast,� said Minister King. �We
are looking to all parties to provide leadership as
these initiatives are implemented.�
�Our goal is unwavering � to grow Grenfell in terms of
programs, enrollment and research, with the focus on its
tremendous strengths, within the Memorial University of
Newfoundland community,� said Mr. Simmonds.
�The positive changes Minister King announced today give
us the resources to support marketing, recruitment,
research, and student services,� said Dr. Pike. �These
initiatives, which include greater local control of our
fiscal planning, are critical initiatives we have
identified to give us greater autonomy.�
�The new initiatives announced today are very positive
news for the Grenfell community and the whole west
coast,� said Minister Marshall. �A renamed Memorial
University of Newfoundland-Corner Brook will play an
integral role in the economy of Western Newfoundland and
the new investments and initiatives will ensure that
Grenfell has the necessary resources and tools to
address the issue of autonomy, market the university,
and address in a major way the recruiting of students to
the Corner Brook campus.�
This announcement complements several other provincial
investments in Sir Wilfred Grenfell including $15.5
million for a new academic building; $1.8 million for a
Centre for Environmental Excellence; $1.6 million for
the purchase of the RecPlex Building; and $1.1 million
for a new student services building.
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Media contacts:
Tara Power
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 727-5953
tarapower@gov.nl.ca |
Elizabeth Matthews
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca |
Andrea Nolan
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
709-729-4304, 727-0991
andreanolan@gov.nl.ca |
Victoria Collins
Executive Director, Marketing and Communications
Memorial University of Newfoundland
709-737-8662
vcollins@mun.ca
|
Larry Wells
Executive Assistant to the Hon. Tom Marshall,
MHA Humber East
709-637-2575
larrywells@gov.nl.ca |
|
BACKGROUNDER
Seven Priority Areas for Sir Wilfred Grenfell
The following details the Provincial Government�s
$6.5 million investment and seven priority areas
announced for Sir Wilfred Grenfell:
New Name
The Provincial Government has requested that the Board
of Regents rename Sir Wilfred Grenfell College to
Memorial University of Newfoundland-Corner Brook to
reflect that it is in fact a university campus.
Principal to Serve on Senior Executive Team
The Provincial Government is requesting that the
principal of Grenfell serve on the senior executive
committee and report to the president of Memorial
University.
Separate Budget for Sir Wilfred Grenfell
The Board of Regents has been requested to submit
separate budgets to the Provincial Government for Sir
Wilfred Grenfell and the rest of Memorial University
beginning in fiscal year 2011-12.
Marketing and Student Recruitment
Funding of $1.76 million is allocated for local,
national and international student recruitment, as well
as funding to brand and market the Corner Brook campus
as a university and to recruit students to the campus.
Sir Wilfred Grenfell Secretariat
The Board of Regents has been asked to establish a Sir
Wilfred Grenfell Secretariat located in Corner Brook to
work collaboratively with the Board of Regents and
Grenfell and to support the re-branding, marketing and
recruitment efforts. Funding of $500,000 is allocated
for this.
Research, Student Services and Administration
Funding will be allocated in the amount of $2.6 million
to support five new positions to attract increased
research funding for Grenfell. As well, the funding will
support additional positions in student support services
and administrative support at Grenfell, to support
growth in both research and student enrolment.
Elimination of the Fiscal Deficit
The Provincial Government is providing annual funding in
the amount of $1.6 million to eliminate Grenfell�s
existing operating deficit.
2009 12 16
3:10 p.m.