May 20, 2015 Volume 47 | Number 14
A M E M O R I A L U N I V E R S I T Y O F N E W F O U N D L A N D P U B L I C AT I O N
Registration Mail No. 4006252
‘New dimensions’ Genetics research centre officially open By Virginia Middleton
MEMORIAL University officially opened
HSIMS PHOTO
the Craig L. Dobbin Genetics Research Centre May 1. Newfoundland and Labrador’s original gene pool and relatively closed environment provides unique opportunities to study genetic patterns and certain diseases. This state-of-the-art genetics research centre builds significant capacity for Memorial researchers to continue their important work in this area. The Craig L. Dobbin Genetics Research Centre is housed in a new six-storey building adjacent to the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s, N.L.
FROM LEFT ARE Dr. Darin King, Dr. James Rourke, Premier Paul Davis, Chancellor Susan Dyer Knight, Elaine Dobbin, President Gary Kachanoski, Dr. Jane Green, Dr. Pat Parfrey and Dr. Richard Marceau at the genetics centre opening.
See GENETICS on page 3
Working to find solutions to budget shortfalls CONSIDERABLE work has gone into analyzing the implications of a reduction in Memorial’s operating grant for students and the institution, while sharing the available information with members of the university community. The reduction was announced in the provincial budget on April 30. “While our year-over-year operating budget line item was reduced significantly in the provincial budget, there are broader implications for the university,” noted President Kachanoski. “We have the shortfall in our operating grant, an additional reduction in our deferred maintenance
allocation, as well as an issue with our special payment to the pension fund, all of which need to be addressed. “We are still weeks away from having a proposal for the Board of Regents,” President Kachanoski continued. “However, given the speculation around tuition fees recently, I want to say now that if our budget proposal to the Board of Regents includes fee increases, and if those are approved, the increases would be for implementation in the 2016 academic year, allowing time for students to plan for such a change.” Administrators have met with a number of groups to brief them on
the budget situation and discuss possible options for revenue generation and cost-containment to address the shortfalls. Meetings have been held with the student unions, deans, the Vice-Presidents Council, the university pension committee, the pensioners’ association, administrative and academic leaders and the university’s Senate. Next steps include continued discussion with the university pension committee, additional analysis of the possible solutions and the impact of each, and preparation of a recommendation by the vice-presidents to the president for presentation to the
Board of Regents at its July meeting. An implementation plan will follow the decision of the board in July. “In the coming weeks we will continue to explore potential solutions,” said Dr. Kachanoski. “But until that process is complete and the board approves a university budget for 2015-16, the exact impact is unknown. I understand and appreciate that the lack of certainty causes concern for students, faculty and staff so we will continue to share information as we have it.”
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features
2 YA F F L E O F E N E R G Y
Can Memorial’s experts help develop wind power production in Newfoundland and Labrador?
A story of generosity at Memorial underscores the impact a gift can have on a life.
The Gazette brings you individual stories of some happy spring 2015 graduates.
Understanding climate change at the interfaces between atmospheric, terrestrial and aquatic environments.