Queen's University cuts programs, 47 faculty jobs

The dean of Arts and Sciences at Queen's University says the school is going to have to rethink the way it's offering education because of new budget constraints.

The dean, Alistair MacLean, said that every department has been asked to shave at least 15 per cent from all of its expenditures as part of new budget cuts.

"We're going to have to stop doing some things we really value because we can no longer afford to do them," he said.

MacLean said officials hope to see 47 faculty members resign or take early retirement and then those employees won't be replaced.

The Queen's Alma Mater Society, an undergraduate student group, says the school is also cutting several academic programs and departments – a move they say will affect the quality of education the school can offer.

Among the programs being cut, it said, are Spanish, Italian and German.

MacLean said the faculty shares the group's concerns.

"When I go in to speak to recruitment meetings of students, one of the things I've always emphasized to them is we will guarantee you your choice of any first year course you want," said MacLean. "Now, we're no longer going to be able to live up to that because we no longer have the resources to guarantee everybody that."

A spokesperson for the Alma Mater Society said student organizations across Ontario will continue to lobby the provincial government to put more money into Ontario's universities.