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Southern Alberta university sharpening axe after provincial funding cuts

Several programs may be cut as a southern Alberta university copes with provincial cuts in post-secondary education funding.

CALGARY — Several programs may be cut as a southern Alberta university copes with provincial cuts in post-secondary education funding.

Officials with Calgary’s Mount Royal University say they are looking at suspending three diploma programs, four certificate programs and an engineering transfer program with the University of Calgary.

As well, student intake for the nursing program may also be slashed by a third.

The proposed cuts were announced at a town hall meeting on the campus Tuesday afternoon, and will go before Mount Royal’s General Faculties Council Thursday.

Norma MacIntosh, dean of the Faculty of Continuing Education, says in a staff memo that Tuesday was a difficult day at Mount Royal.

The university was left with a $14-million funding shortfall after the government’s March budget included a $147-million cut in post-secondary operating costs.

About 700 Mount Royal students marched on Alberta Premier Redford’s Calgary constituency office last Wednesday and presented a petition, demanding reinstatement of the funding.