VOCM takes down article with Minister Osborne’s statements on international students

VOCM article.

On July 19th, 2021, at 6:10 AM, VOCM News published an article with comments by the province’s Minister of Education, Tom Osbourne, on international students retention and tuition. The article was then taken down.

A 404 not found page now appears instead of the article:

See the article published by VOCM below:

Province Has Issues Retaining International Students After Graduation Even with Low Tuition: Osborne

Jul 19, 2021 | 6:10 AM

Province Has Issues Retaining International Students After Graduation Even with Low Tuition: Osborne

The province’s education minister says despite relatively low tuition, Newfoundland and Labrador did not have a good track record in retaining international students after graduation.

Tom Osborne says statistics show that while MUN attracts a large number of international students, few stay in the province after they earn their degrees. That, he says, shows that low tuition rates are not leading to greater retention of immigrants to the province.

Osborne says government has been looking at other ways to retain students coming to Newfoundland and Labrador for their post-secondary education.

Image version of article:


Matt Barter is a third-year student in the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.

MUN hires Associate Vice-President with over $160K salary

MUN’s new Associate Vice-President (administration and finance) Marine Institute Laurie Skinner.

A recently obtained access-to-information request (ATIPP) reveals the salary of Memorial University of Newfoundland’s newly hired Associate Vice-President (administration and finance) Marine Institute Laurie Skinner at over $160K a year. The university just announced a massive tuition hike for students, yet it is business as usual for them.

Skinner’s starting salary is $161,914 per annum and is Band Level 15, Step 9. The position is a member of the university’s Senior Leadership Group.

The university paid over $50K for the search to the company Knightsbridge Robertson Surette.

See ATIPPS below:

Response to ATIPP Request: 002-17-128-21

Costs for Associate Vice-President (Marine Institute) Administration and Finance Search

CostsDescriptionAdditional InfoCostHSTTotal
Knightsbridge Robertson SuretteProfessional FeesRE: Search for AVP Finance and Administration per Open Call RFP-072-19$45,000.00$6,750$51,750

Matt Barter is a third-year student in the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.

MUN hires new Vice-President (Advancement) with over $200K salary

MUN’s newly hired Vice-President (Advancement and External Relations) Lisa Browne.

A recently obtained access-to-information request (ATIPP) reveals the salary of Memorial University of Newfoundland’s newly hired Vice-President (Advancement and External Relations) Lisa Browne at over $200K a year. This, at a time when the administration at the university is talking about massive tuition hikes for students.

Browne’s starting salary is $204,843 per annum and is Step 2 of the Executive Group Salary Scale for Vice-Presidents. Browne’s salary could increase as high as $243,861.

The university paid over 60K for the search for this new position. There were two executive search installment fees of $20,234.50 and another of $20,234.25. Additionally, $6205.81 was spent on job advertisements. The total comes to $66,909.06.

See ATIPPs below:

ATIPP Request 002-17-126-21 Record created by the President’s Office

All costs re: search for vice-president (Advancement and external relations).

Invoice DateAmountExpense
10/23/20$20,234.50Executive Search Fee Installment
11/23/20$20,234.50Executive Search Fee Installment
12/23/20$20,234.25Executive Search Fee Installment
02/18/21$6205.81Job Advertisements

Matt Barter is a third-year student in the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.