Terri Brennan started a Change.org petition urging the Memorial University of Newfoundland Students’ Union (MUNSU) to reinstate funding to CHMR, its radio station. The petition was launched two weeks ago and has gathered 227 signatures to date.
On April 1, 2026, the MUNSU Board of Directors voted to defund CHMR amid financial woes. The Union’s 2023-2024 audit shows a $297,998 deficit, with the deficit expected to be tens of thousands of dollars higher in the 2024-25 audit.
Brennan said, “I am BEGGING them to reconsider their options for resolving funding issues and to reinstate their funding to CHMR.”
She stated that during her five years as a volunteer at CHMR, she found more than just a platform to express her passion for media: “It was a family and a source of immense comfort.” Brennan said she gained invaluable skills in media, interviewing, and engaging with artists, and that CHMR provided “a sense of belonging and confidence that rippled beyond personal experiences, touching countless students who shared similar journeys.”
Brennan said MUNSU’s decision contrasts starkly with its prioritization of The Breezeway Bar, which received close to a million dollars for renovations, compared to a few hundred thousand deemed excessive for CHMR.
Three supporters commented on the petition, including Jillian, who stated, “I truly believe MUNSU should heavily reconsider giving CHMR the one additional year they requested in order to find independent funding and move on successfully. The decision to make the cut so soon will make their ability to survive much more difficult than it should have to be.”
Mitchell said, “Defunding media is directly against MUNSU’s stated objective.”
Jo stated, “It was very long ago that I volunteered at CHMR in the early 80s, but it still affects my life. I find the prospect of it ceasing to exist quite horrible, so new students would not even have the opportunity to join the community. Please give it the chance to find a way to continue.”
Brennan said CHMR serves as a creative outlet for students, enriches the educational experience by offering real-world exposure to media operations, and plays a critical role in nurturing young talent and helping them build both academic and professional skills.
She said MUNSU could explore alternative solutions for managing its debts, such as “re-evaluating all funded entities and ensuring a more balanced and fair distribution of resources.”
Brennan said the aim is not to “diminish the importance of other services, but to recognize the invaluable impact of the radio station on student lives.”
She said those interested in having MUNSU reinstate funding to CHMR can sign the petition and forward it to MUNSU board members.
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