The Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty Association (MUNFA) Executive sent a memo to its members on April 17, 2026, titled “Administrations Spending Priorities and Questions about Shared Governance at Memorial.”
The memo stated that several MUNFA members have contacted the Executive with concerns about a recent Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by the Office of the Provost last month to hire an external consulting firm “to develop and implement a comprehensive strategic enrolment management plan.”
The RFP describes the consultant working alongside the University Senate, but the request was routed through the Strategic Procurement Office and not through the Senate. The oversight of academic programs is a core function of the Senate, and enrolment planning is normally provided by the Office of the Registrar.
Faculty are concerned that Senate and academic staff will be asked to implement the recommendations and not design them, as the external firm would be working under a mandate defined by the senior administration tasked with making recommendations.
The memo stated that external consultants are contracted at “an extra cost amid severe financial challenges to academic programs and for work normally done within the institution.”
The memo pointed to other examples, including the use of external consultants for an employee survey at a cost of $80,950, and the use of the firm KBRS to assist with the search for an Associate Vice-President (People and Culture).
The memo stated, “At a time when academic staff members are losing their jobs, members have questions and deep concerns about these spending priorities.”
The memo stated that anyone with additional concerns about the RFP or information that the MUNFA Executive should be aware of can email munfa@mun.ca.
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