The Memorial University of Newfoundland Students’ Union Board of Directors unanimously approved its 2026-2027 preliminary budget at its second meeting of the 2026-2027 term.
According to the Board Meeting Report, the proposed budget projects an overall organizational deficit of $115,398. If realized, that would be a substantial improvement from its $249,814 deficit in 2025-2026 and its $363,171 deficit in 2024-2025.
The proposed deficit of $115,398 represents an improvement of $134,416 compared to the 2025-2026 deficit.
The budget was presented by Executive Director of Finance Nathan Gillingham and marks the first budget voted on by the Board of Directors since the 2021-22 fiscal year.
In a letter to the Board of Directors, Gillingham stated that the budget reflects “a continued effort to stabilize the financial position of MUNSU while maintaining core student services, advocacy initiatives, campus programming, and operational supports for our members.”
MUNSU is currently undergoing restructuring, including the discontinuation of CHMR-FM as a MUNSU service, resulting in a $298,453 reduction in budget expenditures.
The report notes that ongoing restructuring creates uncertainty regarding staffing, administrative responsibilities, and future budget projections. Salary, benefits, and severance projections remain uncertain due to restructuring activities.
MUNSU has created a new $30,000 contingency fund to “strengthen financial resilience.”
The preliminary budget will be refined further as the impacts of the restructuring become clearer, with updated financial projections to inform the fall operating budget.
View the report below:
Matt Barter is a graduate of the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, holding a degree in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, taking walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.
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