On Oct. 7, UFV president Dr. James Mandigo revealed sobering preliminary numbers during a budget town hall meeting, with a projected $21.4 million shortfall in 2026/27.
Many post-secondary institutions are financially struggling after Federal policy changes slowed visa approvals and capped international student intake. Mandigo explained at town hall that while UFV is below the provincial average, collapsing international enrollments are projected to drop 25 per cent this year instead of 10.3 per cent, resulting in a $5.1 million deficit for 2025/26.
Although UFV planned for the smaller deficit, this new development underscores their reliance on international tuition in a volatile policy environment. UFV administrators have reduced travel and discretionary spending to help balance the 2025 budget, nevertheless, the greater challenge ahead demands drastic change.
Enrollments are UFV’s primary revenue source, and while domestic enrollments are growing, they fail to offset the loss of international tuition, which is around four times the domestic rate. The provincial block grant continues unchanged, and despite fee increases, a $20.1 million deficit remains.
UFV’s Chief Financial Officer, Nicole Adams provided further insight, and explained how the shortfall would be distributed and administered at UFV.
“Yes, faculties are going to be affected by that shortfall, but there’s a very specific allocation of how our budget model works — it’s distributed throughout the faculties [and administration]. But at this time, I don’t think it would be fair for me to share specific information.”
She added that while there is a budget model, the figures are not final. Faculties will still develop and present their own budgets, and the distribution adjustments may change once reviewed.
UFV is legally required to present a balanced budget as revenues must match expenses and any deficit will need ministry approval and a mitigation plan.
Greg Mather, the president of the Faculty & Staff Association (FSA), said they anticipated a deficit, as other provincial universities were already facing cuts and layoffs. He said the FSA had been in discussions with UFV for several months about when the announcement would be made official. The union was formally informed of the figures just before the town hall in October.
“We held a session for folks to come [after the town hall] for our faculty and staff to be with each other and ask questions … I can only speak for myself, but I felt a little overwhelmed, and at one point, I got a little teary-eyed because I was also processing this really significant news and impact.”
The upcoming 2026/27 deficit is so significant that even with mitigation strategies, layoffs at UFV are unavoidable, Mather explained. He added that the university can sometimes prevent formal layoffs, due to “silent layoffs” of sessional and contract faculty.
President Mandigo commented that sessional job losses aren’t formally considered layoffs because they’re tied to enrollment and course assignments. However, he acknowledged that fewer international students will mean less sections and contracts.
Students usually see faculty and staff as mentors, said Mather, and not as contractors. Layoffs of sessionals and staff through budget cuts could have a profound impact on them. Mathers believes students should be aware of this and speak up to support those who matter most to their education.
“That faculty member who has been here 10 years and is sessional, maybe at the end of the semester, that’s the last time they’re gonna have a contract with UFV … it sounds silly, but it goes so far as to check in with that faculty member that you have a good connection with and ask how they’re doing. Because I know they care about you folks. But a lot of them are putting on very brave faces, going into class, and doing the work they have to do.”
He emphasized UFV’s strength lies in its small classes and close student-professor relationships, though financial pressures may lead to larger classes, fewer sections, and faculty. Mathers noted the FSA is bargaining with UFV, and while he hopes it runs smoothly, job action may occur to protect education quality. He stressed the importance of students understanding this and sees the Student Union Society (SUS) as a key ally in advocacy.
Tuition is expected to rise as UFV faces a deficit. While B.C.’s tuition policy caps domestic increases at two per cent annually, no such limits apply to international students. According to Mandigo, UFV typically keeps international tuition increases within 3–5 per cent.
SUS President Bilal Faisal said he’s actively advocating for tuition caps on new international students — both with UFV and at the provincial level. He expressed that students shouldn’t be used to balance UFV’s deficit — if tuition rises, it must come with a greater justification.
“The basic rule is that if you increase something, you see an increase not only in the amount you’re paying, but also an increase in what you’re getting out of it.”
Mather believes students have power to influence how UFV handles its deficit by speaking out, demanding transparency, and working with SUS to find ways they can safeguard the quality of their education and campus services. Angelina Joseph, a student representative on both the Board of Governors and Senate, concurred, highlighting the importance of student presence at meetings and decision-making spaces.
“Even if you have no idea as to what’s happening, show up … because the more of a crowd there is, the more people who are leading us will understand [the] importance it has in these people’s lives.”
Mather hopes for the FSA to partner and advocate with students and other associations, to minimize harm from the crisis, and create support across the UFV community.
“This community is going through a lot, and we all need to support one another right now.”
Mandigo also emphasized UFV’s budgetary principles of transparency, accountability, and core values of community, and solidarity.
“It’s part of our community and our values here at UFV that we come together as [a] community, not only during times to celebrate but also during challenging times.”
At the town hall, Mandigo opened the room for feedback and suggestions from faculty and staff to help save money. Some of which were included in his report at the Nov. 14 Senate Public meeting. However, the student body was not invited to the October town hall where this information was disclosed. And with the October Senate Public Meeting cancellation, students had limited ways to access this data.
On Nov. 14 The Cascade’s editor-in-chief, Darien Johnsen, asked at Senate why UFV waited so long to release this information to students. Mandigo reassured that there was no deliberate withholding of information and pointed to existing communication efforts.
Joseph criticized the lack of communication between UFV leadership and students as they are only hearing about issues by word of mouth.
“All of that [information] is coming to [students] through the grapevine, and I don’t find that fair … because it’s affecting them.”
Mandigo has committed to finding better ways to engage and inform students going forward.
“If this is something that students would like more information about, I’m happy to speak with them and my team’s happy to speak with them as well.”
Mandigo confirmed that no decisions have been made about closures and that budget mitigation efforts are ongoing. Although serious, he believes UFV can find solutions beforehand.
“I know the unknown is probably the most fearful thing, but we’ve got some very smart, dedicated people who are looking at this with a lot of care for people, programs, and students to find ways to balance that budget.”
The Oct. 7 town hall meeting has now been published on the budget website and is accessible for students. The official budget estimates are available in March 2026 and The Cascade will continue to update the student body as changes occur.
