As I shared in my email last week, I remain committed to timely and transparent communication with our community during this period of transition.
The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills has confirmed that VIU’s Board of Governors has approved a cash and financial framework audit to be conducted by an external auditor procured by the Ministry. This financial audit will begin no later than mid-April and conclude by late May. The audit will analyze VIU’s cashflows, financial state, financial processes (particularly around forecasting) and employee position control systems.
I welcome this review and see it as a positive opportunity to work alongside the Ministry to strengthen VIU’s financial infrastructure and future sustainability planning. In addition, with the support of the Board of Governors, I have engaged Deloitte to conduct an independent review of the Deficit Mitigation Plan (DMP). This audit will:
- Examine significant actions implemented as part of the DMP.
- Validate the financial impact of these actions.
- Assess oversight and monitoring activities.
- Evaluate the feasibility of remaining deficit mitigation efforts, including addressing the current $11.65 million gap in reaching our $18 million target.
- Provide recommendations to support both DMP and financial stability.
The Ministry and the Board of Governors have approved conducting both audits concurrently. As part of our commitment to good governance, the audit reports and any resulting recommendations will first be reviewed by the Board through the appropriate channels. Once that process is complete, we will share the outcomes and next steps with the VIU community.
I believe these audits are a testament to the Ministry’s and VIU Board of Governors’ support for VIU’s future and serve as recognition for the critical role we play in our community, the region, and beyond. We have an opportunity to learn from these audits and apply those insights to strengthen VIU’s future. In the meantime, we will continue working toward finalizing our 2025-26 budget and furthering our deficit mitigation efforts.
I also want to take a moment to acknowledge the conversations and questions surrounding VIU’s financial situation. Transparency and collaboration are essential as we move forward, and I want to assure you that while these are challenging times, there are brighter days ahead.
While uncertainty can give rise to speculation, I want to be clear: VIU is not filing for bankruptcy, nor is it closing. Legally and statutorily, that is not possible for public post-secondary institutions in British Columbia. As a public institution, our financial status is directly tied to the province, and we remain accountable to the government.
I’d like to dispel any speculation that the Ministry has an underlying agenda - these audits are solely intended to verify our financial data, assess our DMP efforts to date, and ensure we are meeting our $18 million target. We must get our house in order, and these audits will help the Ministry and the Board of Governors determine the best way to support VIU moving forward. I encourage you to review our new Budget Website, which has a frequently asked question section that is updated on an ongoing basis.
Further to the communication last week to the VIU Community about the leadership transition in the President role, the VIU Board Chair has given me permission to share the following update. On Monday, March 31, the VIU Board met to talk about next steps. Following a briefing on the timelines associated with recruitment and being advised that a full presidential search will take 18-24 months, the Board decided to immediately commence recruitment for an Acting President for an 18–24-month term under the Board’s authority to appoint an Acting President under the University Act. The Board is working to have this Acting President in place as soon as possible, likely by early summer. Once the Acting President is in place, the Board will turn its attention to commencing a full search for VIU’s next President, who will be appointed following a thorough search process that engages the university community.
If you have questions about the Board’s recruitment plans or processes, please contact Board@viu.ca. In the meantime, while the Board’s recruitment is ongoing, I will continue to serve as the Acting University President pursuant to VIU Policy (11.29).
Lastly, I am pleased to share more details regarding the Acting President’s Roundtables for VIU employees. The first session is set for Tuesday, April 15, from 10 to 11:30 am in the Royal Arbutus Room (RAR), followed by a second session on Tuesday, April 22, from 2 to 3:30 PM in the same location. Please mark your calendars and drop in as your schedule allows – no RSVP required. I look forward to meeting with many of you in person to discuss these matters in greater detail. Your questions, ideas and perspectives are vital as we move forward.
My deepest gratitude to all of you for your messages of support and continued dedication to VIU. With collective effort, I believe we will emerge stronger and more sustainable for the years ahead.
Sincerely,
Emily Huner, CPA, CMA, MBA (she/her)
Acting President
Vancouver Island University
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