| Summary: | Canadian universities are experiencing a time of financial uncertainty and stress.
How they cope in the next few years will have an impact on their leadership and management
in the future. This thesis explores the financial challenge facing Canadian universities in the
1990s, strategies used to deal with financial uncertainty, and options for generating new
sources of income (i.e., outside government, student fees and endowments). The primary
research question investigated is: How can Canadian universities generate wealth through
new income sources and what internal and external factors affect a university's ability to do
so?
This thesis is a case study of Memorial University of Newfoundland. Documents,
reports, and speeches originating from Memorial University detailing financial stress were
analyzed. In addition, from March to October 1997, interviews were conducted with twenty-five
members of Memorial University's community. Interviewees represented members of
the Board of Regents, members of Senior Administration, other administrators, faculty, and
one student leader. The interview process was used to determine how successful Memorial
University has been in responding to financial stress; whether income generation is possible
for this university, and in what areas; and macro issues that impact the ability of the
institution to generate new financial options for the future. These macro issues include the
strengths and weaknesses of the university, cultural changes that may occur in a university
that pursues new income sources, and the benefits and negative implications associated with
generating new wealth.
This case study found that income generation is possible and it may lead to greater
flexibility in operations for universities. However, it is unlikely to make up for the severity
of financial cuts that have been realized. This study also found that understanding the
context in which the university operates and internal operations of the university are key to
understanding both financial stress and the conditions that impact revenue generation. This
study concludes with recommendations for further research and implications for policy and
practice within universities. === Education, Faculty of === Educational Studies (EDST), Department of === Graduate
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