Is Newfoundland & Labrador Losing its Culture?

Is Memorial University cutting ties with everything Newfoundland? Could this be the next cut to our culture?

Remember when we used to say Memorial University of Newfoundland? Now, we just say, Memorial University. They dropped the Newfoundland because Labrador was not included, rather than adding it. It happened around the same time they decided to stop singing the Ode to Newfoundland.

The University stopped singing the "Ode" at convocations in 2022 to foster a more inclusive, "safer" environment, citing the anthem's omission of Labrador, its use of outdated language, and its failure to represent the entire student body. The decision was aimed at improving inclusivity for indigenous, Labradorians, and international students. Yet no complaints from international students were found, and nobody stepped forward to say they felt “unsafe” by the words to the Ode. 

The MUN Senate voted to reinstate the Ode to Newfoundland last year.

MUN has ended or paused more than a dozen academic programs over the past year. They’re blaming poor enrolment for many of the cuts.

Several faculties are affected, including business, nursing, humanities and social sciences, and programs at the Marine Institute and Grenfell Campus in Corner Brook.

MUN has money problems. It is selling several properties and slashing vice-president positions. We had too many vice presidents anyway. How many of them even lived in this province?

The government has reinstated a tuition freeze until the university gets its finances in order. But why are they in financial straits? Should the Government of NL request a forensic audit to review the books and determine who was controlling the money, how, and where it went?

Six diploma and certificate programs are being cut, including the Newfoundland and Labrador studies program.

MUN says it is due to low enrollment. So, where do Newfoundlanders and Labradorians go now to learn about our culture and history? The courses will be offered at times, but not as a certificate.

What’s the difference?

The issue is that earning a certificate is generally more beneficial to a student than taking individual courses because it provides structure. It provides expertise that employers recognize as a validated skill set. Yes, you can still take the individual courses, but you won’t earn the credentials that signal to employers you have a higher level of competence and commitment to professional development.

As a thought, why not offer the Newfoundland and Labrador Studies Certificate as both a high school program and an MUN program? It would give high school students credit for university courses, and maybe, just maybe, they would learn to love and respect their history and culture more.

Memorial University of Newfoundland was named to honour the Newfoundlanders who lost their lives in active service during the First World War, and later to include those who lost their lives in the Second World War.

This university is a living memorial to the war dead, like the National War Memorial on Duckworth Street. Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador was created to blend the memory of fallen soldiers with a brighter future through education for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Have they forgotten their mandate?