Vancouver Island University’s Students’ Union Board of Directors is calling for the removal of the school’s president amidst allegations of financial mismanagement, and failed leadership.
According to the union, they have passed a motion which was put forward by the board asking VIU’s Board of Governors to take immediate action to restore ethical, accountable and student-centered leadership on Feb. 21, and with the university’s financial position deteriorating they’re demanding President Deborah Saucier to step down.
“VIU’s financial position has deteriorated dramatically under her leadership,” they say. “The university has nearly drained its financial reserves, and later in 2025 it’ll be forced to rely on short-term provincial funding to meet payroll and expenses.
“Meanwhile, instead of making responsible financial choices, in 2024 the administration spent over $900,000 on additional security and PR consultants while denying key projects and reducing or cutting student services.”
Student Union director Maggie Velisek says students have already seen an erosion of key academic and services, and the financial deterioration is just another step towards increasing the stress of students.
“Students are struggling to access academic advising, mental health resources, and even basic campus facilities like the library,” she says. “At the same time, we see wasteful spending at the top, with no regard for the real need of students.
“It’s unacceptable, and that’s why we’re calling for new leadership at VIU.”
According to the union, VIU led the country in several key areas but the whole system is in collapse and is playing a huge impact not just on campus, but across the island.
“The collapse of the Student Information System (SIS) modernization project has wasted resources and delayed critical student service improvements,” they say. “The student housing project is now two years behind schedule and $20 million over budget, worsening Nanaimo’s already dire housing crisis.
“The cancellation of the Centre for Reconciliation Excellence (CoRE), a major daycare project, has left students, parents and the wider community without access to essential childcare spaces.”
Leah Vaissanen, another union director, says students are at risk and that puts the university’s future at risk.
“Students are paying more while receiving less, all while being shut out of the conversation,” she says. “This is not just a student issue, the mismanagement of VIU will have huge impacts on the broader community if the administration continues down this path.”
The union represents over 8000 undergraduate and graduate students, across three campuses.
VistaRadio has reached out to VIU and the Student Union for comment.
