Nova Scotia's program review of universities moves closer to possible cuts, leaving faculties 'anxious'

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeAtlantic CanadaNewsNova ScotiaHalifax Nova Scotia's program review of universities moves closer to possible cuts, leaving faculties 'anxious' Reports on university programs' financial viability are due on October 15 Author of the article: By Emma Breton Published Aug 28, 2026 Last updated 26 minutes ago 5 minute read Mathew Reichertz, president of the Association of Nova Scotia University Teachers, poses for a photo near his Halifax home on Thursday. PHOTO BY RYAN TAPLIN /The Chronicle Herald Article content It’s been a year and a half since a bill passed to give the provincial government the power to make changes at Nova Scotia universities. Yet faculty members are still in the dark about what could come next. Article content Mathew Reichertz, president of the Association of Nova Scotia University Teachers (ANSUT), said the passing of Bill 12 in March 2025 gave the government “real influence” over the province’s university programs. Article content Article content Article content The province’s first move? To gather data on the financial viability of each academic program in each university. Article content Academic program reviews focus on financial impact Article content The process entails universities compiling assessment reports, using the framework of U.S. firm Huron Consulting. The reports are financially focused and compare the cost of a program or class against Huron’s research of the labour market to examine the financial viability of each program. Article content The review process is designed to “ensure programs remain relevant, sustainable and aligned with student demand and labour market needs,” wrote a spokesperson for the Department of Advanced Education in an emailed statement to The Chronicle Herald. Article content Reichertz said faculty members have had to “bend over backwards” to get reports in by the deadline of Oct. 15, while also preparing for a new school year. He said this is taking away preparation and research time from faculty members. Article content It is up to universities to determine the best method to compile the information. Some are having departments prepare their own reports, some have a committee prepare them and some smaller universities have appointed one faculty member to do it all. Article content Article content A student walks along the Dalhousie University campus in…