Memorial University of Newfoundland has opposed a government plan to convert its Corner Brook campus to an independent university.

Sir Wilfred Grenfell College offers degree programs at its Corner Brook campus, but is administered through Memorial University.
(CBC)

Education Minister Joan Burke, however, says government is not only softening its stand on the issue, but would like to see Sir Wilfred Grenfell College become independent by next year.

Memorial president Axel Meisen said a single university still makes sense for the entire province.

"From my perspective, the greatest concern is really the impact on students," Meisen said.

"Students have repeatedly said both on our St. John's campus and our Grenfell campus that they like the ability to transfer credits and to transfer from one campus to the other."

Gil Dalton, who chairs the university's board of regents, said the university supports more autonomy for the Grenfell campus, but said the provincial government needs to do more homework first.

"There needs to be a refinement of the overall cost of the second university," said Dalton.

Education Minister Joan Burke says she would like to see Grenfell College become independent by fall 2008.
(CBC)

"It doesn't make any sense at this point in time to duplicate costs across the two universities."

The Newfoundland and Labrador government announced its intentions to make Grenfell independent in its spring budget.

Burke told CBC News that the government remains set in its course, and advised the university — which operates independently, but is dependent on the provincial government for much of its revenue — to prepare for change.

"I certainly respect the board of regents and the fact they expressed their opinion, but I'm also certainly willing to work with them as we make changes to the structure at Memorial University," she said.

Burke said the university's concerns about issues about budget, sharing of services and transferability of credits will be dealt with in the coming year.

"I'd certainly like to have them ready for the next academic year," she said.

Faculty at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, as well as community leaders on Newfoundland's west coast, have been lobbying for years for greater independence from Memorial.