Budget cuts worry university students and leaders

Students and faculty at Edmonton universities are speaking out about deep cuts to their operating budgets.

Both MacEwan University and the University of Alberta are bracing for possible layoffs, larger class sizes and program cuts.

MacEwan president David Atkinson said job losses are possible, but he wants to prevent the loss of programs. 

"We don’t really want to cut our programs," he said. "I think that it’s as simple as that."

Nursing student Jilisa Chenard says that smaller class sizes is what she loves about MacEwan.

"I think that’s what made the biggest difference because it’s really important to have that one-on-one time with your instructor," she said.

Click on the picture to see more in a report from the CBC’s Scott Fralick.