STUSU Response to the Reduction and Vacancy of Student Services
ST. THOMAS UNIVERISTY STUDENTS’ UNION
Media contact: Camila Baquerizo Bayona, Vice- President Education
Phone: 506 897 4103
Email: su_vped@stu.ca
Release Date:
September 7th, 2025
Fredericton, NB — The St. Thomas University Students’ Union (STUSU) is calling on the provincial government and university administration to urgently restore essential student services that have been cut or left vacant.
Over the past year, positions such as the International Student Coordinator, LGBTQ+ Coordinator, Student Success Coach, and Cultural Diversity Coordinator have been eliminated or remain unfilled; roles critical to student well-being, retention, and success.
National data shows students are facing record financial and personal pressures:
Average annual expenses have risen to nearly $29,000.
75% of students report affordability concerns; 20% used a food bank last semester.
International students are disproportionately affected, with over half skipping meals due to cost.
One in three students rates their mental health as poor, with marginalized groups hit hardest.
“These statistics are lived realities on our campus,” said STUSU. “Cutting dedicated support staff undermines student success at a time when students need help the most.”
Behind every cut is a student who feels its impact. When positions disappear, it’s not just services that vanish—it’s also, in some cases, a job that helps students pay rent, voices that make them feel represented, and safe spaces where they find belonging. The loss of these opportunities leaves students more isolated and struggling, while the staff who remain are stretched so thin that burnout is becoming inevitable. That’s not just a workplace issue—it’s a student issue, because when the people we rely on to support us can no longer keep going, our entire campus community suffers.
STUSU believes student services must be prioritized. “We listen to our students and understand their needs. The financial decisions made by the administration have not reflected the best interests of students,” the Union stated. “We want our community to know that we care for our staff and are advocating for them because supporting our staff is the foundation of a better student life.”
STUSU urges the university and government to:
Restore or replace eliminated positions with qualified staff and funding.
Review budget priorities with student representation to protect essential services.
Advocate for increased provincial funding for post-secondary education.
“This is not only a St. Thomas issue, it reflects a national trend,” STUSU added. “Protecting student supports is an investment in academic achievement, institutional resilience, and the common good.”
About STUSU
The St. Thomas University Students’ Union represents all undergraduate students at St. Thomas University, advocating for accessible, high-quality education and the resources students need to succeed.