The University will undergo changes which may not be comfortable with people but this cannot be helped if we are to have a balanced budget for next year.

Vice Chancellor for the University of the South Pacific, Professor Rajesh Chandra during the graduation ceremony of 776 students yesterday revealed that over the past three years the University has been producing a deficit budget, amounting to $7.6 million dollars, which has consumed most of their financial reserves leaving the University vulnerable.

In his address, Chandra admitted that some contributing factors as to why these difficulties arose was due to the  granting of  salary increases to academic and comparable staff without being covered by Government grants and the establishment  of new positions without these being provided for.

Chandra also revealed that the University was told after the Regional Ministers of Finance meeting in June this year to control its expenditure and to take decisive action to make sure that its financial viability.

Earlier this week, Intermediate and Junior staff Union walked off their jobs after concerns over the future of their jobs as part of the restructure the University was undergoing.