‘Learnings’ to come from failed BU project

Brandon University’s review of its failed $5-million Enterprise Resource Planning project should serve as a guide for stronger oversight in future post-secondary projects, Manitoba Advanced Education Minister Renée Cable told the Sun.

The university recently received a consultant’s report on the ERP project that points to flawed software selection, poor vendor assessment and weak governance as the root causes of the project’s failure.

Although the project collapsed after more than $5 million was spent, the minister said the province will not interfere directly with BU’s operations, adding that the government is working to strengthen the oversight role of university boards.

“From day one, we’ve respected the autonomy of our institutions. They have a board of governors for oversight, and engaging a third-party review was necessary,” Cable said, referring to BDO Canada’s report on the failed system.

“The learnings from that will not only inform the path for BU but will also help inform the sector more broadly,” she said.

Cable said the provincial government expects better management of future large-scale initiatives.

“Every Manitoban has the right to expect that with public institutions and public dollars, projects move forward in the best way possible and that they’re managed properly,” she said.

The ERP project, initiated under the previous Progressive Conservative government, “was never really set up for success,” Cable added.

She said her government is focused on collaboration with institutions and pointed to ongoing investments in the region, including renovations at BU’s Brodie Science Centre, the Prairie Innovation Centre at Assiniboine College and medical training expansions.

Launched in 2020 under the “Renew BU” initiative, the ERP project was intended to modernize the university’s academic and administrative record systems by replacing its outdated 1978 homegrown software. After four years and millions spent on development, the project was officially halted in early 2024, leaving BU without a functional system.

Students, meanwhile, are still paying “Renew BU fees,” which were expected to partially fund the failed ERP project. The undergraduate fee table for students for the 2024-25 academic year lists a “Renew BU fee” of $35.70.

The decision to keep the fee in place was made by the university’s board of governors, BU spokesperson Grant Hamilton told the Sun on Monday.

“There are a couple of misconceptions,” Hamilton said. “Firstly, students do not pay secret fees. The ‘Renew BU’ fee has always been public since its inception in January 2020, and all students pay the fee.”

Hamilton confirmed the fee was “to cover ongoing operating costs” and other associated costs of the ERP project.

“Although the overall project didn’t meet its full goals, thanks to hard work by ITS staff at BU, we have seen some welcome technology upgrades, including new software in some areas and significant updates to stabilize our legacy system,” he said.

“It is, of course, common for students to pay fees to help fund future and ongoing improvements — and our current students benefit from fees that were paid in the past. Two examples that come to mind are the Knowles-Douglas Centre and the HLC.”

Brandon University Students’ Union president Charles Adamu did not respond to requests for comment.

Cable, meanwhile, said she is optimistic about BU’s future under incoming president Christine Cnossen, who is expected to begin this month.

“It’s an exciting time for Brandon University and for students in Westman,” she said.

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