Capilano University faculty members plan to rally together amid frustration over proposed cuts to visual arts and other programs.

English instructor Tim Acton said an informal “protest picnic” is planned around noon on Thursday (May 9).

He said the event will likely take place outside the president’s office on the main campus in North Vancouver.

Faculty and students have expressed opposition to a university proposal to shut down a variety of programs as part of plan to eliminate a projected $1.3-million budget shortfall.

“Yes, there’s a budget problem, and we understand that. For the local solution, what we want to see is some kind of consultation like we used to have,” Acton told the Straight by phone today (May 8).

“We’ve lost programs in the past. You just want to be involved in the process. You want to be able to discuss it,” he said.

The Capilano Faculty Association is also holding a meeting tomorrow open to students and staff titled “The Demise of the Public University: Collegiality and this Year’s Budget.”