B.C. advanced education minister gets earful from Capilano University art students and faculty

Not well-informed citizens, not compassionate human beings, not creative problem-solvers... Virk and his ilk just want productive tax payers. At least he's honest about it. This is what's wrong with all politicians...they serve the (corrupt) system and not the people. Our leadership is morally bankrupt and it's depressing as hell.

This guy has absolutely no clue what he is talking about. Textile artists can make tons of money and employ hundreds of people.

the world would be a very boring place without artists. plus who is going to make your lattes and serve your dinner if we're all investment bankers, corporate lackeys or insurance salespeople?

Being a part of one of the programs that are being cut at CapilanoU makes me feel not wanted from the rest of the University. I am here doing what I love but now I'm told it's not important and doesn't make money. I'm not doing it for money, he shouldn't be either! Since when is education about money? That's all this backwards system wants and the Minister made that clear. They really aren't doing anything to help us, I understand times are dire with the "$1.00" analogy but in reality most of the programs that are being cut have been self sufficient and very successful. Just ask, why?

I wish he had of answered George's question.

It's unfortunate that the minister feel compelled to imply that artists don't pay taxes. If he's concerned about tax revenue, it might be more effective to drop commerce and business courses, given the enormous tax break his party's government gave to the financial sector a few years ago.

Typical contradictory, incoherent government and administration stances. The Cap admin says, or implies, that Studio Art is being cut because it duplicates programs at Emily Carr etc. (I.e., art programs are good, but not at Cap). Virk says, or implies, that art programs are no good because they don't lead to jobs. Meanwhile Cap's Studio Art program is not only excellent but quite distinct from that at Emily Carr; and it leads to jobs. The government is so obsessed with austerity for its own sake that it can't see the reality that we need people with high-level, diverse skills in this province.

Arts GDP contribution is one of the largest - that's a fact . The Arts = fine arts , dance ,textile / fashion music , film , animation , advertizng ...
political decision making and lies ( one in the same ) costs us more money than it will ever contribute in skillful management of options in this current arrangement of corporate ass kissing .
Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk is wrong and just another Harpercon uneducated Ford nation fool , what ever comes out of there mouths is B.S.plain and simple .

to cover a 1% shortfall, the university is cutting $3.1 million in programs, cancelling 211 courses, and cutting entire programs, without a clearly stated plan.

Capilano University is dedicated to higher education, yet this is not apparent in the actions the University is taking to cut costs. Over the last 5 years admin costs and FTEs have gone up, while faculty expenses have gone down. Originally the Administration promised to teach out students from the effected programs, which is required and mandated in the university act teach out policy, but as it turns out they have cut the students pre requisite courses, meaning that the majority of students in these programs can’t graduate with their diplomas or degrees.

Squamish chamber President tells Board of Governors of a phone call asking him not to attend town hall meeting.

At Capilano University's Board of Governors meeting on Tues, Nov 19, 2013, Chris Pettingill, president of the Squamish Chamber of Commerce, was in the audience and was given a chance to speak. Mr. Pettingill's organization is a member of the Blue Ribbon Committee and he was a panelist at a recent event held in North Vancouver titled "Reconnecting the Community with Capilano University."  Mr. Pettingill told the Board that he found the event of significant value and he hoped Cap's Board members would attend future Blue Ribbon events. He also expressed disappointment that no one from Capilano University’s administration accepted the invitation to participate in the event.
Mr. Pettingill then informed the Board that he had been contacted by a high-level representative of the University (whom he chose not to name) prior to the Nov 13 community gathering. This representative of the university had strongly encouraged him and his organization to withdraw from Blue Ribbon committee activities and not to attend the Nov 13 town hall event. This was a serious disappointment to Mr. Pettingill and something he felt the Board should be made aware of.