Open letter: Stop sweeping cuts at Capilano University

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      The following is an open letter written on behalf of the Capilano University Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

      Dear Students, Alumni, Parents, and Concerned Citizens,

      What’s Going On?

      By now you have heard of the sweeping cuts taking place at Capilano University. These cuts were selected by administrators without input from faculty members. Most faculty members were shocked by the approach taken to the cuts. If passed, this budget will seriously impact access to post-secondary education for many and deeply corrode valuable, long-established connections between CapU and the community. It’s not too late to stop them.

      Why Did Cap U Do This?

      The cuts were forced on the University by years of underfunding from the provincial government, typical annual shortfalls were $2 to $3 million. The University has had to cut programs year after year for many years. Support services such as computer services, counseling and the library are underfunded. The University has not been able to raise fees more than 2% per year due to provincial government restrictions.

      Cuts are to the following programs:

      Suspension of admission (for Fall 2013/14 academic year)

      • Applied Business Technology (online courses)
      • Interactive Design diploma program
      • Medical Office Assistant certificate
      • Studio Art diploma
      • Textile Arts diploma

      The second year of any 2-year programs will continue to be offered in the 2013/14 academic year.

      Suspension of Post Diploma

      • Advanced Ceramics
      • Art Institute certificate
      • Guided Imagery in Music certificate

      Suspension of Short & Summer Courses

      • Foundations in Illustration and Design certificate
      • Animation Fundamentals Citation
      • Computer Animation and Visual Effects citation

      Reduction in a selection of general course offerings

      • Arts & Sciences, including Commerce transfer and Computing Science transfer

      Offered in alternate years

      • Access to Work
      • Conducting Certificate

      Squamish Campus

      • Suspension of Adult Basic Education offerings – ABE will continue to be offered at Capilano University's North Vancouver and Sunshine Coast campuses.
      • Adjustment in community development and outreach initiatives

      Sunshine Coast Campus

      • Reduction in some general course offerings

      How Can I Help?

      Write! Tell the government to increase the funding to Capilano University by $2 to $3 million per year so that the University can continue to provide excellent programs, and support students in their studies. Write to Premier Christy Clark premier@gov.bc.ca and Opposition Leader Adrian Dix adrian.dix.mla@leg.bc.ca and tell them you support the increased funding to keep excellent programs operating at Capilano University.

      See also:

      Speak out!

      This is an election issue. Our voices have a rare power at this moment. Students and their families are invited to join us at our rally today (April 30) at the all candidates meeting for the North Vancouver-Lonsdale riding. Event information: At St. Andrews United Church, 1044 St. Georges Avenue (view map), on Tuesday, April 30, 7:00-9:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.).

      Comments

      4 Comments

      BR

      May 2, 2013 at 1:45pm

      Unafforable houisng costs are driving people away. This results in lower tax revenue for the province. Lower tax revenue in turn causes cut like this.

      People who are concerned about this need to connect the dots.

      Treed Murray

      May 2, 2013 at 3:49pm

      Cap U. is dumbing down education. Apparently, the Arts are not profitable enough. Cap U. will keep what the corporate industry will fund and sponsor, ie. Mountain Bike Operations course(???) Trading productive creativity for ecological destructivity? Way to go, Cap U.!

      Otmjaiml

      May 2, 2013 at 11:55pm

      what ever happened to basic tenet of of so called fact checkin - this is so far off real info. cap is great.

      Martin Dunphy

      May 3, 2013 at 12:41am

      Otmjaiml:

      If you think the above commentary contains errors in fact, then please enlighten Straight readers as to their identity.
      Otherwise...