The executioner has been told to wait for a month as Capilano University's administration voted this week not to axe many of its programs to make up a $1.3-million budget shortfall.
Capilano University's Board of Governors voted Tuesday (May 14) to put a hold on approving the proposed 2013-'14 budget. After faculty and students appealed for more consultation before cuts to arts, computer and ABE programs are implemented, the board voted to postpone the cuts until its June 11 meeting, giving officials four more weeks to research and possibly propose a new plan.
The proposed cuts include reductions to programs offered at the Cap U Squamish campus, including the elimination of the Adult Basic Education (ABE) program.
Legally, the university was required to hand out staff layoff notices by Wednesday (May 15). However, the notices can be rescinded if staff are no longer being laid off when the budget proposal comes back to the board.
Susan LeBlanc, an instructor at the Squamish campus and a member of the Capilano Faculty Association (CFA) executive, said many students and staff feel the board can find ways to balance the budget without such drastic programming cuts. The postponement should give them a chance to provide input and raise concerns about the proposed cuts' impacts, she said.
There's still a lot of work to do to figure out ways we can balance the budget without these substantial cuts to these important programs for people in the area from Squamish to Mount Currie, LeBlanc said. We as faculty representatives are committed to making this work in the interest of those who would be directly affected.
There's no reason for us to have to lose these great programs. It's really important for the future of Cap U programs, for Squamish and for the Sea to Sky, that we try to make this work.
On Monday (May 13), the B.C. Supreme Court adjourned an application by the B.C. Federation of Post-Secondary Educators for injunction to halt the proposed Cap U budget cuts, a move that would force the school to address concerns raised by the Squamish campus' ABE instructional staff. The board did not speak about the injunction Tuesday's meeting.
More than 100 students, teachers and members of the public packed a cafeteria on the North Vancouver campus to voice their concerns.
Cap U president Kris Bulcroft told the crowd officials face brutal decisions and have pursued every avenue to secure funding, such as seeking out increased government support, to no avail. However, she agreed more time is needed to fully investigate every option.
There are other recommendations that warrant the board's attention, she said.
As options, Bulcroft suggested trimming most ongoing capital funding projects, not replacing furniture, and not hiring for new positions that are critically needed in a number of areas.
Bulcroft's motion to delay the proposed budget was met with a standing ovation from those in attendance. More than 20 speakers who addressed the board said the postponement was what they were aiming for. But that didn't stop them from digging into what they called a deeper problem: communication.
Capilano staff and CFA members asked for greater collaborative efforts with the board in the future.
Looking around at the faculty here, I'm incredibly impressed by how intelligent, thoughtful, brilliant the faculty members are, said Dr. Justin Kalef of Cap U's philosophy department. I hope very much in the future that will become a part of the process more than it has so far.
The main points of contention raised by the speakers were a lack of consultation, short notice on cancelling programs and laying off staff, and being more creative with their budget.
Cap U student Taylor Smith said Capilano is special and that she wants the board not to damage what has become her second home.
This is not just an institution. Capilano is a home, she said. Capilano offers a diverse education which you could spend your whole life looking for.
The delay was formally supported by the District of West Vancouver council and Cap U's Senate, a collaboration of faculty, administrators and students that advises to the board of governors.
The proposed budget will affect 400 students including some not currently enrolled, Bulcoft said.
She stated the board's reasoning for these particular programs to be cut came down to their curriculum involving enrolments (the size of classes and speed of enrolment); revenue generated versus subsidy; synergy between other departments in school; and how many demographics the programs hit.
It is the long-term sustainability of this institution, that is in the best interest of all of us, she said.
In the weeks since the proposed budget was announced, Capilano students have protested the cuts by draping art pieces on campus in black cloth, as well as taking a chainsaw and sledgehammers to public art pieces installed on campus.
An online petition to stop the school from cutting programs has reached 8,000 signatures. For more information visit capilanofaculty.ca or capilanou.ca.
With files from David Burke, The Chief
