A group of people with a stake in Capilano University's future is trying to steer the school out of having another painful budget crisis and resulting cuts to programs.
In April, the university cut several non-degree-granting programs to cover a $1.3 million budget shortfall. The entire adult basic education program at the university's Squamish campus was among those to be cut.
Critics of the cuts have been vocal since the cuts were made. What's more, the institution's troubles have been the subject of lobbying efforts by Squamish business leaders.
Capilano University is really important to Squamish, said Chris Pettingill, chair of the Squamish Chamber of Commerce. You hear people talk about it and they have a real affection for it. We are trying to make sure we have a voice.
Pettingill has had sit-downs with the MLAs that serve the North Shore and Sea to Sky Corridor to let them know how the university's identity crisis has affected local communities. Those meetings, he said, have been productive.
The MLAs that I've spoken to have been really receptive and willing to listen, Pettingill added. It's a pretty complicated issue. I don't think they can snap their fingers and have a solution, but my perception is they have really listened to us and somewhat behind the scenes are trying to see what they can do to make sure there is some sort of discussion.
With another budget shortfall on the horizon, a group calling itself the Blue Ribbon Committee was set to meet Wednesday evening (Nov. 13) to address the matter. Results of that meeting were unavailable at press time.
We really don't want the administration to commit the same mistake and we want them to consult with the community and all the different groups inside the university who are affected, said Laurel Whitney, a Capilano instructor and committee organizer.
The only consultation that happened the last time cuts were made came at the 11th hour and only after an uproar of protest from the affected faculties and their allies, Whitney said.
She added none of that did anything to swap Capilano's leaders from their positions, and said she fears the same could happen this year.
Again, there's no academic plan, she said, adding that the university has no criteria for which programs could be cut and which ones will be spared.
There's no vision that's shared, she said.
The worry is that if Capilano continues to be steered from the administration without guidance from prospective students or employers, it could soon end up no longer serving the needs of the community, Whitney said.
Most of Capilano's students come from North and West Vancouver secondary schools, Whitney noted.
Do they know we don't have computer science anymore? Do they know we don't have digital web design anymore? Do they know we don't have commerce anymore? she said.
West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Jordan Sturdy on Wednesday (Nov. 13) said he planned to attend a meeting of school administration and faculty on Friday (Nov. 15) to learn more about the issues and see what, if anything, he and other MLAs can do to help.
Sturdy said postsecondary education in the corridor is an important issue, but added that there's not likely to be new government money coming into the system in the short term.
The Government of British Columbia does intend to balance budget and I can reassure you that that remains a focus of our government. So there's not a lot of new money there, he said.
While he said he's willing to help facilitate an efficient, inclusive process, Sturdy added, I'm not sure we want to get into dictating the sorts of courses and programs that are offered.
University President Kris Bulcroft did not return phone calls seeking comment.
With files from David Burke/The Chief
