Capilano University Faculty Rallies Against Cuts To Programs and Services
NORTH VANCOUVER, May 13, 2013 /CNW/ - Students, staff and faculty will rally at Capilano University at 5pm Tuesday calling on the University's Board of Governors to reject a destructive budget proposed by President Kris Bulcroft. The Board meets at 7pm to make its decision.
If approved, cuts to areas such as Adult Basic Education (ABE), Community Development and Outreach (CDO), and Family Focus would reduce or eliminate programs, courses and services for vulnerable and marginalized individuals and communities.
The budget cuts would also see the elimination of the Studio and Textile Arts programs, the German Language program, the Computing Science program, the highly successful Illustration/Design: Elements and Applications (IDEA) program, as well as courses in Philosophy, Pure and Applied Sciences, Social Sciences, and many others.
Tuesday's rally is the culmination of two weeks of letter writing, picketing, and lobbying since the cuts were announced on April 24th.
On May 7th a galvanized university community persuaded the University's Senate to vote against recommending the budget to the Board, citing insufficient time to evaluate the budget and the absence of an academic plan. Despite repeated calls for clarification, President Bulcroft has been unable to provide specific criteria for her decisions. The organizing work of the university community prompted North Vancouver NDP candidate Craig Keating BC and NDP leader Adrian Dix to call on the Board to suspend its decision until after the provincial election. The Federation of Post-Secondary Educators (FPSE) has also called on the Board to postpone decision on the budget, and is seriously considering a lawsuit in BC Supreme Court if the Board goes ahead.
Tuesday's rally will take place in front of the Library building, where Board members eat their supper prior to the meeting. Protestors plan to attend the meeting when it begins at 7pm.
SOURCE: Capilano University Faculty Association
Phillip Legg at 604-788-2877
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