Post-secondary education report-launch addresses Ontario crisis

TORONTO, April 22, 2014 /CNW/ - A new report by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) on the future of post-secondary education in Ontario addresses a growing crisis at our colleges. A special launch event on Thursday, April 24, will address key issues including the long-term effects of chronic underfunding, privatization, under-staffing attacks on faculty academic freedom and increased student debt.

WHAT:	Report on Post-secondary Education in Ontario: launch event Panelists include: Erika Shaker, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives; Kevin MacKay, Mohawk College Faculty member and report author; Graeme Stewart, Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations; Alastair Woods, Canadian Federation of Students- Ontario. Moderated by JP Hornick, OPSEU College Faculty Division Chair and Professor at George Brown College.
WHEN:	Thursday, April 24, 6pm to 7pm reception with light supper, 7pm to 8:30 pm panel presentations and moderated discussion
WHERE:	The Sheraton Centre, Toronto, 123 Queen St. West, Civic Ballroom
NOTE:	This event is free of charge

"Our colleges are training the workers who drive the economy. Ontario students deserve to receive quality education and be treated with respect. That includes proper funding of public post-secondary education, small class sizes and reasonable tuition levels. We're talking about an investment that benefits the province as a whole," said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. "It's time to make post-secondary education a priority."

Researched and written by OPSEU member Kevin MacKay, a Social Sciences professor at Mohawk College, this new Report is in part a response to recent mandates from the provincial Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities.

"Ontario's 24 colleges are attracting more and more students, but their importance is not reflected in the funding provided. In the 1980s, the provincial government provided 75% of all college operating revenues.  Now it funds just 50%. " said Report author, Kevin MacKay.

Attendees at the Report launch event will include representatives of public sector education unions as well as college faculty, students and parents.

SOURCE: OPSEU

Kevin Mackay, OPSEU College Faculty, Report author  905-418-4843 [email protected]

Emily Visser, OPSEU Communications: 416-557-7936 [email protected]