The College of New Caledonia, faced with a 2.8 million dollar budget shortfall, is moving to what is called a one college model…which for the Quesnel campus will mean job losses and a loss of autonomy.
Henry Reiser, the President of the CNC Board, was on the hot seat this morning during a public meeting at the Quesnel campus to talk about the restructuring.
Here he describes the change to one institution from basically six which he says the College can no longer afford because there is a significant amount of duplication.
Several concerns were raised, including the loss of autonomy.
Mary Glassford, the Chair of the North Cariboo Post Secondary Education Council, says they will now need approval from the Deans that are located in Prince George.
The plan right now is to have just Regional Principals at the satellite campuses.
Quesnel Mayor Bob Simpson also expressed concern over autonomy saying it feels like they are going backward significantly at the campus.
He was also disappointed that there has been no consultation leading up to these decisions.
Reiser also announced plans for what is called a Digitial Delivery Initiative where students would interact in real time with a faculty member no matter where they are.
He says that would be for students that want to take the course close to home.
Reiser says the other choice is to go to the campus where the course is being offered face to face.
He says it will also eventually be used in trades which also led to skepticism in the audience.
Reiser confirmed that there will be layoffs as a result of the changes, although he says at this point he doesn’t know how many.
He did promise that it would be equitable and fair across the institution.
(Files from George Henderson)
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