It’s been awhile since I’ve posted, mainly busy with my other work and whatnot, but there has been plenty of Action by the SFU Community Coalition. Here’s an update:
Myka Tucker-Abramson gave an excellent speech on Tuesday March 24th at the Board of Governor’s (BOG) Finance Committee meeting, held at SFU Harbourfront at 8am. While Myka represented student concerns, Michael Ling spoke from the Faculty side of things. Both speeches were impressive and were taken into consideration by the BOG.
On Thursday March 26th at 8am, the BOG met to approve a number of things for the coming year, including the Budget. Now here’s where it gets sticky: We know it’s not the University’s fault that the Provincial Liberals seem to dislike well-rounded critical education, and therefore construct a three year funding package that inevitably decreases the quality of education in the entire province … still, how far does this have to go before SFU’s administration decideds to stand up for itself? The university budget had to be passed, there’s no doubt about that, but not a single person in that room, not one Board member, not even Michael Stevenson (SFU’s President), was happy with the new budget.
Things that still happening:
1. Voluntary Exit Plans (that is, the Golden Handshake) + not rehiring those tenure track positions + not renewing contract faculty positions = Less Faculty.
2. Although Michael Stevenson swears up and down that the TA budget is staying the same, it was pointed out at the Board meeting that Departments are, in fact, decreasing the number of TAs because they don’t have the money (we can assume that more professors will be teaching sections, which is good for the undergrads but bad for a research oriented university, but also, sections will be cut).
3. Scheduled classes for the fall term have been eliminated. The Canadian Studies department is gone.
4. Library Staff has been slashed hard.
5. Facilities staff has been slashed.
6. Registrars Office has also taken a hit.
7. I still live in a decaying building (though I’m moving out soon). And with unceasing, it seems, neoliberal trend taking over education, the University is trying to sell residence buildings to private contractors. CAN YOU EFFIN BELIEVE THAT!!… I’m so glad to be moving out of here.
8. Tuition [surprise surprise] still going up.
okay i know the recession affects us all. But instead pouring tax payers dollars into the Olympics, the BC government can at least try to take care of its people. When people are out of work they go back to school. Academia is not only the tool to educate the population to think critically—hence, reconstruct our economy so recessions don’t happen (which it seems the liberals don’t want a critical population)—but also, it is the foundation of a healthy society and the safety-net for millions of people across the country.
Anyway, back to the BOG meeting: Kevin Harding, a student rep on the BOG, did a superb job in bringing to light the discrepancies in the budget: that is, even individuals here (not going to name names) are trying to cover up that their budget isn’t going to pull through next year, and we will have to make more cuts. The estimates and the actuals don’t add up (on paper). Not to mention that what’s happening on the ground isn’t represented in the Budget.
Excellent work Kevin. The SFU Community is extremely lucky to have someone so engaged and informed fighting for higher education, the value of our degrees, and the value of the positions that faculty now hold. The BOG elections just closed, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed in hopes that Kevin has been reelected for both the BOG and the Senate.
So now we move on, and continue to pressure the government to recognize how dire this situation is.
Myka will be presenting on Public Education and Neoliberalism at a Forum organized by The Council of Canadians called FINANCIAL FOOLS DAY: Empowering People’s Movements Against Trade Agreements and Corporate Power.
Otherwise, the SFU Community Coalition is continuing to strive for more funding from the Province. We recognize we are being heard, both through acknowledgement by administrators and government officials, and by indirect things … like the hired security guards at the Board of Governor’s meeting.
SFU is recognized as an innovative, cutting-edge, forward thinking, thorough, interdisciplinary university. I’m extremely fortunate to have been accepted into the English program here, and deciding to take the offer was one of the best moves I’ve ever made. Everyone on the SFU Coalition feels the same way about the school. We know it’s a great place to learn and research, and we intend to keep it that way.
Click here for Myka’s Speech at The BOG finance committee meeting.
