FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 1997
Vancouver, B.C. - The Alma Mater Society of UBC has joined forces with BC's three faculty associations in opposing the new Technical University of BC. The Confederation of University Faculty Associations of British Columbia (CUFA/BC), the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) and the College Institute Educators' Association (CIEA) have all opposed the creation of the Technical University of British Columbia in its current form.
The AMS is concerned that the new university will not have an academic senate. Academic senates play a vital role within BC's universities. A senate is essential to ensure that the educational and research priorities of a university are at arms-length from the administrative governance of the institution. In our opinion, and obviously the belief of those who drafted the current University Act, this shared governance is vital to ensuring academic freedom.
"Without a Senate, the Board of Governors and the provincial government will have the power to direct the research and teaching priorities of the university," said Ruta Fluxgold, AMS Vice President, "This violation of academic freedom directly undermines the purpose of a university."
It is also unclear how this new institution will be funded. BC's existing institutions are seeing a continual erosion of funding. While the creation of a new university appears, on the surface, to be a progressive commitment to education there is a real danger that this initiative will cause further financial hardship upon an already stressed system. "It is imperative that the provincial government make clear that not one dollar from BC's other institutions will be redirected to this initiative," said Ryan Davies, AMS President.
The AMS is urging Premier Glen Clark and Minister Paul Ramsey to reconsider the creation of TECH-BC in this form. All those who support public education in BC should continue to oppose this new institution until the government can guarantee academic freedom and stable funding.
The AMS will be contacting other student associations in BC and encouraging them to support our faculty in working to ensure academic freedom at our public institutions.
The Alma Mater Society is the official representative of over 30,000 students at the University of British Columbia.
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For more information regarding the Alma Mater Society's position on TECH-BC, please contact:
Desmond Rodenbour, Policy Analyst
Tel: (604) 822-8131 Pgr: (604) 252-4242