Restructuring plan draws outcry

It will have a negative impact on individuals and the community.

That from Titi Kunkel, the Acting Regional Chair for UNBC in Quesnel, reacting to a huge increase in the cost of upgrading at the College of New Caledonia in Quesnel.

As part of the restructuring plan that was announced late last week to deal with a $2.8 million dollar deficit, the cost of upgrading went from free up to $530 dollars per course. Kunkel says even the regular courses at CNC are less than $300 dollars.

She feels it will have an impact on students leaving high-school that need upgrading because many are from lower income families.

Kunkel says while they can apply for a grant there are no guarantees and many won’t bother.

She says single moms wanting to go back to get a course for entry into college or university could also be impacted.

And Kunkel says there is also the long-term effect on the community…

Kunkel says those who have already graduated don’t qualify for a grant to help out.

Students currently in attendance at CNC have also expressed their concerns about the negative impacts.

Kayla Allen, a welding student,  says she’s particularly concerned about potentially losing their teacher…

Allen says right now they get hands-on help from their teacher, things like adjusting the temperature and placing their hands where they need to be, and she questions how a computer simulator can do that.

CNC’s restructuring plans, which include a Digital Delivery Initiative where students would interact with a faculty member in real time no matter where they are are, were discussed at a public meeting on April 2nd.

(Files from George Henderson)