The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
UCN is under fire for suspending 10 programs in The Pas and Thompson, a move its union says will damage the northern Manitoba economy. The university college has announced programs with low enrollments, such as computer systems technology and business applications and preparation, will not run this fall. 'Unfortunately the programs being cut target students whose skills and knowledge will contribute to the success of companies in this region that are relied upon for jobs and economic growth,' Michelle Gawronsky, president of the Manitoba Government Employees' Union, said in a news release. 'Those include companies like Vale, MTS and Manitoba Hydro. Thinning the pool of available skilled workers will affect the economy in northern Manitoba, and in aboriginal communities.' Gawronsky is calling on UCN to bring staff together to discuss the direction of the institution. 'Right now, there is a feeling of uncertainty at UCN,' she said. 'Everyone from staff to students to community leaders to business owners is left wondering what's next for this important northern Manitoba institution.' The NDP government is not cutting funding to UCN as part of its belt-tightening attempts. The province said it capped UCN's funding increase at 2.5 per cent this year and over the last three years has bolstered overall post-secondary funding by 12.5 per cent. UCN has defended its decision, saying the affected programs 'were identified through a careful review of enrollments and cost factors that were in need of review and analysis.' 'Operational funding will always play a key role in the day-to-day functionality of any post-secondary institution and must achieve a balanced budget as mandated by the province,' said spokesperson Jim Scott. 'It is essential that UCN respond to the needs of community stakeholders and we are committed to undertaking a program renewal process to ensure that programming delivered through UCN is aligned with community and industry needs.' The programs no longer being offered in The Pas beginning this fall are health transition, computerized office skills, computer programmer/analyst and gaming development programs. Thompson will be without civil / CAD technology, computerized business applications and preparation for technology, office administration, computer systems technology and electrical/electronic technology. Some of these are one-year courses and others are two-year courses. Students entering the second year of the two-year programs can continue and complete their studies, but no new students will be enrolled in the fall semester. _ With files from Ian Graham, Thompson Citizen
