February 14, 1985 PAGE 3 Spiraling cutbacks hit B.C. colleges VANCOUVER [CUP] — A college administrator in B.C. wonders why the B.C. gov- ernment is cutting back fund- ing for community colleges when thousands of young people want to go to school. “It’s hard to understand on rational grounds why;’’ says Jack Finnbogason, president of the college-institute edu- cators association of B.C. ‘“I get a sense the public is starting to wonder also.”’ A recent study of the pro- vince’s college system says government funding has tum- bled to 25 percent from 41 percent during the past two years. Government officials have indicated funding for community colleges will drop -by eight to nine percent in the upcoming fiscal year. Finnbogason says he thinks the government is not, com- mitted to providing a quality, accessible education to the increasing numbers of comm- unity college students. In 1984 alone, enrolment jumped by 7,000 students. There are now 78,000 B.C. college stu- dents, the province’s fastest growing post-secondary pop- ulation. “It’s a matter of mortgag- ing the future of our youth.’’ Though college boards are attempting to stretch the re- - maining available funds to cover what’s left of the col- lege system, they have al- ready drawn up proposals for cutbacks. The cuts include: — the closure of the Mission campus of Fraser Valley col- lege at the summer’s end, leaving 3,000 students with- out a place to study; — the closure of Okanagan College’s two satellite camp- uses, Penticton and Salmon Arm, throwing 48 faculty out of a job and stranding about 300 students; — the lay-off in Nanaimo of two-thirds of Malaspina Col- lege’s academic and personal preliminary counselling staff and an in- crease in the student-teacher ratio; — the probable elimination of Capilano College’s women’s access centre and adult basic education; — cutbacks in the number of courses and programs offered at the B.C. Institute of Tech- nology, which eliminated 100 full-time staff and faculty pos- itions and increased tuition fees by 30 percent last year. Finnbogason says the pro- posed cuts show that colleges and students in B.C.’s outly- ing areas are being hit hard- est. ‘The first people to suffer are those who don’t live in Vancouver or Victor- a,’’ he says. In addition, he says, col- leges are most likely to cut back on vocational and aca- demic courses and programs, areas that the provincial gov- ernment has indicated are not priorities. a : , | Looking forward to seeing you next year. NEW WksT io META Lowes a 1011 Royal Ave. Collision Repair @ Paintin, 526-5955 526-5922 (All Major Credit Cards: Accepted) I ae 8:95 PEs! § ‘‘Apprenticeship training has almost disappeared from this province,’’ he said. According to the college study, apprenticeship classes were reduced from 1,100 to 600 during the past two years and apprenticeship programs dropped from 20,000 to 12,000 in 1981. Hundreds of high school and mature students, Finn- bogason says, want to enroll in academic courses or train- ing programs at community colleges, at a time when B.C.’s three universities have dramatically increased tuition fees and imposed enrolment restrictions in some areas. He says the government’s steady withdrawal of funds is like a death spiral because colleges strapped for cash must offer fewer courses and as a result admit fewer stu- dents. The government then gives even less money, he , says. “‘There’s a spiral there that will terminate with the extinc- tion (of the college system) unless it’s turned around.’’ | AND NEITHER oe ee ee ~ hf NN "4 SB WE CAN'T Nie) AFFORD IT he, : Ye = Y: se CAN YOU, BUT —O— & ¢ “i we ON WE DID IT, RESTRAINT,WE DID IT! * WORDS AND Music BY PATRICK KINSELLA I! lies * PERFORHED By BILL BENLETT Que SOCRED MARQITY- Small gets big DOUGLAS COLLEGE PRESS RELEASE — Take a look at small business in British Col- umbia. The latest statistics show more people are finding employment in companies with 50 or fewer workers, while larger companies are laying people off. Obviously, there is a future in small business. But a majority of people currently do not have the skills to handle the intricate workings of a company. For a person to be gainfully self-employed there are sev- eral facets that must be look- ed at, and at Douglas College opportunities for Entrepren- eurship are opening up. The Human Development program at Douglas College has added a new course, Career and Lifestyle Plan- ing: With the Focus on Entre- preneurship in the 80’s to show students ‘what it takes’ to be self-employed. Featuring guest speakers, lessons in making contacts, and how to assess aptitudes, interests, values and_ skills, Career and Lifestyle Planning is a new direction in educa- tion at Douglas College. The program begins in March and will run for five consecutive Saturdays. Class- es will be held at the New Westminster campus _ of Douglas College and a special low fee is available for stu- dents currently enrolled in other programs. The ingredients to success are just one focus of this unique, and long needed pro- gram. Guest lecturers will be’ available to discuss how they made the decision to become self-employed and how that choice has affected their life. The instructor Kathleen Galarneau will also present information needed to show where students’ weaknesses and strengths ‘lie in building their own business. Classes run all day Satur- day, beginning March 2, and the fee for students not cur- rently registered at Douglas College is $45. For more information on Career and Lifestyle Planning contact the counselling centre at 520-5486. DAY ‘ 525-0404 t i g 236) | { } 15% Discount To | | Douglas College Students When You Think About Your Next Haircut or Perm Remember Us NATURALLY SHEAR BY RICHARD 540-6th st.,(across fromthe Westminster Mall) ==