“DC admin playing budgetary roulette with programs”
Psycu Nursina, HEALTH INFORMATION

PROGRAMS TO TAKE FUNDING UPPERCUTS

Jim Chliboyko 1997-98 academic year. Consideration has been given to
the possible magnitude of these changes. A letter signed by
roposed six-figure cuts to two Douglas College college vice president John McKendry reads, “I know this

programs, Psychiatric Nursing and Health information will come as a disappointment for many.”
Inférmation Systems (HIS), have prompted an The HIS, however, is not an unsuccessful program.
outcry not only from within the college and Graduates of the HIS program have maintained “virtually

within the BC Ministry of Education, Skills and Training,
but from as far away as Manitoba. The cuts, for
Psychiatric Nursing, $344 000, and for HIS, $148 000,

100% employment,” according to an open letter to the
College Board, written by the First and Second Year
Student Committee.

 
   
  
  
  

may irreparably damage the sections, despite the JCal Another aspect of the cuts that bothers the DCFA
fact that they are the only programs of their kind Smacmaien is the apparent arbitrariness of the decision. Dan
offered within the province. McDonald, DCFA’s VP of negotiations, spoke last at
In addition to the cuts, the HIS program will be MEUGMEMR the April presentation and addressed the issue of
undergoing various other changes. It will appar- eliciimeiam the criteria the administration uses to decide what

ently be whittled down from a two-year diploma

program to a one year certificate and become part changes from year to year.

of the Business and Commerce department. McDonald claimed that last year’s cuts were
The Douglas College Faculty Association EMO el determined by the budget and funding profile,

(DCFA) has taken steps to address the proposed while this year’s cuts are determined by

cuts; they presented the college board with their enrollment. Not only was there a lack of consist-

ONES is and what isn’t to be cut, and how that criteria

(oro) aye] e neo

arguments against the cuts before the April Teaucieelimm § ency in the criteria, but the current criteria is
college board meeting, but DCFA Prez Roslyn RY taniiT oversimplistic, McDonald said.

Dixon fears that it is not enough. “My sense is : The outcry has been loud and fierce. There
that [the presentation] flagged some issues that program 1s have been responses from Calgary’s Southern
some of the Board members were not aware not only a Alberta Institute of Technology and Winnipeg’s

of...but, | don’t think senior management was too Red River College. Donna Taves, Team Leader of

happy. It doesn’t like its decisions challenged,” she the SAIT HIS program, sent a.fax, writing, “I

said. aS personally believe that British Columbia’s health
The DCFA isn’t happy, though, with how the cuts ¥htatseriatelay care system will be seriously impacted if the

have been implemented. Though still in the pro- training of health information professionals ceases

posal stage, the cuts to Psych Nursing and HIS are in your province.” Taves further questioned the

a “fait accompli,” Dixon fears. The college insists elem) §©decision, writing “In my view a replacement of the

that the cuts are not official until the annual budget is Tanti ‘wo-year HIS program at Douglas College with a

passed at the June College Board meeting. Yet, =. one-year computer information system program is not

despite the College’s denial, letters to HIS Program is’ only a mistake by the administration and board at

applicants, subtly-worded missives warning of the Douglas, but is non-visionary.”

gutting of the program, were sent out in March. Naomi Krasovec, Program Coordinator of the Red

mistake by

and board at

About the letters, Dixon says, “Decisions had already River Community College Health Information Technologists’
been made, with no opportunity for input.” Dixon also says — Program in Winnipeg, pointed out the value and the
that letters were sent before faculty and the advisory uniqueness of the position. “Health information practitioners
committees knew about the decision. have a most unique blend of training, from the biomedical
“The College is considering some significant alterations in sciences to management principles to computer sciences,”
the Health Information Services Program during the she wrote. @

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