Low enrolment and concerns over reduced funding have resulted in cut classes for Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) Powell River campus.
Next year the First Year University Studies program will be offering eight on-campus classes, rather than the 10 which were offered this academic year. Students need the credits from 10 courses in order to complete a full academic year and to be able to transfer to other universities as a second-year student. In the 2010-2011 academic year, only one student took a full 10-course load at Powell River campus and only one took eight courses.
To supplement the program two courses will be offered in conjunction with North Island University and taught through video conferencing. Online courses will also be an option to allow students to earn a full year of credits.
Michael Thoms, a part-time instructor at VIU, has decided to not teach any classes at the institution next year due to concerns over the cut classes and unaccountable administration. Thoms’ history class is among the cuts being made, a decision which he says he can’t understand based upon rising enrolment figures and the popularity of the class with the students who take it.
“They’re making decisions that don’t make sense, without consulting the faculty or without consulting the students,” said Thoms. “If it’s not making money, I’m fine, lay me off, get rid of me, I’ll move on. But if it’s making money then let’s keep it. The students want it, the students are enrolling.”
Thoms’ history class has been cancelled because over the past six years (12 semesters) the class has one of the lowest enrolment rates at the campus, according to Arlette Raaen, campus principal. The class has had an average of 13 to 15 students, the lowest along with anthropology.
Thoms said, however, that he has been building the course over six years and that this year’s enrolment of 21 students should be enough to prove that the class is sustainable and popular.
According to Raaen the primary reason for not offering the course is to keep enrolment rates up in order to secure funding from the ministry of education. This funding pays for roughly half of the courses offered and comes with the expectation that classes should be running near capacity.
Classes with low enrolment are being rotated in an attempt to boost the rates. The Powell River campus has an average of 200 course registrations per year. Raaen explained that with eight classes offered for the first-year program, the average class size will be 25.
Raaen said that it’s unfortunate Thoms does not want to teach. She feels that faculty were fully consulted and invited to make suggestions and participate in the process. She also said there is certainly a possibility to rotate history back into the program in future years.
“I think that it would be unfortunate because of what he brought to the campus and I think that students really enjoyed his courses,” said Raaen. “So I would hope that we will be able to have a conversation and sort out any gripe that he has, find a resolution.”
Thoms stipulated in his email, announcing his decision to not seek a new contract, that he would “consider re-applying to VIU in Powell River if a Local Community Advisory Committee is established to provide input into Powell River campus administration.” Thoms would like to see a committee formed of community members and professionals that could advise Raaen.
