Daily Bulletin

Thursday, October 17, 1996

No rush to privatization

But panel members said more than once that they were "very interested" by Sheridan's recommendation that it be allowed to offer some programs "on a free-market basis". "We're two colleges now," said Peter Brown, acting president of Sheridan, noting that for some programs "access" for students in the Oakville area is the priority, while other programs compete on a national or international basis, attract high-quality students and might be funded by tuition fees as high as the traffic would bear. A classic example: the Disney corporation is interested in buying as much as it can of Sheridan's vaunted programs to teach both conventional and computer-aided animation.

David Smith, chair of the advisory panel, asked the UW delegation whether Waterloo has a comparable interest in privatization. "To a large and growing extent, we are becoming more private," said president James Downey -- at least in the sense that students, who paid 17 per cent of UW's operating costs three years ago, are paying 30 per cent this year.

There are, Downey said, "limited opportunities" to introduce a few privately-funded or full-fee programs, on the model of the "executive MBA" now offered by some business schools. UW is looking at a few such opportunities, he said. "I don't think that for UW full privatization of programs is a major part of the solution to anything," agreed provost Jim Kalbfleisch, saying that fully-funded programs are on the "fringe" of UW's plans.

What the UW delegation had really come to talk about was funding for Ontario universities. "The system is perilously close to permanent damage," Downey said in his opening remarks. "All our institutions are weaker than they were three years ago, and much weaker than they were ten years ago."

The ideal, Downey said, would be for the government to start putting serious money into higher education. But if that can't happen, UW in particular still won't fall into mediocrity "as long as we are given the room to set fees. . . . That reflects on the demand for the programs we offer."

Accompanying Downey and Kalbfleisch were vice-president (university research) Carolyn Hansson, who put in a plug for the importance of research as part of the provincial university system, and Bob Truman, director of institutional analysis and planning. Also on hand were Ian Macdonald of the faculty association (who told the panel that "one of the essential features" of the university system is that it's public, not private), Kelly Foley of the Federation of Students, Karen LeDrew of the staff association, and Ken McLaughlin on behalf of the church colleges.

Students elect Federation VP

Student meetings are called

The Graduate Student Association will hold a general meeting Wednesday, October 23, at 6 p.m. in Needles Hall room 3001. What's up for discussion, says GSA vice-president (internal) Steve Astels, is a proposal to take away GSA funding for the office of the ombudsperson, amounting to $1 per student per term, "since not many grad students use her and the services are duplicated elsewhere anyway". Most of the money, 88 cents, "will be directed to the GSA fee to help increase services to grad students. This will mean a net drop of $0.12 for the cost of registration." Also proposed: raising the stipend paid to the GSA president.

Givings to the United Way

She adds that food services is sponsoring a barbecue at Brubakers in the Student Life Centre tomorrow at noon featuring Roast Beef and Roast Pork on a bun with the proceeds going to United Way. Onkel Hans will also be on hand, arriving at 11:30. Everyone is welcome.

Announcements and events today

The women in mathematics committee presents Katherine Heinrich, president of the Canadian Mathematics Society, at 2:30 today in Math and Computer room 5158. She'll speak on "Making Connections".

Frank Mersch, much-publicized mutual fund manager for the much-publicized Altamira Investment Services, will speak at 3:30 today in the Humanities Theatre on "The Changing Face of the Canadian Investment Industry". He's sponsored by the school of accountancy and the "student education contribution committee" there.

The anthropology department -- rather, the anthro half of the new "anthropology and classical studies" department -- has a big day today, with its annual lecture and dinner, as well as the presentation of medals and scholarships. The speaker is Shelley Saunders of McMaster University; the topic, "Forensic Anthropology and the Law: What Is Its Role?" The event begins at 4 p.m. in Engineering Lecture room 101.

And a couple of other things

A seminar on the design of videoconference facilities is scheduled for tomorrow at 11:30 in Math and Computer room 5158. It's sponsored by teaching resource office (TRACE); the speaker is Richard Dillon of Carleton University.

CAR

Editor of the Daily Bulletin: Chris Redmond Information and Public Affairs, University of Waterloo credmond@watserv1.uwaterloo.ca -- (519) 888-4567 ext. 3004 Comments to the editor | About the Bulletin | Yesterday's Bulletin Copyright 1996 University of Waterloo