B.C. universities, colleges in crisis after widespread faculty layoffs

Some universities and colleges across B.C. are grappling with widespread faculty layoffs, leaving students and staff scrambling for answers about their futures.

Institutions like Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Vancouver Island University, Langara College, and Camosun College have already announced significant cuts, with some reducing their full-time faculty by as much as 10 per cent.

The layoffs come as the result of a deepening financial crisis triggered by a sharp drop in international student enrollment.

Ottawa announced plans last year to cut foreign student admissions for two years, affecting grad students and making it harder to qualify for the Post-Graduate Work Permit.

The Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC (FPSE) is now demanding the province step up with a response the crisis.

“It’s been complete and absolute silence. There was no mention of post secondary [institutions] in the budget. There’s been no public statements from the minister or the premier about the cuts across the province,” said FPSE Executive Director Michael Conlon.

“The province micromanages every aspect of colleges and special-purpose teaching universities. You name it—they control it. But in this case, they’re just wiping their hands and saying, ‘Oh, those are autonomous institutions.’ We’re frustrated with that, and we’ve had enough. It’s not true—it’s a falsehood.”

While the layoffs are, first and foremost, a crisis for post-secondary educators, Conlon says students are the ones feeling the effects.

“It’s resulting in some program closures, cutbacks of courses, and is really affecting the ability of our members to deliver quality education in the classroom. It’s creating confusion…and a bit of chaos.”

Conlon adds the FPSE is calling for comprehensive plan to stabilize B.C.’s post-secondary education system.

“The reality is, there are still international students in the system who are paying those higher tuition fees for the next couple of years. As they graduate, no new students will replace them, so this fiscal crisis could drag on.”

The FPSE is also expressing frustration over both the provincial and federal governments previous encouragement to recruit international students to fill budget gaps.

“Now that system, that situation, has ended very badly for everyone involved, and I think there needs to be a collective solution,” said Conlon.

1130 NewsRadio has contacted the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills for comment.