After reading the information published in the Prince George Citizen over the past week I feel compelled to write in response to the proposed cuts to programs at the College of New Caledonia.
I am appalled that the college board would consider reducing the funding to the counselling department, suspending the dental programs, and closing the daycare, especially when there are administrative positions that could be postponed rather than cutting essential areas.
As a retired instructor from CNC, I have strong feelings about the need for a fully functioning counselling department. In my 15 years of teaching at the college, I cannot possibly count the number of times that the counsellors made it possible for our students to complete the program and achieve success. When the demands of a busy student load and the needs of a family and children are ever-present, students need all of the help they can get.
Although my colleagues and I were consistently available for our students, we are not counsellors. The students need these professionals. Also, the CNC dental programs are widely recognized as excellent and have been fully subscribed with applicants. How are the present students going to reconcile that they raised money to update equipment in the clinic, only to have it close?
Regarding the daycare, it is common knowledge that there are not enough licensed daycares in our city--why close one that is also a practicum site for the ECE program?
Marie Parker
Prince George
