I am writing to strongly request that no cuts be made to CNC's counselling department. If anything, the department should be expanded, not cut to 1.5 positions possibly staffed by unlicensed personnel. This program is crucial to the success of our students who are, after all, the reason each one of is here.
I have been a part-time faculty member since 2006 and have on several occasions walked a "student in crisis" over to counselling for immediate help. The staff has been incredibly helpful in dealing with a variety of issues that come up, especially for our younger students who are new to a post-secondary environment.
The "Back on Track" program has also been very successful in steering many of my students in the right direction, enabling them to succeed in the Fine Arts program. I have noticed an increase in stress levels and difficult personal issues among my students in the last 2-3 years, not a decrease. Mental health and other related issues are on the rise for students, and institutions need to "step up" their crisis intervention programs, not cut them.
Please revisit this proposed cut to counselling at CNC. The potential negative impact to our students is just too high.
Julia Whittaker
Prince George
