Bourassa Meets Quebec Rectors & Principals
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Bourassa meets Quebec rectors & principals University funding to be top '87- '88 priority by Guy Groleau remier Robert Bourassa to be distributed annually for decision until Aprl.i or May. As assured the heads of two years, Kenniff told The we are already in the process of P Quebec universities that Thursday Report that, planning budgets and the aca university funding will be a top although not a permanent solu demic programs for the next priority in 1987-88 at a Febru tion, the sum nonetheless will year, we cautioned him that we ary 12 meeting discussing the help Concordia attain the same are considering a number of critical underfunding of Que level of funding as other Que scenarios, some of which are bec universities, according to bec universities. not entirely pleasant," Kenniff Rector Patrick Kenniff. That particular component, said. After the 75-minute meet Kenniff noted, is "designed to Although no date has been ing, Kenniff, who as Secretary make specific adjustments to yet set for another meeting, the Treasurer of the Conference of the present funding formulas Premier has indicated his will-· Rectors and Principals of Que for universities that now are ingness to meet with university' bec universities (CREPUQ) known presently to be under representatives again. For his was chosen to be one of its three funded. When I see that, I read part, Rector Kenniff stresse·d spokesmen, said that he was Concordia written all over the importance and utility of disappointed in the short-term, it. .. and so do others." regular meetings with Bourassa but cautiously optimistic for He said that given the state to discuss specific problems the long-term. of public finances in Quebec, and to find solutions to the . Specifically, Kenniff said he the university leaders can live drastic underfunding of Que was disappointed the premier with the Ryan plan on the bec universities. offered no concrete solutions. understanding that it is a tran "There were no dollars and sitional measure leading up to a cents decisions, and we can't go more satisfactory funding for to the bank with sympathy," he mula. M'ore than bricks & mortar observed. Indeed, Ryan's proposal is On the whole, though, he is the "strict minimum" needed pleased the premier accepted in to' keep the universities from Campaign also to fund teaching, research, scholarships principle education minister falling apart, Kenniff noted. Claude Ryan's funding plan for University officials, how he construction of new bricks and mortar form only a upgrade teaching and research. Quebec universities. , ever, hope Bourassa will not library facilities is the part of the Campaign's legacy. All departments and units will Ryan's recent proposal calls take too long to make a deci T most obvious benefit of Approximately 400/o cent of benefit, but special emphasis for a transitional two-year plan sion. "The premier indicated to Concordia's five-year, $25 mil Campaign funds will be used to will be placed on graduate· towards a more stable funding us we might not a get a final lion Capital Campaign, but (i) upgrade teaching and studies and in fostering an formula for Quebec universi research in the University's interdisciplinary approach to ties, which already have an four Faculties, (ii) develop that research and curriculum accumulated deficit of $130 portion of Concordia's mission design. million. Engineering students devoted to culture and the arts, Among other things, money Although the plan essential and (iii) increase the number of will oe used to furbish and ly maintains the present level of scholarships and fellowships equip laboratories, to renovate ' funding, including that for new to colllpete available to deserving students. classrooms, and to provide students, its significant aspect "How a university deploys additional seminar rooms. (As is spending an additional $82 Third annual engineering competition to be held its resources reflects its deepest mentioned in previous issues of million on specific items, held values and priorities," says The Thursday Report, faculty including: Rector Patrick Kenniff. "At office space will be included as The competition provides • an annual $35 million capital oncordia University Concordia two aims govern this part of the new library build engineering students with a fund for the renewal of scien will be host to the third process. The first is· the promo ings on the downtown and annual Quebec Engi forum to demonstrate their tific equipment and other uni C tion of areas of research and west-end campuses.) neering Competition on Febru design and communication versity priorities; teaching strength; the second is Included as well is $3.8 mil ary 27 and 28. The event will skills. It was created to enable the need to remain accessible to lion for the Centre for the • $15 million over two years to take place on the mezzanine them to present projects that the community." Performing Arts on the west amortize the existing deficits of and lobby of the Hall Building, demonstrate their initiative, Both of those principles end campus. Attached to the some universities; as well as in rooms H-420 and knowledge and expressive tal were used as the basis for expanded Vanier Library, the ents. Students can participate • $10 million annually to cover H-435. allotting the non-library funds centre is designed to give focus The competition is open to in any of four categories: entre the indirect cost of research; from the Campaign. to Concordia's mission to pro all Quebec undergraduate engi preneurial design; corporate Specifically, $7 million will pogate culture and the arts. • $20 million annually to neering students. In all, 40 design; explanatory communi be distributed to the Faculties According to Kenniff, the adjust some of the inequitable teams in sizes of from one to cation; and editorial communi of Arts and Science, Com goal is to provide a core situations that exist between four members will participate, cation. merce · and Administration, strength in all four Faculties - universities in the province. including 12 teams from Con Engineering and Computer strength to produce outstand- Of the last amount, which is cordia. See COMPETJTION page 2 Science, and Fine ·· Arts-, to .. ~ .. Sei C;tMPAIGN pqge 2 • ... ...:..a Page 2 THE THURSDAY REPORT February 19, 1987 "Why I support LETTERS 4Sillii.<"~~ ~ the Campaign" ,, / TO THE EDITOR am supporting the courses to enable students to ' ' I Capital Campaign keep pace. Argues against Prof. Israel spoke before some because as an alum There has been increased 500 to 600 eager listeners who nus of Sir George Williams I enrolment at both the under Colleges walked out, as I observed, am keenly aware of the library graduate and graduate levels. dissatisfied and angry, since situation. When I was an Because of these factors the To the Editor: they did not get more out of undergraduate student, the University has been an exciting :.. this lecture than from a medio lack of study space and inade and interesting workplace. It is ~ n numerous occasions, cre newspaper article. quate library facilities made a the library alone that has not ff I fought against the Compared with the per visit to the library a frustrating kept pace with the growth evi- ~ 0 Colleges, especially formance of professor Israel, experience. denced in other areas of the ~ against their arrogant claim for what a refreshing intellectual University. ~ their existence - i.e., to serve pleasure was offered to us dur It is time for all members of the superior category of stu ing Philosophy Week by our the University community to dents. But, I also criticized the own professors. The thought ensure that Concordia Univer way they were (and are) funded. provoking presentations were sity has a first-class library While we are fighting for the made by prof. Philip Wallace, complex, a library that will crumbs that come to us from principal of the Science Col meet our present needs and also the ridiculously low budget of lege, and by prof. Paul Wid allow for the continuing Jane Stewart the Visiting Lecturers Commit den, Biology, on the topic: growth of the University." tions and to morale that addi tee, may I ask, How do they pay "Freedom and Necessity in tional funding can make. The for their publicity campaign in Nature." If I think that this John Elliott, opportunity to hire one new The Gazette, and their mailing delicious intellectual food was Lab Coordinator & individual within a depart out of invitations? - served to us free of charge, I Technical Officer, ment, to award five additional I am particularly interested have another reason to argue Dep't of Mechanical scholarships, or to buy 100 new in the following matter: what against the existence of the Engineering books can have a significant was the total cost of prof. Colleges. impact on an institution such Werner Israel's lecture on the Ernest Joos as ours. "Beginning of the Universe"? Philosophy Even minor improvements any thing~ have ' ' M changed m our in physical facilities can have John Elliott University over major effects to our feelings continued from page I The same situation still the 25 years-of my association about our working environ CAMPAIGN exists today. I am aware of this with it. One has not .. the ment. I think we can all agree, whatever our current concerns because I have been · a staff continual shortage of funds. I ing teaching and research in ble to expand on existing· core and differing opinions about member of the Department of take great pride in the academic disciplines throughout the Uni strengths. how to deal with them, that our Mechanical Engineering for and scholarly accomplish versity - and to provide collat "Each of the amounts men University is seriously 1n need the past 15 years.