NSCAD gets government bailout
Posted Dec 13, 2011 12:27:20 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Nova Scotia government has announced it will cover NSCAD’s $2.4 million deficit, staving off the looming spectre that the struggling fine-arts school would be merged with another institution.
Advanced Education Minister Marilyn More said Tuesday the money comes with two conditions: that NSCAD submit a financial plan by March 31 and that it look into collaboration opportunities with other post-secondary institutions.
NSCAD President David Smith David Smith says officials are committed to looking at “every possible option” to keep the school functioning as an independent entity.
“There will not be a death of NSCAD,” said Smith. “NSCAS has bright future ahead of it. We have a storied history. We are a internationally renowned institution and we will do everything in our power to retain the independence and autonomy of our school and the quality of our programs.”
At the waterfront campus, students were pleasantly surprised by the announcement.
“I’m pleased, but I hope they quit worrying about facilities and worry about faculty and programs and the budgeting that goes into that,” said one student.
“I’m definitely happy. I’m part of this school so if it were to crumb I’d be really upset. Big surprise though,” said one woman on campus.
Former deputy minister Howard Windsor submitted a report to the government on Tuesday with eight recommendations for improving NSCAD’s financial viability.
The report said without a government bailout, the university will find it difficult to accept new students for the fall 2012 semester.
Windsor also noted the school is in serious financial trouble and needs to look at collaborative arrangements.
More said “collaboration” is not code for amalgamation, but Windsor said he has not ruled out a merger.
He says the university has produced no reasonable plan so far to ensure its future.
