This week’s announcement is a positive step that brings us into a new phase of discussions, but UNBSJ is still far from safe. The government is not guaranteeing that UNBSJ will remain part of UNB or that it would retain a liberal arts focus. This still sounds very much like the polytechnic idea with just a different name, and our university would be greatly diminished. That’s no good.
Saint John, and New Brunswick, needs a strong UNB in Saint John. Without us, UNB would lose a large portion of students, possibly causing it to be pushed out of the national comprehensive university category, leaving New Brunswick with only a series of small regional universities. This would also hurt Saint John, as a separate new institution would not have the degree recognition that UNB has, nor some of the wide shared services offered by UNB. A completely separate university in Saint John is a raw deal for everyone, at least for now.
Instead, we need to remain a strong, high-growth part of UNB, which we currently are. We need to resolve the funding issues that we have with Fredericton, and be allowed to grow at our natural pace without being hindered. This should happen as we work as an important part of UNB, not separate from it
Tags: n.b., saint john, save unbsj, unb, unbsj