TORONTO – Ontario’s professors and academic librarians are today looking forward to working with Premier Kathleen Wynne and her government to address Ontario’s higher education challenges.
“While Ontario’s colleges and universities were not a focus of the election campaign, they are among our most powerful tools for creating jobs, boosting the economy, and building a fairer society,” said Kate Lawson, President of the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA). “We are hopeful that Premier Wynne will give this essential sector the attention it requires.”
Ontario has great higher education institutions, but our universities and colleges face significant challenges. They receive the lowest per-student public funding in Canada, and have the highest tuition fees. They also do not have enough full-time faculty to cope with increasing student demand. All of this puts the quality of higher education in Ontario at risk, and may prevent universities from fulfilling their important economy-boosting and equity-building roles.
“Ontario’s universities have accomplished much, but more work needs to be done to ensure their future success,” said Lawson. “Professors and academic librarians are ready to offer their insight and expertise in the pursuit of real solutions—solutions that promote student success and respect academic freedom.”
“A fresh mandate is a time for both taking stock and moving boldly forward. We urge Premier Wynne to bring together all higher education stakeholders – students, faculty, and administrators – to begin a serious discussion on the future of higher education in Ontario.”
Founded in 1964, OCUFA represents 17,000 faculty and academic librarians in 28 faculty associations across Ontario. For more information, please visit the OCUFA website at http://www.ocufa.on.ca.
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For more information, contact Graeme Stewart, Communications Manager at 416 306 6033 (office), 647 241 7011 (mobile), gstewart@ocufa.on.ca
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Mark Rosenfeld, Executive Director, 416 306 6030, mrosenfeld@ocufa.on.ca