HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1994-03-16, Page 691
Fate of Centralia unknown
by Patrkk Raftis
When Centralia College of
Agriculture and Technology closes
it's doors to students this spring, it
will mark the end of an era in
agricultural education.
The announcement of the impen-
ding closure of the college, along
with another agricultural college at
New Liskard, in the NDP provincial
government's Expenditure Control
Plan last April, was immediately
greeted with strong local opposition.
Over 600 people, including
students, members of are municipal
councils and farm organizations
gathered at an information meeting
to protest the closure, held just days
after the announcpnent.
A group of first-year students
who had been accepted into the
college for the 1993-94 term filed a
class action lawsuit claiming they
had a contractual agreement with
the province and were owed an
educational opportunity. Although
the litigants were initially granted
an injunction preventing the college
from initiating closure proceedings,
the ruling was later overturned.
The province stuck to its guns in
the face of all opposition, conten-
ding the school was operating at
less than 60 per cent capacity and
students could be absorbed at the
three remaining colleges with no
loss of educational opportunities.
However, while the college, with
it's annual enrollment of about 170
students, and staff of 85 will indeed
be closed by May 1, a 150 acre
research farm operated by the col-
lege will be maintained. The
province announced in November
that the Huron Research Station, in
Stephen Township, will continue
•turn to page 9a
The facilities at Centralia College of Agriculture and Technology may be In fine shape, but after
operating at less than 60 per cent capacity In recent years, the college will graduate its last class
this springs after falling victim toprovinclal funding cutbacks.
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