The Rural Voice, 1993-06, Page 29Association, Alderson says.
The government has reversed its
decision to close the program for first
year students this fall because there is
nowhere else for the students to turn,
Alderson says. Students have been
promised they'll have another college
to go to in their second year. Where
will this program go, she wonders. It
isn't as easy as it might be thought to
switch the course to another college.
"Accreditation has to do with staff
and facilities as well as program."
Both Alderson and Morris feel
there are ways to come up with
private funding to help offset the cost
of running Centralia. Alderson points
out that the conference centre is
already self-financing while Morris
says cost -recovery could be the
answer to the future of the lab. But
under government accounting, he
says, any funds generated by service
presently disappear into the black
hole of the treasury of Ontario.
"We're trying to get a good financial
handle on the situation," he says.
Nearly everyone resents the lack
of consultation on the part of the
government. "We should have been
consulted on such an important local
issue," says Tom Tomes, who is both
the reeve of Stephen Township where
the college is located and warden of
Huron county for 1993. "We know
cost cutting measures must be made,
but it should be done in a fair,
consultative and well -considered
manner."
"It was a unilateral, hastily made
decision," Alderson says. "We hope
they will now take time to talk to
those who are involved and
reconsider."
Dr. Morris says veterinarians feel
there needs to be more study into
where the main labs for all the main
agricultural species groups should be.
He objects to the timing of the
announcement of the closure as well.
"I really resent the timing of the
announcement." Noting the
announcement came at a time when
the agricultural community was busy
with spring planting he says it almost
looks like the government was trying
to slip it through when people were
too busy to react.
If that was part of the plan, it
hasn't worked. The core group of the
Friends of Centralia, formed after the
May 3 meeting, continues to meet on
a regular basis, attempting to develop
alternative plans for the college and
vet lab and still help the province
reduce its deficit. "It was never the
college's mandate to bring money in
— but faced with the alternative of
closure, the Friends of Centralia feel
strongly that these things should be
considered before the college is
closed," George Thompson says.
While the group continues to plan
alternatives, Buchana has said he's
willing to meet with groups from
Centralia and New Liskeard "as long
as we talk about next steps." He says
groups can talk about future use of
the facilities but he won't reconsider
the closings.
That attitude on the part of the
ministry was apparently confirmed at
a meeting of some Friends of
Centralia members with Norris Hoag,
assistant deputy -minister for
education and research on the
morning of Centralia's graduation
ceremony May 20, a meeting one
committee member described as
"unproductive".0
SUMMER CAMPS
OFFERED AT
CENTRALIA COLLEGE
AGVENTURE
A day camp for 9-11 year olds (as of July 1/93) where they leam about food and
agriculture while making friends and having fun. Campers participate in: computer
workshops, swimming each day, farm tour, outdoor/nature study, and life skills.
Dates: July 5-9/93
or July 12-16/93
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m daily
Cost: $75.00 + GST ($80.25)
(includes lunch)
Ages: 9-11 (as of July 1/93)
ENVIRO CAMP
Enviro Camp is a summer day camp where campers will learn more about the
environment and how to make our planet a nicer place to live. Campers participate
in: study of local pond, water testing, nature study, recycling, orienteering, and
computers.
Dates: July 26-29/93
Time: 9:00 - 4:00 p.m. daily
Cost: $65.00 + GST ($69.55)
(includes lunch)
Ages: 10-12 (as of July 1/93)
FUN WITH FOOD & COMPUTERS
Here's a chance for young people to prepare basic foods and to learn how to
operate a personal computer while having fun and making new friends. Activities
throughout the program include: basic recipe preparation, planning and serving
balanced lunches, computer workshops, life skills, games and activities.
Dates: August 9-13/93
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily
Cost: $80.00 + GST ($85.60)
(includes lunch)
Ages: 11-14 (as of July 1/93)
For more information or to register contact Centralia College (519) 228-6691,
Ext. 285. Enrolment is limited.
Ministry of
Agriculture
and Food
ONTARIO
CENTRALIA
COLLEGE
Huron Park, Ontario
NOM 1 VO
JUNE 1993 25