Students Launch ‘Cuts Suck’ Campaign to Combat Education Funding Declines

Students at Vancouver Island University (VIU) initiated a campaign on September 17, 2023, to protest cuts in funding for post-secondary education. The campaign, titled “Cuts Suck. Fix Education,” is a collaboration between the B.C. Federation of Students and the Vancouver Island University Students’ Union. It calls on students across British Columbia to contact their elected officials to express their concerns about decreasing investments in education.

The rising cost of tuition and diminishing program offerings have become pressing issues for students. According to the students’ unions, public funding now constitutes only 40 percent of VIU’s operating budget, while tuition fees have surged by 155 percent over the past 25 years. The campaign aims to restore government funding to at least 75 percent of operating budgets.

Students are encouraged to send emails to their local representatives to emphasize the need for increased support. Sarah Mei Lyana, chairperson of the VIU students’ union, highlighted the broader implications of budget cuts. “Cuts are not only reducing course offerings, but are also impacting student services,” she stated, noting the longer wait times for counseling and advising services. Additionally, she pointed out the cancellation of a planned childcare facility at the university, stressing the negative impact on students’ educational experiences.

The issues are not isolated to VIU. Debi Herrera Lira, chairperson of the B.C. Federation of Students, shared her experience at Douglas College in New Westminster. While the college has not faced program cuts, it is grappling with staff layoffs and other challenges that affect student services. “We’re seeing faculty or staff positions change, layoffs, and that is going to impact students now, and is going to impact students in the future,” Lira explained.

Concerns about financial stability are echoed by Gara Pruesse, president of the VIU Faculty Association. She noted that the institution is facing a multimillion-dollar deficit projected for the 2025-26 academic year. “The cuts have been so substantial that I think it’s interfering with our opportunity to provide the education the students come here for,” Pruesse remarked. She believes that reducing services and course offerings will not resolve the financial issues, stating, “Unless we have students, we don’t have a future.”

As the campaign progresses, students hope to mobilize support for their cause and advocate for a more sustainable funding model for post-secondary education in British Columbia. For further details on the campaign, visit www.cutssuck.ca.