‘Not a short term disruption’: KPU BOG herds financial constraints with layoff updates and program cuts

Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s board of governors (BOG) is managing continuous change and financial pressure.

The board approved three program closures, reviewed layoff updates, and approved an up to $2.9-million transfer to the KPU Foundation during its March 25 meeting at the Langley campus. 

Diane Purvey, who was provost and vice-president academic since 2021, has served as acting president following former president Bruce Choy’s absence and eventual termination.

On March 25, the board approved Purvey’s appointment as president and vice-chancellor pro tem for up to 12 months. The BOG also appointed David Burns as provost and vice-president academic pro tem for up to 12 months.

At a senate meeting on Nov. 24, Choy had said it was “too early to say” if more layoffs were on the table — three months since then, additional layoffs have been announced.

KPU will lay off 113 employees amid further declining enrolment, Purvey said. Layoffs include faculty, BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) members, and some admin positions. Purvey informed KPU employees about the likelihood of layoffs in an email sent on March 3.

“It also puts a really human face on the impact of declining enrolment,” Purvey said. “Most of us who work at KPU could feel the heaviness of the past few weeks.”

She added that BCGEU members can look for other work at KPU, known as “bumping.”

KPU laid off about 70 faculty members last March and an additional 45 staff in late August. International student enrolment has decreased more than 4,000 since the spring 2023 semester.

An auditor general of Canada report found that B.C. expected an 18-per-cent decrease in study permit approvals in 2024 — but actually saw a 66-per-cent drop.

“These changes are system level and policy-driven — not the result of institutional decisions or academic quality,” Purvey said. “At KPU, our planning continues to be on the basis that this is not a short-term disruption.”

Lori McElroy, associate vice-president planning and accountability, will present a five-year enrolment plan at the next board meeting.

Program cuts

The board suspended two programs: citation in cloud architecture and security and the post-baccalaureate diploma in technical management and services. The BOG also discontinued the bachelor of music in musical arts, major in general studies (BMMA) program and its associated courses.

On Jan. 26, senate approved the suspension of the citation, effective Jan. 1, due to a lack of student demand. Effective May 1, the post-baccalaureate diploma will no longer be offered.

“Historically, the students in this program were predominantly international [and] most of the enrolled students have expressed an interest in obtaining permanent residency in Canada,” the meeting agenda stated.

However, the post-baccalaureate diploma is no longer eligible for a post-graduation work permit due to recent federal policy changes.

The BMMA program, which has no enrolled students and courses that haven’t been offered for many years, will be discontinued effective Sept. 1.

“We discussed closing down that program just based on the generation these days and … instruments falling out in gen Z,” BOG Chair Erin Barnes said.

The meeting agenda states “changes in funding models necessitated a shift towards a new and financially sustainable model.” The music department, which was consulted, has a music minor and is working on a proposal for a two-year music diploma.

“[Music department chair Gordon Cobb] talked about an amazing program using those foundational musical skills, but in a gen Z world — so producing, DJing, studio lighting, and things that students can learn,” Barnes said.

KPU Foundation funding

The Faculty of Health Professional Studies generates revenues through its health professional studies activities. The faculty requested that $1 million from the activities, with $1.9 million in revenue from previous years, be transferred to the KPU Foundation.

The KPU Foundation supports students — through bursaries, scholarships, and awards — and the university’s initiatives.

The funds will be used “to support the Foundation’s efforts in securing matching grants and advancing KPU initiatives,” the meeting agenda stated.

However, the funds — up to $2.9 million — will only be transferred to the foundation if KPU’s year-end results exceed projections and generate an additional surplus.

“We’d like to be able to do the $2.9 million [transfer] all at once, if we can. But again, if we don’t have the money, it’ll be done over a couple of years,” Vice-President Administration Peter Smailes said.

The revenue is fees collected for remedial education by the professional studies department, Faculty of Health Dean Sharmen Lee said.

“We work very closely with the regulators in B.C., Ontario, and now the Yukon to help facilitate LPNs and RNs [to] get back into practice. We also provide continuing education for those that need to satisfy those requirements for their regulatory body,” Lee said.

The next BOG meeting is scheduled to be held virtually on May 27 at 5:00 pm. Email boardofgovernors@kpu.ca at least one week prior to register for the meeting.