Universities dispute merger report

University presidents and academics are not impressed with a report calling for higher tuition and the possible merger of some of Nova Scotia's 11 universities in order to rein in costs.

The report released last week by consultant Tim O'Neill predicts tuition will go up because the province can't keep increasing grants to universities by 10 per cent every year.

That's a position that Chris Ferns, head of the Faculty Union of Nova Scotia, doesn't accept.

"Our concern is that a kind of slash and burn approach to post-secondary education is going to jeopardize one of Nova Scotia's biggest assets," he said Monday. "We are a net importer of students."

But O'Neill said an aging population means there could be 11,000 fewer students in five years.

"StatsCan projections on fulltime enrolment are that it will decline in Nova Scotia immediately and continue into the foreseeable future," he said.

O'Neill predicts that even universities with strong balance sheets such as Mount Saint Vincent, may have to consider closer ties with Dalhousie University.

Alexa McDonough, the Mount's interim president, disagrees.

"Well, I don't think there is a reason, frankly, to suggest that the Mount should merge. We offer a good many joint programs," she said.

At the cash strapped Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, it's still "no comment" on a report that says NSCAD may not survive unless it makes some changes.

John Mabley, NSCAD's vice president, said they are still digesting the report.

"That process of consideration has begun, but we are not yet in a position to respond fully and fairly," he said.

The president of Cape Breton University said the O'Neill report is too pessimistic about the future of higher education in the province.

John Harker said his university was already working on ways to maintain student numbers and "didn't find the suggestions in the report very useful."

The report said declining high school enrollment on the Island may eventually force the Sydney campus to choose between which four-year programs to keep and which it should abandon.

"I'm going to be telling the government to get out of the way, and prevent anyone else from getting in our way, and let the market decide," he said.

"I think the market will be glad there is an institution that teaches a Bachelor of Education in 16 months instead of 24. We don't fear becoming more specialized. We are already doing that."

Last year, about 3,000 students attended Cape Breton University. The institution offers degrees in nursing as well as in business.