Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #abpse
Most recents (24)
Hey everybody! I’ll be live-tweeting the Board of Governors meeting this morning for @The_Gateway! For coverage on the @HaltTheHikeAB protest, check @Emily_AWilliams profile! #abpse #uasu
Kate Chisolm starts by saying that last night, she was presented with a tuition signed by over 2000 students, faculty, and staff, and an open letter from students asking the BoG to reject tuition increases. She says the open letter had 16,000 signatures as of March 23.
“As we work our way through this heavy topic, as board chair, I need to make sure we can have an efficient discussion, which we can’t do if there is disruption,” Chisolm says as protesters enter the room.
The UCP govt announces bursaries for nursing students. They are surely needed. But let's remember why these bursaries are needed. The UCP govt has hugely increased the cost of post-secondary education along with student debt loads. 1/ #abpse #abpoli @edmontonjournal @abndpcaucus
I have seen this time and again with conservative govts in AB, since 1991. They come at public services with machetes, wreak havoc, lay waste to programs that took years to build. 2/ @PIAlberta @FriendsMedicare @cafaab @calgaryherald @CBCNews
Their policies are not based on research; they don't listen to experts and professionals working in the field; they prefer the advice of their ideological gurus. They have deep antipathy to any service or good qualified by "public." 3/
A tale of two headlines, months apart.
To deal with *labour shortages* “The Alberta government invested $8 million earlier this fall to create 69 “micro-credential programs” over two years.” After “$690 million worth of cuts they have imposed on post-secondary schools.” #abed
To deal with *labour shortages* “The Alberta government invested $8 million earlier this fall to create 69 “micro-credential programs” over two years.” After “$690 million worth of cuts they have imposed on post-secondary schools.” #abed
“The @albertaNDP supports micro-credential programs, but the program is a tiny fraction of the $690 million worth of cuts they have imposed on #abpse schools. The #UCP’s] policies leave Albertans behind.”—@davideggenAB
calgary.citynews.ca/2022/12/02/alb…
calgary.citynews.ca/2022/12/02/alb…
“For @UCalgary students, funding cuts have contributed to an increase in annual tuition of 25% over the cost 4 years ago.”
“If word gets out that the government’s not funding universities, colleges properly, then people just won’t come,”—@davideggenAB
theglobeandmail.com/canada/alberta…
“If word gets out that the government’s not funding universities, colleges properly, then people just won’t come,”—@davideggenAB
theglobeandmail.com/canada/alberta…
Why won't the UCP use oil royalty revenue to reinvest in health and education? Because the cuts were never about budget deficits; their purpose was to restructure these sectors--to diminish their functions as universal public goods. 1/ #abpse @PIAlberta @Albertadoctors
Fundamentally, the Jason Kenneys and Travis Toews of this world believe that the provision of health and education should be left to the market, with "market failures" being redressed through charity, church, and "family" (i.e., women's) care work. 2/ @UnitedNurses @ABFedLabour
Millions of people fought and sacrificed to bring about public education and public health care, accessible equally to all citizens. But these public goods are under ceaseless attack by privileged elites who can afford private alternatives & want to increase their wealth. 3/
A university is not a business. A university is part of the public education system. It does not compete for clients. The role of the PSE system is, firstly, to offer Albertans the educational opportunities they need. 1/ #abpse #abpoli @uasupresident
thegatewayonline.ca/2021/10/editor…
thegatewayonline.ca/2021/10/editor…
When politicians and their board appointees get this into their heads, they will stop increasing tuition fees on the lame grounds that @UAlberta needs to "compete" or that PSEIs should not be government-funded. 2/
For what, or whom, are we supposedly competing? Can any of the board members who voted for the fee increases answer that question? Can the president--who uses such language frequently--answer this question? 3/
We are calling on the UCP government to immediately work with post-secondary institutions across the province to create clear guidelines on how to safely and effectively implement a vaccine passport system on campus.
#ableg #abpse
#ableg #abpse
The UCP promised to have guidelines for the implementation of the vaccine passport system for publicly funded institutions in place almost three weeks ago, but have failed to deliver.
This comes after Premier Jason Kenney delayed introducing a vaccine passport as COVID cases rose this fall and repeatedly promised never to introduce one, only to backtrack in mid-September.
1/ As knives come out in UCP over the Sky Palace Dinner, let's spare a moment to think about how none of these MLAs broke ranks over racism, over moneylaundering, identity theft, election fraud, harassment, homophobia, attacks on the poor, the war on MDs, the
#abpoli #ableg
#abpoli #ableg
2/ hijacking of ATRF, the shenanigans to pervert #abpse, the compulsive lying, the widespread incompetence, the abuses of democracy - none of those were enough to make the UCP MLAs take a stand on principle.
But the Sky Palace Dinner does.
Because it's about showing the public
But the Sky Palace Dinner does.
Because it's about showing the public
3/ the government's entitlement. It isn't about ideology and policy - which most Albertans seem not to mind - but about character.
Redford was seduced by it. Prentice was seduced by it. Both started with seeming genuine intention of serving Alberta, but seemed to lose their way
Redford was seduced by it. Prentice was seduced by it. Both started with seeming genuine intention of serving Alberta, but seemed to lose their way
🧵Alberta’s NDP and students are calling for sweeping changes to Budget 202 to ensure that both the post-secondary system and the students who learn within it are equipped to drive a diversified economic recovery. #ableg #abpse
Budget 2021 cuts post-secondary by $135 million this year. Since taking office, when population and inflation are factored in, the UCP has cut $690 million, nearly 23%. ‼️
As well, in the proposed budget alone, the UCP will tack on $106 million in increased tuition fees charged to students for a total tuition increase of $387 million since taking office. They have also cut nearly 1,500 full-time equivalent post-secondary jobs to date. 👨🏫👩🏫
@ryanjespersen asked me today why workers in the post-secondary sector don’t get much sympathy from some Albertans when Conservative governments gut PSE funding. #abpse #abpoli @UAGradStudents @The_Gateway @cafaab @TheAASUA
I’m a slow thinker (like slow food), so it took a while for my answer to percolate. Warning: This is a long answer to Ryan’s question! I’ll start with a story. 2/n
@uabpols @NoUofA42morrow @ParklandInst
@uabpols @NoUofA42morrow @ParklandInst
I grew up in Saskatchewan. After I was hired at @UAlberta in 1991, I went to visit my parents in Saskatoon, by bus. I like to sit at the front, so I can see the road ahead, and the span of the landscape. 3/n
That the Feb 2021 AB budget sets aside $136m for the "Alberta Jobs Now" program is sadly laughable, given, first, that the sum itself is completely inadequate to the task, and, second, 1/n
#abpoli #ableg #abpse #Alberta
#abpoli #ableg #abpse #Alberta
according to the budget estimates, the govt is reducing the operating support for post-secondary institutions by $175m over 2020-21, causing hundreds more lay-offs from good jobs. 2/n @UnionNASA @CupeAB @_AUPE_ @ABFedLabour @TheAASUA #UCalgary #UAlberta #Yeg
Did the UCP ask Albertans if they wanted their post-secondary education institutions (PSEIs), built up over decades with public funding, to be privatized? I, for one, don't remember that being on Jason Kenney's list of campaign promises. 1/n #abpse #abpoli
What does privatization mean? Well, at what point does a university education cease to be a public good and become a commodified private service? 2/n
When students pay for more than half the costs of their education individually, through tuition fees? When 70% of university budgets come from tuition fees and "entrepreneurial" endeavours (things one can charge money for)? 3/n
1/3
Too little, too late, from #ualberta President @BFlanaganUofA.
The Kenney government is not engaged in a "program of reform." It is engaged in a program of destruction. That needed to be declared well over a year ago,
ualberta.ca/the-quad/2021/…
#abpse #cdnpse #highered
Too little, too late, from #ualberta President @BFlanaganUofA.
The Kenney government is not engaged in a "program of reform." It is engaged in a program of destruction. That needed to be declared well over a year ago,
ualberta.ca/the-quad/2021/…
#abpse #cdnpse #highered
2/3
when the govt first introduced its plans to cut #ualberta's budget, across three years, to a degree no great research university's budget has ever been cut.
The senior leadership took no stand.
Instead, they pretended that #ualberta can simply fire lots of support staff,
when the govt first introduced its plans to cut #ualberta's budget, across three years, to a degree no great research university's budget has ever been cut.
The senior leadership took no stand.
Instead, they pretended that #ualberta can simply fire lots of support staff,
cut faculty/instructor salaries, funnel thousands of more students through classes, and make students pay higher tuition. Oh, and they hope private philanthropy will save us.
Failure to stand up for #abpse as public good has given Kenney govt the green light to keep on cutting.
Failure to stand up for #abpse as public good has given Kenney govt the green light to keep on cutting.
"[Millennials] have been hardwired with *collectivist* ideas, (...) from their primary and secondary schools to universities. That's a cultural challenge for any Conservative Party, and we have to figure out how to break that."
--Jason Kenney.
--Jason Kenney.
Just a note here that while the term originated in the 19th century, *collectivism* was often used by Ayn Rand when she denounced anything that involved people cooperating with each other.
This is the definition that Rand, who hated "the common good" used.
This is the definition that Rand, who hated "the common good" used.
Notice the distinction from the older meaning.
Which definition do you think Kenney is using in his dogwhistle, during his sit-down with Ezra Levant?
Which definition do you think Kenney is using in his dogwhistle, during his sit-down with Ezra Levant?
Hi y’all! I’ll be live tweeting the Alberta 2030 town hall happening tonight with advanced education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides. Follow along for updates! #abpse #abpoli
Opening up the meeting, Nicolaides begins the meeting by explains the purpose and context of the Alberta 2030 panel
In his opening remarks, Nicolaides mentions how the MacKinnon Report found that Alberta’s post-secondary system “lacks an overall direction.” As a result, the Report recommended Alberta consult with stakeholders to set a new direction for advanced education
Advanced Education minister, Demetrios Nicolaides, contracted a Calgary firm that specializes in the management of oil & gas companies to produce recommendations for the overhaul of the post-secondary education system. 1/n
@CAUS @cafaab @CAUT_ACPPU #UAlberta @NoUofA42morrow
@CAUS @cafaab @CAUT_ACPPU #UAlberta @NoUofA42morrow
If the @jkenney government intended to treat the universities like fossil fuel corporations, why did it cut our budgets instead of handing out billions in subsidies? 2/2 @ccpa @globeandmail @HuffPostEdu #abpse #abpoli #ableg @660NEWS @ryanjespersen @UnionNASA @_AUPE_ @RyersonCFE
McKinsey is a US-based multinational, with an office in Calgary. The "winning vendor" for the RfP was reported as McKinsey & Co. Canada at the address of the Calgary office. vendor.purchasingconnection.ca/OpportunityAwa…
Jason Kenney and his government, including Minister Schweitzer, have wasted a year and a half with their cancellation of proven diversification programs and their deep cuts to the institutions that drive innovation.
#ableg #abecon #abpse
#ableg #abecon #abpse
A well thought-out plan for economic development, innovation and research would engage with other levels of government and the private sector to leverage dollars.
That work takes time, which is why we're extremely frustrated that Minister Schweitzer and his cabinet colleagues stood still instead of keeping Alberta in the global technology race.
Today the UCP announced $2.1 million in grants for the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Red Deer College and Olds College through the province’s Research Capacity Grant – a cost-shared funding program that has already existed for decades.
#ableg #abpse
#ableg #abpse
This is not new money. This grant is less than 1% of the cuts already made to Alberta’s PSE institutions over 2019 and 2020. This grant will not replace the over 3,500 PSE jobs lost this year alone.
Alberta’s post-secondary institutions are key to the economic recovery of Alberta, and the UCP are making our institutions fend for themselves. This diminishes the ability of these institutions to support staff and students in their capacity to drive innovation and prosperity.”
When we were in government, Labour Day was a time to reflect on the progress we had made together on safer workplaces and ensuring hard-working families could make ends meet, and on our next steps.
#ableg #canlab #LabourDay #Alberta
#ableg #canlab #LabourDay #Alberta
✅ Steps like increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour, to make sure a worker didn't have to go to the food bank after her shift to feed her family.
✅ Steps like our affordable child care pilot centres offering almost 1,300 quality, $25 a day child care spaces helping more Alberta women enter or stay in the workforce.
Jason Kenney and the UCP government should fulfill its commitment to support Campus Saint-Jean instead of going to court to defend its attacks on Francophone education in Alberta.
#abpse #ableg
#abpse #ableg
On Monday, the Association canadienne-française de l’Alberta (ACFA) announced it would pursue legal action against the UCP Government and the University of Alberta for breaking the 1976 funding agreement for the French-language campus.
This follows a series of deep budget cuts and documents released by CBC French revealing several academic restructuring scenarios currently under consideration would lead to the permanent closure of Campus Saint-Jean.
1/ A thread about postsecondary education and remote delivery in the time of COVID-19 restrictions, especially in #Alberta. No agenda here, just being infomative (I hope). This has political overtones because #abpse is shaped by provincial policy, but it applies across Canada.
2/ In March, the COVID-19 crisis meant postsecondary institutions were faced with moving most courses to remote delivery to finish the term.
"Remote delivery" didn't mean the course became an online course. It only meant the term would be finished using electronic means where
"Remote delivery" didn't mean the course became an online course. It only meant the term would be finished using electronic means where
3/ possible. It made sense: converting a course to being an online course generally takes more than a year. The principles can be quite different, and the role of the instructor/tutor can be different too. If an instructor is in the middle of a term and teaching 4 courses, they
The UCP are choosing to gut Alberta's post-secondary institutions {'cept the religious 1s} #UofA is being targeted disproportionately {could it be b/c #yeg voted NDP?🤔}.
It's students at Alberta's biggest university (1 of the best in the world) who'll suffer. See how: #PSE
It's students at Alberta's biggest university (1 of the best in the world) who'll suffer. See how: #PSE
What can students do about the #UCP attack on Alberta's universities?
Yes, budget sit'n is dire. But budget choices are being made based on: 1]ideologies of small gov't via downloaded (not lower) costs, 2]failed austerity models, 3]pork-barrel politics #PSE
@cafaab @ualbertaGSA
Yes, budget sit'n is dire. But budget choices are being made based on: 1]ideologies of small gov't via downloaded (not lower) costs, 2]failed austerity models, 3]pork-barrel politics #PSE
@cafaab @ualbertaGSA
The #UCP attack on Alberta's post-secondary institutions is based on contested data & politicised interpretations. It will hurt #students, unnecessarily:
@cafaab @ualbertaGSA
@cafaab @ualbertaGSA
Premier Jason Kenney is pushing tens of thousands of Albertans into unemployment amid a deadly pandemic by cutting crucial supports for Alberta students.
#25klaidoff #ableg #abed
#25klaidoff #ableg #abed
On Saturday afternoon, the UCP released a brief statement indicating that funding for educational assistants, substitute teachers, bus drivers & others was being withheld from schools during the pandemic.
In total, Kenney is cutting $128 million from the school system.
In total, Kenney is cutting $128 million from the school system.
NDP Education Critic @shoffmanAB noted many students are already struggling as they adjust to learning at home. Now, there will be substantially fewer supports to help them.
We’re waiting to get started at the University of Alberta where President David Turpin and Andrew Sharman, vice-president of facilities, and operations will be answering questions about the COVID-19 situation and U of A’s response. #yeg #abpse #abhealth
Here we go. Turpin is starting off with comments on the budget, which is still on the works. $110 million has been cut from their budget, resulting in major changes he said
The cuts are going to have major impacts, Turpin said. Given the numbers going forward they are anticipating layoffs at around the 600 level but they’re working with the govt in the hopes of saving 200-300 jobs
Interesting article that underscores the need for Universities and colleges to make graduates’ employment outcomes a top priority. #ableg #abpse
theglobeandmail.com/business/comme…
theglobeandmail.com/business/comme…
Some interesting facts from the article:
"McKinsey has found only 9% of Canadian employers indicate they are in frequent contact with education providers and 20% indicate that they have no contact."
"McKinsey has found only 9% of Canadian employers indicate they are in frequent contact with education providers and 20% indicate that they have no contact."
"A 2015 study from McKinsey & Company found that, whereas 83% of educators feel youth are prepared for work, only 34% of employers and 44% of youth agree."
