The Prince Edward Island government is threatening to introduce legislative changes that would allow for new degree-granting arrangements on the Island, unless the University of Prince Edward Island agrees to partner with a millionaire developer for a program in real estate studies.
Businessman Richard Homburg made a pitch for a private university to Premier Robert Ghiz last month that would require changes to the University Act after having been rebuffed by UPEI — the sole university in the province.
David Seeler, president of the UPEI Faculty Association, said he considers the government’s action as interference in the affairs of an autonomous institution. “The university made a decision not to enter into a partnership, and now the government is applying inappropriate pressure to reconsider that decision,” he said.
He said given the experience of other provinces with for-profit, online universities, any decision about these schools should not be taken lightly.
New Brunswick shut down Lansbridge University — a mostly online, for-profit school focusing on business studies — this year after a recommendation from the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission. Similar action has been taken in British Columbia, where the government has imposed a six-month moratorium on new applications for degree programs since September 2010.
UPEI students, alumni, academic staff and the administration all voiced opposition to the proposed changes for post-secondary education, with students arguing private degrees would devalue UPEI degrees. The alumni association collected 1,400 signatures and messages against the private university over a matter of days last month.
“Hopefully most people understand that a real university isn’t simply about providing a few courses in one subject — like real estate — however it is perceived or constructed,” said CAUT executive director James Turk.
“If the PEI government goes ahead with this request, maybe it’s hoping a McDonald’s Hamburger University — the burger giant’s management training centres — will relocate to Charlottetown so it also can be recognized as a real university.”