After learning of a 7.3% decrease in its operating grant for 2013-2014 on March 7, Red Deer College has met its challenge of finding $6 million and has balanced its budget as required by legislation.
“We never lost sight of the impact on our learners, the people who work here and by extension their families, and the future of RDC while evaluating our options,” said Joel Ward, president and CEO. “We used a strong set of measures to guide us in decision-making. Those measures enabled us to review administrative operations, and look for opportunities to mitigate the impact on students, the people who work at RDC and the communities we serve. Regretfully there will be job loss. Although we are still ensuring we meet all conditions of our employment agreements, it appears 32 people will lose their jobs.”
In addition to increasing revenue-generating opportunities, the College addressed its budget challenge by finding 50% of the reductions from administration and support, 30% from program and delivery restructure, and 20% from program suspensions.
Two programs will be suspended for the September 2013 intake at RDC: Virtual Assistant Distance Certificate; Hospitality and Tourism Certificate and Diploma which has been transferred to Olds College.
Students will be able to complete their studies there.
Early Learning and Child Care Diploma will be suspended September 2014.
Students currently enrolled in the Certificate Program will be able to continue into their Diploma in September 2013.
The Certificate Program will continue to be offered.
Three programs will be delivered differently but are still available for students through RDC: Automotive Service Technician Certificate, which can be taken through the Apprenticeship pathway; Pharmacy Technician Distance Certificate, but continues to be available on campus; and the Health Care Aide on-campus program will no longer be offered. It will, however, continue to be offered through high school partners’ career and technology studies (dual credits), on-line through eCampus Alberta and in our central Alberta communities through Campus Alberta Central.
-Weber
