Sault College axes English, AUC prof says it won't work

********************** (EDITOR'S NOTE: Since this article was posted, Sault College spokesman Rick McGee has advised us that English courses will continue to be available to students in all options of the general arts and science program, which account for just two of the more than 60 programs offered at the college. Students from the arts and science streams often continue on to Algoma University College and Lake Superior State University, where English credits are required. McGee indicates this information was not available to him when we interviewed him yesterday. It's not known who will be teaching the English courses to general arts and science students.)

*********************** The chair of English and faculty association president at Algoma University College tonight called on local community college students to switch to his institution after Sault College confirmed it will no longer offer English courses.

"Study at Algoma University College," Dr. Karl Jirgens advised when informed of the development by SooToday.com News.

"We're not only losing a well-rounded education. We're losing the most fundamental and necessary of skills on any job, clear and efficient communication," Jirgens said.

Sault College spokesman Rick McGee said tonight that the decision to eliminate all English courses and to axe four language and communication faculty positions was made in part because students complained about having to study the subject.

"Part of this is listening to their concerns," McGee said.

"We're confident that the changes will result in an overall improvement for students and the employers they will work for in the future."

"People often object to changes. But we can't be in business and still making buggy whips."

Instead of standalone English courses, McGee says the college will now integrate communications training into the individual curriculum for each of its post-secondary programs.

The integrated curricula will be taught by existing faculty, who will be prepared for their expanded roles through a special training program.

"I don't think it will work," Jirgens says.

"It's not practical because of the high degree of specialization. It isn't reasonable to expect even coverage across the curriculum in so many different disciplines."

But McGee argues that five other Ontario community colleges have made similar decisions to align communication teaching with vocational needs.

The language skills of Sault College students, he says, will be monitored and assessed on a ongoing basis against external measures, including a Human Resources Development Canada essential skills research project, the International Adult Literacy Survey, and something called TOWES (Test of Workplace Essential Skills).

"Our students in the future will graduate with a diploma verfiying their appropriate communication," McGee said.

"We will integrate vocationally related communications into the various curricula. They will be modified and faculty will be prepared for the change in delivery."

Of the four professors whose positions have been eliminated, two have been designated for layoff and two have skills in other areas that will allow them to be reassigned.

Vinnie Greco expresses reservations

Also expressing reservations about the college's new direction is Vin Greco, former English teacher, retired principal at Sir James Dunn Collegiate and Vocational School, former sessional instructor in writing at Lake Superior State University, currently acting vice principal at Alexander Henry High School.

Greco acknowledges that English may not be of paramount importance to every student in a technical trade or vocational program.

But he questions the college's assertion that by dropping all English courses, it will produce better graduates.

"My question is, how?" Greco asks.

"Communication skills are really important," he says.

'I don't think it's going to be seamless'

"To eliminate the program entirely may leave some students with weaker skills at a disadvantage. They're really taking on a tremendous challenge. I don't think it's going to be seamless."

An important factor, Greco says, will be how comfortable the college's instructors in other disciplines will be with taking on the new communications responsibilities, and their competence to do so.

The educator is also questioning Sault College's statement that its decision was partly based on student complaints.

"It all comes down to money more than anything else," he tells SooToday.com.

Rick McGee, meanwhile, says that Sault College's axing of English courses is part of a larger scheme of program changes that's expected to result in elimination of nine faculty positions, offset by nine new hires in areas thought to be more strategically important.

Decision made by administrators, not by board

The language and communication decision was made by Sault College adminstrators, not by the college's board of governors, McGee said.

The next meeting of the Sault College board is at 4 p.m. Thursday in the college's boardroom.