U of S to suspend Emma Lake Kenderdine Campus activities to 2016
University of Saskatchewan (U of S) officials today announced that courses and activities at the Emma Lake Kenderdine Campus will be suspended effective immediately through to 2016, during which time the future of the campus will be re-examined.
By Kris Foster
The Emma Lake Kenderdine Campus was opened in 1935 and has maintained a focus on the arts and ecology in addition to being available for community use. However, the campus is in need of millions of dollars in repair to bring it up to today's standards.
"We simply don't have the funds at this time to make the significant capital investment that this campus needs in order to be running effectively," said Greg Fowler, acting vice-president, finance and resources. "In a time of budget restraint, we need to be very strategic, which unfortunately means making difficult decisions."
In addition to saving the university $500,000 in operating expenses over three years, a significant capital investment in the millions of dollars would need to be made to bring the facility up to standards, money which the university simply does not have at this time.
The Emma Lake Kenderdine Campus had about 200 U of S students attend parts of courses in summer 2012 and offered experiential learning opportunities in courses such as biology, soil sciences, drama, art and art history, and land use and environmental studies. Additional non-credit courses such as wilderness and remote first aid certification, canoe tripping, photography, painting and camps have been previously offered. The campus has been utilized as an experiential learning site for courses which have taken place at the university's main campus in Saskatoon.
"We are thankful to the volunteer Board of Directors and to the campus manager for their efforts and commitments to rejuvenate the campus over the past two decades," said Brett Fairbairn, provost and vice-president academic. "We are committed to offering diverse and high-quality educational experiences for our students."
Public questions about the suspension of the Emma Lake Kenderdine Campus operations can be directed to finances@usask.ca.
"We simply don't have the funds at this time to make the significant capital investment that this campus needs in order to be running effectively," said Greg Fowler, acting vice-president, finance and resources. "In a time of budget restraint, we need to be very strategic, which unfortunately means making difficult decisions."
In addition to saving the university $500,000 in operating expenses over three years, a significant capital investment in the millions of dollars would need to be made to bring the facility up to standards, money which the university simply does not have at this time.
The Emma Lake Kenderdine Campus had about 200 U of S students attend parts of courses in summer 2012 and offered experiential learning opportunities in courses such as biology, soil sciences, drama, art and art history, and land use and environmental studies. Additional non-credit courses such as wilderness and remote first aid certification, canoe tripping, photography, painting and camps have been previously offered. The campus has been utilized as an experiential learning site for courses which have taken place at the university's main campus in Saskatoon.
"We are thankful to the volunteer Board of Directors and to the campus manager for their efforts and commitments to rejuvenate the campus over the past two decades," said Brett Fairbairn, provost and vice-president academic. "We are committed to offering diverse and high-quality educational experiences for our students."
Public questions about the suspension of the Emma Lake Kenderdine Campus operations can be directed to finances@usask.ca.