‘Taking a hammer to the humanities:’ Profs say SMU slashing arts courses, putting jobs at risk
Around 50 arts and humanities courses at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax are set to be eliminated for the upcoming academic year, leaving numerous part-time professors without work, according to the union representing them.
The cuts are expected to take effect in May and will primarily impact the departments of English, religion, history, and languages and cultures, as stated by Erica Fischer, the vice-president of CUPE Local 3912. Fischer, who has been teaching Spanish courses at Saint Mary’s for over 13 years, expressed her dismay at her courses no longer being offered and the subsequent need to find alternative employment. Unfortunately, options are limited as other post-secondary institutions in Halifax are also reducing course offerings.
A list of courses for the 2024-25 academic year that are no longer available on the university’s internal schedule platform was provided by Fischer to CBC News. Courses such as Canadian political history and religious diversity in Canada are among those being eliminated.
Amid concerns about financial pressures faced by universities and potential government influence on post-secondary institutions, Lauren McKenzie, president of CUPE Local 3912, described the course cuts as a “significant escalation” of cost-saving measures. McKenzie highlighted that this reduction will significantly impact the available courses on campus and the livelihood of the instructors, many of whom possess valuable expertise in their respective disciplines.
The university administration at Saint Mary’s declined an interview request regarding the course cuts due to ongoing collective bargaining with CUPE Local 3912. However, a spokesperson mentioned that an annual course review is underway to assess the balance of courses taught by full-time and part-time faculty members, with a focus on prioritizing full-time professors. The spokesperson emphasized the importance of courses meeting a minimum enrollment requirement and stated that adjustments to course offerings are common leading up to the new academic year.
Disputing the university’s stance, McKenzie argued that more courses than usual are being eliminated, some of which were consistently popular and well-attended. The impact is particularly severe in arts and humanities departments compared to other faculties like science and business.
Syed Adnan Hussain, chair of the department for the study of religion, emphasized the pressure from the administration to make cuts, particularly affecting his department. He speculated that recent legislative changes in Nova Scotia, aimed at ensuring institutional sustainability and alignment with the job market, could be influencing the reduction in arts and humanities courses. Hussain suggested that addressing administrative bloat should be a priority in university revitalization efforts.
Despite the challenges faced by part-time professors and concerns raised by the union, the provincial government denied any involvement in the course cuts at Saint Mary’s University. Post-secondary institutions are considered independent entities responsible for their programming decisions, according to a statement from the Department of Advanced Education.
As the affected professors seek alternative opportunities and advocate for reconsideration of the course cuts, the future of arts and humanities education at Saint Mary’s University remains uncertain. The impact of these changes on the academic community and the broader implications for post-secondary education in Nova Scotia warrant further attention and discussion.
