Ceramics to move off-campus

The Faculty of Extension voted to suspend its on-campus ceramics program yesterday while agreeing to investigate continuing the program off campus. According to Dean Randy Garrison, the decision means the faculty will help to relocate the program along with interested community partners.

"We would continue the programming, in a collaborative way doing all the things we do best," says Garrison, "that is, provide all of the administration and programmatic development and direction, but with more input from the community." The faculty would also maintain the quality of the program and as the certification process.

"I think it's a wonderful time to revitalize the program, and I think we can form a partnership to do that," he says. He added that "whether people like it or not," the expectations of the university have changed drastically in recent years to provide innovative programs in new areas, and "to become more relevant ... with resources that we generate." The current space, which the ceramics program has occupied since 1958, is now required for computer software curriculum in visual design.

However ceramics instructor Linda Stanier says she is "really disappointed" by the faculty's decision, claiming that, even if the transition to the community is successful, it could interrupt the program for at least a year while "partnering arrangements are ironed out."

She says three groups have expressed interest in housing the program so far: the Works Festival in their new downtown space, the Jewish Community Centre in the west end, and the City Arts Centre.

"I hope another committee will be involved in the process of transition, but it's all very unclear right now," says Stanier.