The University of Calgary held one of their oft-repeated publicity stunts again this week, only this time there was a twist: there was something worth publicizing, and the fireworks were mysteriously absent.
Following on the heals of a slew of “groundbreaking” ceremonies held over the past eight months to celebrate new buildings and projects that are unfortunately little more than long-term budget projections, the Advanced Education minister was on campus Wed., Nov. 15 to announce some actual financial commitments.
The planned U of C veterinary school–which has been delayed multiple times–will be getting $64 million, and the Child Development Centre will receive $34 million. The U of C fronted the cash in the first place, under the promise that the government was good for it. Apparently they were.
Unfortunately, less clear is whether they will fund the U of C’s lofty capital plans to increase student enrolment by 7,000 students by 2010. Despite administration heralding the new age for U of C growth with PR spectacles to rival the Calgary Stampede, little more than some planning money has been secured so far.
While this recent announcement is a welcome one, students should take unbelievable administration claims–like building four huge capital projects on a four year deadline–for what they are, unbelievable.
It would appear that when there are actual concrete financial commitments to report, the cheap theatrics are less necessary.