Minister launches White Paper on Public Post-Secondary Education

In keeping with government's commitment, John Ottenheimer, Minister of Education, today announced the details of government's process to commission a White Paper on Public Post-Secondary Education. Dr. Wayne Ludlow has been appointed Commissioner to examine public post-secondary education in this province, and Mr. Cyril Farrell will serve as Advisor to the Commissioner on key issues with respect to the College of the North Atlantic.

The 2004 Speech from the Throne committed the province to commissioning a White Paper on Post-Secondary Education to examine post-secondary concerns, affordability and accessibility, and to identify initiatives that will enhance the employment prospects of graduates. It further committed to examining whether Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic are meeting their potential to attract investment and generate economic development opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Government recognizes that an educated population is the strongest foundation upon which to build the future of our province," said Minister Ottenheimer. "This review will examine all aspects of our public post-secondary system to ensure it is strong, vibrant and well positioned to contribute to the economic growth of our province and the employment prospects of our graduates, while preserving quality, accessibility and affordability."

The Commissioner will begin immediately to schedule consultations with key stakeholders including Memorial University, the College of the North Atlantic, student groups and business and industry representatives which will be conducted throughout the summer and early fall. The Commissioner will then prepare a report which government will draw upon to set out its plan to ensure the public post-secondary education system is positioned to address the challenges and opportunities of today and into the future."

"Our society is experiencing dramatic demographic, social and economic changes," said Minister Ottenheimer. "A strong post-secondary education system is key to helping us prepare for these changes, and I have every confidence in Dr. Ludlow and Mr. Farrell's ability to lead us in a thorough and productive process."

The publicly funded post-secondary education delivery system in Newfoundland and Labrador consists of the College of the North Atlantic and Memorial University of Newfoundland, including the Fisheries and Marine Institute and Sir Wilfred Grenfell College. Student enrollment at Memorial consists of approximately 14,000 full-time students and 3,000 part-time, while full-time enrollment at the College of the North Atlantic is around 8,500.

For more information, the public may view the Department of Education's Web site at:
//www.gov.nl.ca/edu/

Media contact: Lynn Salter, Communications, (709) 729-0048

BACKGROUNDER

Cyril Farrell
Cyril Farrell's distinguished career in adult education in Newfoundland and Labrador spans almost thirty years and includes experience at both the academic and administrative levels. He holds a Master of Education (Adult Education) from the University of New Brunswick, as well as a BA (Ed) from Memorial University, in addition to other credentials in the adult education field. He has served in a variety of positions in the college level post-secondary education system in this province, most recently as Director of Programs with the College of the North Atlantic. His work experience also includes playing a leadership role in establishing a campus of the College of the North Atlantic in the State of Qatar. Currently he is on secondment to the Atlantic Provinces Community College Consortium as its Executive Director. He resides and works in Grand Falls-Windsor.

Mr. Farrell has had considerable input into strategic planning for the public post-secondary college system. His various positions have given him the opportunity to demonstrate leadership in all aspects of college life, including program development, student services, finance and support services, human resources, information systems and community and corporate services. His practical and academic experience make him well suited to advise the Commissioner on key issues with respect to the College of the North Atlantic.

Wayne Ludlow
Wayne Ludlow has had a thirty-year career with Memorial University, sixteen of which were spent at the senior executive level. He has been involved in the depth and breadth of university life, holding positions with Student Affairs, Special Programs (Vocational, Industrial Arts, Adult, and Native Education) and administration, as well as teaching education at the assistant, associate and full professorial levels. Between 1983 and 1999, he served as Dean of Student Affairs Services and Professor of Education. In 1980-1981, he held the position of Assistant Dean of Education. He is currently serving as the Newfoundland and Labrador Administrator for the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation.

Dr. Ludlow has dedicated his career to helping MUN achieve excellence. He is the recipient of awards for his promotion of student services and student services professionals, has served on a variety of university committees, including the Senate, chaired the Presidential Committee on the Co-ordination of High School Liaison, Admissions and Scholarships for Entering Students, and was University Chair for the Atlantic Accord Career Awards Board. In recognition of his outstanding service to Memorial University, he recently received the Alumni Tribute Award.

Dr. Ludlow holds Bachelor degrees in Science and Education, and a Master of Education (Educational Administration) from Memorial, as well as a Doctor of Education in Curriculum Development and Educational Field Experiences from The University of Northern Colorado.

Dr. Ludlow's academic background, his years of experience and his contribution to university and community life make him an excellent choice to lead the process which will help formulate government's White Paper on Post-Secondary Education.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Overview:

• Newfoundland and Labrador's post-secondary education system consists of publically funded institutions including the College of the North Atlantic (CONA) and Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN). Several health related programs are also offered through regional health boards.
• Within the province, MUN operates a St. John's campus, including the Fisheries and Marine Institute and Sir Wilfred Grenfell College in Corner Brook. Memorial offers a comprehensive range of programs including undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees, as well as certificate and diploma programs. Fall 2003 enrollment was about 17,000 including both full-time and part-time students.
• CNA operates 17 campuses throughout the province including two in Labrador, as well as a campus in the State of Qatar. A broad range of career programs are offered including certificate and diploma programs. The 2003-04 enrollment is about 8,500 full-time students.
• The Health Care Corporation of St. John's and Western Health Care Corporation provide degree, diploma and certificate training to nurses and in other health-related disciplines.
• Hundreds of millions of dollars are invested in post-secondary education annually through sources such as provincial operating grants, student aid, tuition and the Labour Market Development Agreement.
• Demographic changes in the population have been dramatic. Since 1991, the province's population has declined by 8.8 per cent due primarily to declining birth rates and net out-migration. The population is aging and becoming increasingly urban and it is expected that the demographic changes will impact post-secondary education. For example, by 2010, adults over the age of 29 will account for 69 per cent of the population.

Review Scope:

• The existing public post-secondary structure. This includes both location and governance for Memorial, including the Marine Institute, Sir Wilfred Grenfell and Harlow. Also included is the College of the North Atlantic with its 17 campuses.
• Funding of post-secondary education including:
  • operating grants to public institutions;
  • tuition fees including impacts on affordability and access;
  • student aid programs including loans, grants and bursaries;
  • federal funding including LMDA funding; and
  • use of tax incentives including tax credits.
• Impacts of population changes including the aging adult population, the declining youth population and shift of population to urban centres.

Issues and Challenges:

• What are the right tuition and student financial assistance policies? Are they consistent with alternative sources of student income, the financial health of the university/college and the expected future grants from the provincial government?
• What is reasonable access given the geographic disbursement and the projections for future population shifts?
• Is there sufficient cooperation and collaboration within the public post-secondary system?
• Given the level of public investment in our post-secondary institutions, is the public system meeting its mandate in the most efficient and effective manner possible? For example, are there co-location or service sharing opportunities within post-secondary institutions and the K-12 school system that can enhance access and achieve efficiencies?
• Are there ways in which the regional campuses of MUN and CONA could be used more innovatively and effectively so as to contribute more to social and economic development in rural Newfoundland and Labrador?
• Does the public system respond to the needs of individuals without the minimum academic requirements for post-secondary? To what extent is the system addressing the barriers to post-secondary participation for the adult population in support of life-long learning?
• Are the university and college programs responsive and aligned to the needs of the labour market, the economy and the province's economic development agenda? What are the employment prospects of graduates?
• How successful has the post-secondary system been in marketing their research outcomes and educational systems and products in an effort to attract investment and generate economic development opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador?
• How effective have the post-secondary institutions been in partnering with industry and the community in conducting basic and applied research that has strong economic development opportunities?
• What are the infrastructure challenges facing the post-secondary system, and how might these challenges be addressed?
• Is the post-secondary system capitalizing appropriately on out-of province and international student recruitment?
• Are the existing accountability measures sufficient to evaluate the public investments in post-secondary education? Is the public realizing an appropriate return on investment?

Costs:

• Estimated at $250,000.

Timelines:

• The Commissioner and Advisor will hold consultations during the Summer and early Fall 2004.

2004 06 29                                        9:30 a.m.