University Canada West - Controversy and Criticisms

Controversy and Criticisms

As the first private, for-profit university in British Columbia there is continuing controversy concerning the educational standards and governance that University Canada West would have to adhere to and whether it would down-grade other universities in Canada and British Columbia. In addition, there is continuing controversy regarding the business aspect of the school. For instance, the school has been sold twice in the last 5 years, is reportedly losing money, and recently closed down a campus.

In 2004, before University Canada West was established, the Canadian Association of Teachers (CAUT) released an issue of the CAUT Bulletin which featured viewpoints of considerable dismay towards the prospect of University Canada West. Norma Wieland, president of the Confederation of University Faculty Associations of B.C., was quoted saying "A university should offer a wide range of instructional programs backed up by an extensive research mandate, from the information that has been made available to date, David Strong's institution is nowhere close to meeting that goal." The same 2004 article also featured Cindy Oliver, president of the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of B.C., stating, "The B.C. government's emphasis on allowing the expansion of private universities is a failed vision," and "What we need in B.C. is for the government to commit to high-quality, affordable post-secondary education so that average and low-income students and their families are not disadvantaged. These private universities are notoriously expensive and certainly do not address the access problems for students." Robert Clift, executive director of the Confederation of University Faculty Associations(CUFA/BC), said, "The fundamental problem here is that it is impossible for the general public to know what they are getting with this institution. The public universities operate in an atmosphere of openness and accountability, but Strong has been able to conceal the details of his plans and yet still get government approval." The article reported that earlier in the year Strong was asked about the details of "the internal quality control process for degree programs and how academic governance would be structured," and Strong avoided the question by replying "the information soon would be made available on the UCW web site." In the article, Clift continued remarking, "At this point, it looks like faculty at University Canada West will have no formal authority in academic decision-making. There will be an advisory body, but it appears the final decisions about academic programs will be made by the corporate board of governors...Even though enrollment at these private institutions will be tiny compared to the total enrollment at public degree-granting institutions they have the capacity to generate a lot of ill will for everybody if things go wrong."

In 2009, Vancouver Sun reported that University Canada West has been losing $300,000 per month and was sold by David Strong to Eminata Group, who owns small colleges in Vancouver.

In March 2011, the University shut down its Victoria, BC campus for "business reasons". Students were informed by email that they could continue their studies online or transfer to the Vancouver campus. Some students are finding it difficult to get their credits transferred to other institutions; they are also unhappy that the university's announcement closing the Victoria campus came immediately after the final day for dropping classes without financial penalty.

In March 2012, The Province reported that ­dissatisfied students from UCW expressed “disappointment” with their experience at the university to BC Opposition leader Adrian Dix, who in turn called for a closer look at the regulatory bodies responsible for monitoring B.C.’s for-profit schools.

In October 2012, "over 30 students, graduates, faculty and former teachers and employees interviewed by Hindustan Times have alleged that it is a university only in name, and that many of them were duped." .