Last year it was discovered that the college was running a deficit of over $1,000,000. Shortly afterwards it was decided that students in programs with a base tuition of $2,000 must pay an additional $1,250 in technology fees. Why?

The problem with the college is that it is terribly inefficient with its administration and centre distribution. Holland College has 12 centres scattered about the Island, most with their own administrative bodies and operational costs.

In a fit of short-sighted patronage, the college has been spread across the Island in an effort to bring its benefits to the province as a whole, to the detriment of the college and its students.

If it had been localized in a single campus, as the vast majority of other learning institutions are, costs could have been more easily controlled.

There would be centralized heating, with a single heating plant, reduced administrative staff and associated costs, a smaller maintenance staff with less equipment and various other reduced costs due to centralization.

A single campus would also bring a greater spirit of unity to the students. As things exist now the centres are competitive with one another. With a unified campus, Holland College would have the talent pool to compete with other colleges and universities in such things as sports and academic debate.

All these things have been sacrificed by people who either lacked vision or lost sight of their goal. The result is college deficit and rising student expenses.

SD