Spring 2011.
That's when the government will announce a decision on a proposed merger between two local educational institutions.
The announcement was made in Muenster on November 12, by Rob Norris, Minister of Advance Education, Employment and Immigration Minister.
The provincial government, he stated, has contracted Meyers Norris Penny (MNP) to conduct a consultation and assessment process of the proposed amalgamation of St. Peter's College (SPC) in Muenster and Carlton Trail Regional College (CTRC) in Humboldt.
The two institutions presented the provincial government with a joint proposal to amalgamate last June.
"Government's priority is to ensure that the learners of Saskatchewan receive the best education possible," Norris said. "It is important that we hear the opinions of all stakeholders."
The two institutions have worked collaboratively over the past decade to deliver post-secondary education and training opportunities. SPC offers first- and second-year university courses in Arts and Science, Business, Kinesiology and Agriculture.
CTRC delivers credit and non-credit programs and courses in adult basic education, technical and vocational training, university programming and personal development courses.
Consultations will consist of focus sessions, one-on-one interviews with stakeholders, as well as online and written submissions. MNP, in co-ordination with SPC and CTRC, will provide information on the consultations in the coming weeks.
Receipt of the MNP report on the consultations is expected in early 2011, and government will use the findings to evaluate the SPC and CTRC merger proposal, particularly its alignment with provincial goals for post-secondary education, public interest and the success of Saskatchewan students.
It is anticipated that a decision will be made in spring 2011.
Norris called this process a "fair and progressive approach," adding that the government wants to make sure they are attentive to those who have raised comments and concerns about the merger.
"We want to make sure no stone has gone unturned when the decision is taken in the course of the next few months," Norris noted.
They hired MNP, he added, because they wanted to get a third party into the community to hear from stakeholders, so they can be sure to understand those in support of the merger and those who have concerns.
Norris' announcement wrapped up remarks by a number of speakers at SPC on November 12. Norris, along with representatives from SPC's staff, faculty, students and board, and local MLAs Donna Harpauer (Humboldt) and Delbert Kirsch (Batoche), had received a tour of the recently renovated floors of the college's Michael Hall - renovations that were paid for, in part, with funds from the provincial government.
Representatives of Miner's Construction, the general contractors for the renovation project, which is still underway, also went on the tour.
After examining the room hoped to house a nursing program at SPC on the fourth floor, then the science labs in the basement of the building, Norris and the rest of the tour group joined a group of approximately 60 college staff and local leaders in the Jerome Assembly Room at St. Peter's Abbey to make his remarks.
"On July 9, 2009, Minister Norris and Minister Harpauer and MP Brad Trost stood in front of Michael Hall, where it was announced that there was a growing and emerging partnership between CTRC and SPC," stated Glen Kobussen, president of SPC in his address.
At that time, Norris also announced the investment of $4 million in the new CTRC building, which will be attached to the new high school and Uniplex in Humboldt. Norris also announced the provincial investment of $3 million, as well as $6 million in KIP funding, to the renovations of SPC.
"Today, 17 months later, the fruits of the provincial government's investment is becoming a reality," Kobussen said.
Another culmination, this time of four years of work and research by the CTRC and SPC boards, came in June 2010, with the submission of a formal proposal to the provincial government to expand the long-time partnership between the two entities to a merger or amalgamation of the two.
Why do they want to merge?
"This is about our learners and communities," Kobussen said. "Although there are a large number of benefits that range from synergies to new and unique opportunities, all will enable the new organization to be more effective, efficient and responsive to learners and the community."
They have spent over 20,000 hours in the past 10 months researching and conducting stakeholder and community consultations regarding the merger, Kobussen claims. They surveyed over 2,300 students, 900 adult learners and 50 business and industry focus groups. They have also met with local mayors, councils and community members.
The merger, Kobussen claims, will expand the breadth and depth of services offered by the two institutions.
Since the CTRC and SPC have worked closely together, enrolment at SPC grew by over 50 per cent last year, and by another 10 per cent this year, he stated.
At CTRC, enrolment in the Adult Basic Education program grew by 100 per cent this year, and credit programs are full - a growth of 15 per cent.
"We at CTRC and SPC have gone from having relatively uncertain futures to one that is bright, prosperous and nationally recognized," Kobussen said, thanks to the leadership shown by both college's boards and by Norris and his Ministry.
"We've changed our destiny. We've changed our future," he stated.
Chairs of both the SPC and CTRC boards - Fr. Demetrius Wasylyniuk of SPC and Marlene Latreille of CTRC - expressed their thanks to the provincial government for their funding and for their moral support in the proposed merger.
Speaking on behalf of the faculty, Dr. Barb Langhorst of SPC stated that "We are so pleased with the way our collaboration has gone to date. We look forward to giving back by producing every more timely, efficient and innovative programming for the future."
Murray Cooke, a welding instructor with CTRC, commented on the recent upgrades done to the welding shop in Humboldt. He believes, he said, it will turn out tradespeople who are sought after.
Students Chelsea Kosokowsky (CTRC) and Alison Hinz (SPC) spoke of the benefits they see coming out the merger of the two institutions, including more social events, more clubs, teams and sports teams with the larger student body.
As to what Norris announced, Kobussen stated that it was absolutely what he was hoping to hear.
"I am confident there's lots of benefits to the learners and community (with the merger) and it's important to hear all sides," he stated.
Though both colleges have already done public consultations, Kobussen indicated that it will be interesting to hear what a third party uncovers.
