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The Camosun College board has correctly refused to close the campus child-care centre, but CUPE Local 2081 wants them to call for a forensic audit to find out why the centre's deficit soared to $250,000 from $50,000 two years ago. The local, representing college workers, insists that an investigation is needed to see what brought on the current crises.
Louise Oetting, Local 2081's chief shop steward wants to know why college administration went directly to a recommendation to shut down the student child-care service without first trying to improve the financial outlook of this important student service when the deficit was first announced two years ago.
"The recommendation to shut down the service happened without any consultation and without looking at alternatives that might have mitigated the need for such a radical proposal," Oetting said. "There was no consultation with the student union, parents or staff - CUPE members or faculty."
High-quality day-care spaces are at a premium in Victoria as elsewhere across British Columbia, she added. "I'll be encouraging my fellow board members to seriously consider demanding a forensic audit of the college's child-care practices where finances are concerned and to make recommendations that will enhance, not diminish, the availability of good child care for college students on southern Vancouver Island."
The board announced last week (June 17, 2004) that it would oversee an independent review of Camosun's child-care services. Results of the review are expected in January 2005.
- reprinted from Canada NewsWire