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Wednesday, January 23, 2008

they didn't have a plan.

You know it has to be election-related when the Alberta Tories start putting serious money into post-secondary education. I have no desire to highlight the pre-election goodies that will be dolled out by the Stelmach Tories. Rather, I think it is important to point out an extremely bizarre comment from University of Alberta Board of Governors Chair Brian Heidecker. When asked about the cash infusion, Governor Heidecker - a well-known and connected Tory-supporter and former Tory candidate - responded:

"Being 100 years old means a lot of deferred maintenance."
Actually, no.

The U of A being 100 years old [and doing a piss poor job of taking care of public infrastructure] means a lot of deferred maintenance.

It's about properly maintaining the public infrastructure so that the generator in university *Building Z* that was meant to last 30 years actually lasts 30 years (and not only 10 or 15 years). It's about not only taking past investments into public infrastructure seriously, but taking current public funds and taxpayers dollars seriously. It's about having a plan.

With roughly half-a-billion dollars in deferred maintenance at the U of A alone, it's clear that the those in the University of Alberta administration and in the Tory Government charged with the responsibility of maintaining the public infrastructure in Alberta's post-secondary sector haven't been taking that responsibility seriously.

They didn't have a plan.

4 comments:

Idealistic Pragmatist said...

Ah, but if only they were actually putting money into EDUCATION instad of just buildings. That would surprise me a lot more.

Glen said...

Amen Dave, Amen!

Steven Dollansky said...

This is a great example of the University trying to tie the centennial to some of the most bizarre topics. Certain pictures of prisoners being tortured by U.S. troops are posted around campus with a bright centennial logo on the bottom. I just don't get it.

How does 100 years affect class sizes, student debt, or residence rent is what I'm wondering. The investment is a good one, and much needed, but we've got a lot more work to do...

Anonymous said...

DAVO! THEY DIDNT HAVE A PLAN!

DO YOU KNOW WHO DOES HAVE A PLAN? BRIAN MASON SOCIALISM!

REVOLUTIONARY SOCIALISM FOR ALBERTA! VOTE FOR THE REAL ALBERTA SOCIALISTS! VOTE FOR THE BRIAN MASON AND ALBERTA NDP!

BRIAN MASON ROCKS MY SOCIALIST WORLD!