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RDC to offer four-year business degree

In the future, students won’t have to leave Red Deer College to get a four-year university degree in business, thanks to Thursday’s provincial budget.

In the future, students won’t have to leave Red Deer College to get a four-year university degree in business, thanks to Thursday’s provincial budget.

Red Deer College president Joel Ward said the college may have to tighten its belt because of the province’s freeze in operating funding levels for post-secondaries, but expanding degree opportunities means growth for RDC.

“We were quite pleased about that. The government is taking a look at supporting degree completion opportunities at Red Deer College and assisting us in our stewardship responsibilities in terms of our mandate to deliver programming to smaller communities in Central Alberta,” Ward said on Friday.

The college received $250,000 for the projects.

Discussion is underway with the college’s university partners so business students at the Donald School of Business will be able to complete all four years in Red Deer.

The degree also means growth for Central Alberta and students can stay closer to home, he said.

“It’s more likely that (students) will stay here, settle here, get a job here, raise a family here, buy a house here, rather than losing them all to the big cities, Calgary or Edmonton, or perhaps even out of the province.”

RDC collaborates with universities to offer entire degree programs at the Red Deer campus for nursing, education, management, social work, general studies and some bachelor of arts degrees.

The business degree will mean 300 to 400 more students will get their degrees in Red Deer.

An announcement about the business degree is expected this summer. Renovations at the Donald School of Business in downtown Red Deer are expected to be completed and ready for classes in September.

Without an increase in provincial operating funds for the coming school year, Ward said RDC is still reviewing its options. He can’t say if there will be staff cuts or not.

“That will impact our operation for sure. We’re looking at efficiencies in our services and administration so we’re optimistic the impact will be minimal.”

Another blow was the suspension of the Access to Future Fund, in which the province matched public donations to institutions dollar for dollar.

Through the years, the province has given RDC $14 million in matching funds.

“When we went out to talk to our donors and said every dollar you give will be matched by government — that really resonates with people. We’re disappointed. But we’re hopeful they’ll be able to bring it back.”

The province will reconsider funding in two years.

RDC’s plan to build its $100-million Centre for Sport and Wellness is still awaiting provincial funding.

“We need it. Absolutely. It’s a huge part of our future. It will happen. It’s just not happening as quickly as we hoped and we understand.”

szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com