After provincial budget cuts, the Red Deer College library had to reduce its hours, but recently students fought back to reinstate some needed quiet study time — breaking the online comment box.
The provincial budget this year cut 7.3 per cent in operating grant funding to all Albertan post-secondary institutions. And all institutions felt the pain, with RDC cutting 32 jobs, while nearby Olds College cut 25. Six programs were also cut at RDC.
But students at RDC rallied against the cuts made to the library hours. The library currently closes at 9 p.m., which some students felt was too early especially when they need to study. Some students are facing mid-terms and got the first taste of what the shorter hours were like.
“That’s what got the students asking questions and riled up,” said RDC Student Association president Martin Cruz.
Cruz met with the chair of the library department and asked how they can get the hours back.
They were told that if they got a ton of students filling out a suggestion box or letting the library know they weren’t happy with the shorter hours, officials may look at the change.
“Last week, we broke the online suggestion box,” said Cruz.
Because of the campaign, the hours have been extended to 11 p.m. during exam study weeks for the spring and fall terms.
“After the budget cuts, the students felt like their voices weren’t being heard,” said Cruz. “This was a perfect opportunity for them to voice their concerns and RDC was right on it in 24 hours.”
Cruz said the students were thankful for the college’s response to the concern and changing the hours.
mcrawford@www.reddeeradvocate.com