Public vs. Private universities in Canada
Macleans.ca is discussing the public vs. private university debate and have mentioned both Redeemer and Quest as examples of the few private university offerings in Canada. It’s a touchy subject in Canada, but I think it mostly comes down to an issue of money, not morals. (Doesn’t it always?)
Many Canadians don’t realize the extent to which our university tuition is subsidized by the government. If you’ll allow me to grossly oversimplify for the sake of expediency, pretend that university tuition in Canada really costs the same as university tuition in the US, but that our government pays difference in the “sticker price.” So, a private university, which would not receive this government subsidy would need to charge a significantly higher tuition, thereby pricing this private education out of the reach of the average Canadian student. It’s an easy argument to say that only the wealthy will be able to afford this kind of education for their children, so therefore these private schools will create a two-tiered education system wherein the wealthy receive the “better” education. So, we don’t dislike private universities so much because we dislike their offerings. We dislike them because not everyone can afford to attend them.
As an advocate of choice, I don’t have a knee-jerk fear of private universities. Redeemer University is a good example of a private university providing students with more choice: a fair compromise that allows a Christian university to offer degrees while not funding a religious mandate with secular tax dollars.
Quest University is a different kettle of fish. As a secular institution offering a liberal arts education which wouldn’t automatically disqualify it from public funding, but its unique common curriculum and block scheduling are just some of the features that make it a very different kind of university. So, do we need it and schools like it?
In an age where all the information you need for an undergraduate education and more is available freely on the internet, I don’t think our public universities are the gatekeepers of higher education that they once were. If students wish to access facts and ideas privately instead of through a public institution, and can satisfy the province’s accreditation requirements, then I don’t see why they shouldn’t be allowed to earn a degree for the same calibre of work.
That being said, to protect our current public system, I’d probably want a private university to be providing something that a public university can’t or won’t: a religious curriculum, alternative program offerings, unique delivery methods, optional attendance etc. Our public institutions already allow students to choose from a variety of sizes, programs and locations. There are even established, credible distance and independent study programs. Most students should be able to find an existing undergraduate program at a school that works for them. But, far be it from me to put up obstacles to innovation and experimentation.
If you just want to imitate what our schools already offer, then no thanks. But I say, if you want to try something different on your own dime, then why not diversify the educational landscape in Canada?
Another idea that comes to mind, but that I haven’t fully thought through yet: do you “suffer” when you drive a $30,000 car simply because some companies produce $100,000 cars? Are you suddenly driving a second-class car, or are you just suffering from envy created by a slick marketing team? Assuming both cars are in decent, working order and assuming that you’re a competent driver, don’t you arrive at your final destination no matter which car you’re driving? Someone else may choose to over pay to ride in a little more comfort and style, but if you have a full tank of gas, a good map and a healthy supply of tunes, there’s no reason why someone else’s choice should stop you from having a great road trip.
Read the Macleans articles here:
http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2008/12/13/public-vs-private-universities-in-canada/
http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2008/12/18/the-private-university-debate/
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The US has public universities, too. They are at state level though and the subsidized tuition is only available to in-state students.