Bad signs

The good news from the First Nations University of Canada is that there's now at least a plan, thanks to a task force commissioned to address the problems. The bad news is that the plan seems based largely on avoiding everything that's been done to this point:

Among the findings of the task force:

- A lack of fiscal controls "may permit individuals to conduct themselves improperly."
- the fact the union has filed 13 grievances against the university is a concern and speaks to a lack of employee confidence in management.
- The task force is "uneasy" about the number of employees who have been hired outside the normal recruitment and selection process.
- A properly conducted search for a new permanent president for the university is crucial.
- A full-scale review of the administration is needed, including "a very hard look" at administration policies and practices at all levels.
- The university needs to have a full debate about the meaning of academic freedom in response to those who say it is being eroded.

The report also said the university is lacking direction and needs a clear plan for the future.

From the looks of the recommendations so far, the task force has only begun to scratch the surface of the problems, though the detailed report should make things a bit more clear.

As an institution, FNUC undoubtedly deserves enough investment of time and effort to make it into a success. But that unfortunately hasn't been close to enough to actually make it successful so far. The website doesn't report the number, but according to the CBC news (citing a number from the University of Regina), FNUC enrollment has dropped by 11% this fall. We can only hope now that the task force's detailed plan will be implemented before the last of the potential students vote with their feet.