by Lexey Burns, Editor-in-Chief
Laurentian will be taking over Huntington’s Gerontology program and placing it into the Faculty of Arts.
Laurentian made the announcement following an emergency, in camera Senate meeting to determine the fate of the school as it goes through CCAA proceedings.
The announcement said that “The program will continue to be delivered through online learning. Existing Gerontology students can remain in the same program, and new students will be admitted in the ordinary course.”
No other Huntington credits will be able to be applied toward a Laurentian degree after the end of this existing term.
“All students currently enrolled in programs at Huntington will be offered a path to graduate through programs and courses offered directly by Laurentian,” the announcement said.
Huntington will continue to operate as an independent university. Buildings still owned by the university, including its residence, will function as normal.
“A Transition Agreement providing for the transfer of certain utilities and services is being negotiated between the parties, to ensure a smooth and cooperative transition, which may include the continued provision of certain services that the parties determine is beneficial.”
Dr. Krishnan Venkataraman, a Gerontology professor said “I believe that I deserve 1 happy moment a day. To learn that my students will get to finish their gerontology degree is my today’s happy moment!”
Venkataraman said he is happy for all of his students as they can now obtain their degrees without having to transfer into another program or to another university. He said he hopes that all of their anxieties and worries have been addressed.
“I am happy for them- I truly am,” he said.
“I am grateful that the program will live on. It is needed so that our older adults are supported and our students can be their caregivers, advocates and champions.
Venkataraman said that “Gerontology was initially housed in the Faculty of Arts” when he first joined Huntington.
“We transitioned over to the Faculty of Health as the program was a better fit there. Since Gerontology is multidisciplinary, it can potentially be housed in either faculty.”
This announcement comes after a wave of support for Gerontology professors on Facebook page, UMentioned Laurentian.
One post read, “I’d like to shout out to Dr. Pianosi for supporting us students and for remaining a source of strength for us. She has remained true to her word and Birgit, on behalf of your winter GERO17 class, we wish you the best and we love you!!”
Ashley Lafleur commented “It’s professors like this that make laurentian worth loving and fighting for. Lots of incredible professors that genuinly [sic] care and go above and beyond…yet go unnoticed by the big guys, It truly breaks my heart to see this.”
Lafleur also asked “I’m guessing the 5 day gero course will no longer be offered for LU students his spring?”
Venkataraman said the program Lafleur mentioned was GERO 2206, Men and Aging.
“I was assigned to teach this course. The last communication about this course is that it is cancelled. There is no additional news,” he said.
Venkataraman has taught the class once before. “As I age, it is fascinating to contextualize what is happening to me with the different frameworks provided in this course.”
Dr. Birgit Pianosi, a Gerontology professor, said that Huntington faculty “have not received ANY information from our own employer,” Huntington’s president – Dr. Kevin McCormick.
“He hasn’t even acknowledge the news from last week, yet! It is very disappointing, but not surprising!” she said.
The announcement encourages “Students in programs affected by Laurentian’s restructuring are encouraged to reach out to Dr. Joël Dickinson, Dean of Arts, at jdickinson@laurentian.ca to discuss the next steps in their academic path forward.”