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The Ethical Question of Offering of Degrees at the College Level
While there was a positive response to the proposed degrees overall, the issue of offering degrees at
the college level and whether it is consistent with the current notion of what a community college is
was brought forth by a few Stakeholders, as the offering of college degrees calls into question the
original mandate and mission of the college system.
The issue was also brought forth that the degree programs may actually cannibalize the diploma
programs offered in the same area of study.
The College Mandate of 1967 outlines that colleges are intended to be openly accessible and to offer
vocational training as an alternative to university. If the degrees require a relatively competitive
standard for entry, this may be in opposition to the mandate of open accessibility. Likewise, if there is a
chance that the degree program will ultimately cannibalize the diploma program this further opposes
the college mandate. A few expressed concern that college degree offerings would divert colleges from
their original mission of access and equity. That being said, some Stakeholders felt that the college was
adjusting to demands in the local market place by offering a degree that is now more accessible, which
is in part fulfilling the mandate to serve the community.
“I hear small business, lower income families see colleges as affordable post secondary option.
Affordability. I do hear that in smaller communities they don’t feel they have the access, not
raising our sights high enough for people in immediate area outside of London. They always
thought they would get job at ford plant but now they have to apply themselves more creatively
to entrepreneurship.”
“Students may go for the degree even though it is not in their best interest. If that happens we
may see diploma programs close. Now we are coming against the college mandate of 1967
which is to offer vocational training to students who choose not go to university. Our original
mandate is to be an open access institution; anybody who wants to come here can come here. If
we start limiting that, and no longer offer diploma programs in these areas then we are fighting
that mandate.”
“I don’t want to leave a group of students out in the cold because we don’t offer that diploma
anymore because it is now a degree.”
“I struggle with idea of having a degree. Why would we have technical college having an
academic degree Perhaps it gives the opportunity to different types of learner to achieve a
degree. Through educating the community. First few years not sure how it will be received but
we are coming in advantage because other colleges are offering it. And we can piggyback on
this.”
“However, as difference from college to college, I don’t know that they have to be significantly
different. If they are providing training for a particular business role, that business role probably
is fairly consistent in a variety of jurisdictions in Ontario. The question is do you have the
opportunity to acquire it within a given region The answer is no, not until we get this started at
Fanshawe college will it be available in SW Ontario. Colleges have traditionally been understood
as having a primary regional service function so that students can access opportunities and
LKSB Degree Program Feasibility Study • 2011
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