Although there’s still a lot of work to do, the Premier’s comments during Friday’s State of the Province Address were reassuring enough to mark a victory for UNBSJ. It was during this address that the Premier clarified that the University of New Brunswick in Saint John will remain the University of New Brunswick in Saint John with Liberal Arts programs, but also new programs in technical fields. In addition to this, the universities themselves will become responsible for organizing the necessary changes.
For me, it is great to know that all the rallie, letters, media coverage, and public uproar over this issue was enough to change the government’s direction, and prevent a major blow to this city and the province. Is everything good forever now? No, of course not. But at least the Premier is finally acknowledging the importance of the Saint John university and has now created an opportunity for UNBSJ to write a new chapter for itself. We must not become complacent and ignore what the government was originally considering. For now though, we can rest and celebrate.
Early on, I said that a “done” deal CAN be undone. We un-did a “done” deal. Too often, Saint Johners are perhaps too used to situations where government deals go through regardless of what the people want, but this is one notable exception for the history books.
History did repeat itself.
Tags: n.b., saint john, save unbsj, unb, unbsj