The University of Victoria has discontinued an almost 20-year-old program that provided free, non-credit courses to people who have difficulty accessing higher education, citing “recurrent psychological and physical safety concerns” for participants, instructors and staff.
The decision to cancel University 101 was made by the Senate Committee on Continuing Studies in April after the university concluded the level of effort needed to maintain safety and oversee the mostly volunteer-run program was unsustainable.
More than 400 students have participated in University 101 since it began. The last session took place in February.
A UVic spokesperson said the program had been suspended twice since 2023 to address classroom management. The university also brought in a consultant to help educate participants, but ultimately, it wasn’t enough to save the program.
The university said it could not comment on specific University 101 incidents where safety was an issue, or share any details relating to staff involvement.
Launched in 2006, the program offered free meals, transportation and child care to students, many of whom were older than the typical university student. In some cases, it served as a bridge for students to continue pursuing their education.
Over the years, courses were taught by volunteer faculty members mostly from the humanities and social sciences.
Sociology professor William Carroll, who regularly taught students in University 101 over the years, said he was disappointed when he learned the program would be cancelled.
Carroll said the program allowed faculty to connect with people who are disabled or living in poverty. He said it’s a shame the university would cancel programs not considered essential, citing the UVic Speakers Bureau as another example.
He called teaching University 101 “quite gratifying and even inspiring.”
“The students were very motivated and nobody was in it for the credential or the money. So from an educational perspective, it was a great experience all around.”
The Times Colonist contacted previous members of the University 101 administration committee but they either did not respond or declined to speak about the demise of the program.
Stephanie Sweetnam, the last University 101 program co-ordinator, said in an email that she could not comment for legal reasons, but declined to elaborate.
