Cuts threaten future of Kwantlen Polytechnic University's music program, students say

In the empty auditorium at KwantlenPolytechnic University's Langleycampus nothing can be heard but the sounds of Emma Dotto's voice echoing through the space.

Her voice is her instrument and it's one that's been given the chance to flourish and grow over her three years in the music program at the university.

It's a program she's committed herself to and thanked for her inspiration, but now it's one she saysshe feels is turning its back on her

The university administration saysit will not be opening its doors to new music program students for the2019/2020 school year.

"By advocating for this university so much, I was embarrassed to have, you know, been saying such good things when they turn around and kind of betray us in a way like this," Dotto said.

Salvador Ferreras is the provost and vice president, academicat the university and he says, as a musician himself,it wasn't an easy decision to make.

"KPU's budget for 2019-20 is projected to be larger than this year's, but with the university's expenditures increasing faster than its revenue, there was a forecast gap of about $12 million which we needed to close to deliver a balanced budget, as required by legislation," Ferrerassaid.

He says in order to avoid a deficit, some things have to give and the way the music program currently runs is not sustainable.

Ferreras hopes a review of the program, scheduled for the next school year, will help change that.

Hesays the work is necessary toidentify areas where the music programcanbe improved and where money canbe better spent.

Meanwhile, students like Dotto say while a review takes place, the music program is going to take big hits and begin to lose thereputation it has worked so hard to build for over 25years.

Right now, she saysthe program is full and so popular it's hard to even get placement in some courses.

But, come next year, she says, thegraduation of one class and no new students coming in will mean less students to fill a full music ensemble, less students to bring new talentto the programand less of an inclination for new students to join the program, if and when it opens its doors again.

Ferreras says ensembles don't always have first year students and they will still be able to function without a new class.

He says he understands the cutback on intakes for next year will inevitably lead to cuts in courses and jobs as well.

Music students say they intend to continue writing letters and requesting meetings with the president and vice president of the university in an effort to inspire some change to their decision.