Perhaps URcomm attempted cutesy-fartsiness when it posted this video as a news story on the front page of the University of Regina’s website.

the regina mom thinks it’s kinda hurtin’ to see that there, especially when there are hard times at the U of R.  An Academic Program Review that was done cheaply and poorly, rejigging by the Administration and reduced funding from the right wing Wall government have forced cuts across the board within the institution (even though The Premier Himself says the province’s economy is booming).

However, certain faculties at the U of R will face deeper cuts to their budgets because the research dollars they bring in are lower than those of other faculties.  It seems, then, that Arts, Fine Arts and the Humanities faculties — the fundamental pieces of any university education — are under attack.  And the regina mom finds that to be very sad, especially because the U of R was once regarded as one of the most progressive institutions in the country.

It strikes the regina mom rather hard right now because she’s been hearing from her daughter, a student at the University of Ottawa, about the Orientation Week activities on that campus.  In particular, the regina mom is excited about the Alt101 activities, offering up something a little more real to students.

No doubt, student groups at the U of R are doing their best to be real with new students, too.  With an administration that treats new students to meaningless tripe such as the video above, it’s not gonna be hard.

Check out the Facebook page, Community Support for U of R Arts, Fine Arts & Humanities Programs, for the story as it unfolds.