Uncertainty swirled around Athabasca University last week after a number of executive personnel changes sparked rumours about the schoolís future.
John OíBrien, manager of communications and media relations for AU, declined to provide any details on the personnel changes in question, regarding them as private matters.
AU president Frits Pannekoek sent a memo to staff last week in an effort to assuage concerns, a copy of which AU provided to the Advocate. In it, Pannekoek said rumours that AU would merge with the University of Alberta were completely unfounded and that he had received assurances from Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education Thomas Lukaszuk and local MLA Jeff Johnson that ìno plan exists, or is contemplated, to merge AU with the U of A or any other institution. They have also both emphasized to me that there are absolutely no plans to close the university.î
Pannekoek proceeds to acknowledge that the executive shuffle and the coming provincial budget may contribute to uncertainty about AUís future, but urged staff members not to engage in ìfear mongeringî.
OíBrien had a similar message for the community.
ìEveryone can stop worrying about the future of AU. We will continue to be a university based in Athabasca, and weíre not merging with anyone.î
The president did share some good news.
ìWe have just finished an analysis of our third quarter results and Iím happy to report that we will meet, or exceed, our budget commitments for the current fiscal year,î he wrote.
