Thompson Rivers University says it has not made a final decision about the future of the Bachelor of Fine Arts program and other similar programs at the university.

In a statement, Gillian Balfour, TRU’s Provost and Vice-President Academic, says they’re about to engage in a process – as required by TRU policy – when it comes to program reductions and eliminations.

“In the next while, TRU’s senior executive will indicate to the Faculty of Arts, in writing, that fine arts programs are being considered for elimination or reduction,” Balfour said. “The letter will set out the rationale for this consideration and invite members of the school to comment. Those comments will be reviewed before the issue moves forward.”

“TRU’s governing bodies will be fully involved in the process. The Board of Governors will make final decisions after seeking the advice of Senate, which will seek input from both internal and external stakeholders.”

Balfour’s statement comes after a TRU spokesperson told NL News and other Kamloops media Monday that the university was ending its visual arts program.

“Over the next three years, TRU will be winding down its bachelor of fine arts (visual arts) program and will be launching new programming in the faculty of arts to better meet student demand in the city of Kamloops and beyond,” spokesperson Michelle Nordstrom said, in an emailed statement.

Balfour walked that back Friday saying it should not have happened.

“Recent stories in our local media have given the perception that decisions about the future of these programs have already been made,” Balfour said. “The initial question of the future of fine arts education at TRU emerged in a way that suggested that decisions have already been made. That should not have happened.

“I want to make it clear that TRU’s senior leadership has always intended to follow the process set out by the policy.”

The statement also comes after Alan Brandoli, an Associate Professor of Visual Arts, told NL News that there may be a glimmer of hope for the Bachelor of Fine Arts program as the decision to phase it out had not yet gone before the TRU Senate and Board of Directors.

For a program to be reduced or eliminated, TRU’s Board of Governors has to take into consideration financial effectiveness, student demand, graduate employment/continuing further studies, graduate employment/continuing further studies, or any other criteria it considers relevant.

“The fact is, TRU must look hard at the future of the BFA and similar programs to assess if they are sustainable,” Balfour said. “At the same time, there is growing demand from students for other programs. The provincial government – the primary funder of education in B.C. – has given institutions a strong mandate to offer programs that provide students with immediate employment opportunities.”

“Weighing the value of fine arts education against economic reality will be neither pleasant nor easy; however, it is necessary. What is most important to know now is that this decision will only be made following consultation with our community and in compliance with TRU’s policy.”

Balfour also went on to say that it might be “upsetting for many people” that the university is considering phasing out the Bachelor of Fine Arts program.

“The arts are an important part of our culture, both on campus in the broader community,” Balfour said.

“We appreciate the impact our graduates have had – and will continue to have – on arts and culture in Kamloops and elsewhere. We are proud of this legacy.”