Thompson Rivers University will be discontinuing four visual arts degree and diploma programs.

In a statement Monday evening, TRU says its Board of Directors voted to end the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Arts, major), the BA (Visual Arts, minor), the Diploma in Visual Arts & the Visual Arts Studio Certificate programs.

It says students currently enrolled in the affected programs “will have the opportunity to complete their credentials” and that faculty who are teaching the impacted programs “will not be affected.”

“Every university, including TRU, must change and adapt to what students, the job market, and communities need now,” Board Chair Marilyn McLean said, noting the cancellation was “not an easy decision” to make.

“We must also meet the expectations of our primary funding partner – the provincial government. By doing this, TRU is acting responsibly to ensure the best use of public dollars.”

In the statement, McLean also said that graduation rates in the affected visual arts programs “have always been low.”

“These programs have not suffered declining enrollment, but perpetually low enrollment,” McLean said. “There have been many attempts to envision changes to the programs to ensure its relevance over the years, but without success.”

“It’s time to move in a new direction that provides different kinds of equally valuable opportunities to larger numbers of students.”

TRU says its Faculty of Arts will redirect “limited and unchanging resources” to other programs which include the possibility of criminology, counselling, communications design, and Indigenous studies.

Gillian Balfour, TRU’s Provost and Vice-President Academic says the vote – which was made at a special meeting of the Board on Monday – “does not end” visual arts training at the university.

“Many arts courses will continue and possibly expand, especially ones that have served as popular electives for undergraduate students in other programs,” Balfour said.

“As well, the space currently used by the visual arts programs will be available now for pressing student services and more classroom space, both of which are desperately needed.”

McLean said in the statement that she acknowledged that the Board’s decision comes after “contentious” debate.

“The Board understands the passion and connection many in the community have to the arts,” she said. “We know that TRU has played an important role in developing artists in Kamloops and beyond.”

“We are proud of that legacy, and we will continue to provide opportunities for people to explore artistic endeavours.”