Current and Future Neuroscience Research Under Threat by Federal and Provincial Governments and University Administration at Carleton University
OTTAWA, Dec. 15, 2016 /CNW/ - Carleton University senior administration has decided to unilaterally evict the Department of Neuroscience from their current building to make way for a new building project resulting from federal Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Funding announced in April 2016. On November 11, 2016, graduate students in the department were notified that their labs must be vacated by March 1, 2017 to meet timelines for the new building project. This eviction was unanticipated, poorly planned, and unreasonable, particularly in light of a second move slated for later in the year.
"All attempts to engage the administration in collaborative talks to find a mutually agreeable solution for a single move have been ignored or flatly denied," said Natalie Prowse, a graduate student in the department. "If this eviction proceeds, it will effectively bring most of the department's critical research studies in Parkinson's disease, stroke, neurodegeneration, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, regeneration, obesity and eating disorders to a complete stop."
On November 30th, Carleton University administration announced that they had unilaterally signed an agreement with the University of Ottawa to provide temporary space to the department. Due to the size and duration of occupancy, this facility will be unsuitable for much of the research currently being undertaken by the department. Additionally, this agreement contained no provision for wet lab space access, and provides less than half the animal care facility space that is currently in use.
"The current situation means that students attempting to obtain a research education will be seriously affected," said undergraduate student Greg Owens. "Many students will not obtain lab training promised and may have to be granted extensions in order to complete their degrees – meaning additional unexpected tuition and living expenses."
Students and staff in the Department of Neuroscience are actively working to pressure the senior University administration, the federal government and provincial agencies to work together to obtain an extension and hold off the eviction. Over 2,000 signatures have been collected on a petition that will be sent to provincial and federal officials requesting their intervention.
For a more detailed backgrounder, please visit: saveCUneuro.ca
SOURCE Save Carleton University Neuroscience
Natalie Prowse (Graduate Student Representative), at 613-293-1900 or [email protected]; Greg Owens (Undergraduate Student Representative), at 905-978-0510 or [email protected].
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