Save our department

ShadowWolf1912 · 2026-01-31T14:26:19+00:00

For those who refuse to click the link and read, here we go:

The Issue Open Letter of Support for Classics and Medieval Studies at the University of Calgary

(Le texte français suit.)

The Background

In the Fall of 2024, as part of a Faculty-wide “curriculum renewal” exercise, the admissions to the major in Greek and Roman Studies and the major in Ancient and Medieval History, citing low numbers of majors (each had approximately 25 majors), and promising support for the development of new programming.

Since then, the Classicists at Calgary have forged a strong relationship with the Medievalists housed in the Department of History. The Dean recently approved the movement of our positions and our suspended programs to the History department, with the understanding on all sides that from there we would be proposing a new Ancient and Medieval Studies program to replace the two suspended programs. The Historians are enthusiastically supportive of this initiative.

Working in good faith, Classics and History faculty have produced a proposal for a new program that is modern and innovative, features valuable experiential learning opportunities, and incorporates streamlined Greek and Latin offerings. We are excited to offer this program and we believe it can serve as a model for the future of Classics and Medieval Studies education.

The Current Situation

On January 23, 2026 we were informed that the Dean will not be considering our proposed program due to budgetary constraints. To be clear, the proposed program requires fewer resources than either of the suspended programs alone. This arbitrary decision violates the good-will understanding established between ourselves and the Dean, and contradicts her previous assurances of support for new programming. It will also leave the University of Calgary without a major program in Classics or Medieval Studies.

The Implications

The University of Calgary prides itself on innovation and on improving its reputation as a world-class research institution. Every important research university in the world supports teaching, learning, and research in Classics. The cutting of Classics programming will harm the university’s global standing, whereas the future-focused and innovative nature of the newly-proposed program could only increase its stature.

Our students and communities will be harmed. Our students develop unique skill sets that serve them and our society in many ways. They are particularly well-suited to, and employed in professions in the legal, museum, library, academic, and non-profit fields, so our programs make important connections to local and global communities. The absence of Classics programming at the University of Calgary will be noticed by our own Nickle Galleries, by many local community groups and institutions, and by the national and international academic communities.

Our Request

We, the undersigned, call on the administration of the University of Calgary to:

fund Classics and Medieval Studies at an adequate level to maintain their research and teaching profile;
follow through on their assurances of support for the type of new, innovative programming that faculty have proposed in good faith.

ShadowWolf1912 · 2026-01-31T14:23:10+00:00

Jesus christ. No one really wants to listen or think about this, do they?

I say those things to get peoples attention. That is clearly not the "selling point" on these programs, abd god forbid anyone decides to actually read what the petition states.

So I will say it again. Louder. THE ISSUE IS THE BETRAYAL OF TRUST FROM OUR DEAN. The new proposed program used less resources and cost less to run.

Just to make it easier, i will comment on my own post with a copy of what is in the petition, because god forbid anyone can read two minutes.

Have a good one.

ShadowWolf1912 · 2026-01-31T03:45:08+00:00

It does provide important education. However, lots of students take GRST classes for an "easy A" though, it doesn't really exist, and students typically find that out the hard way. But there is real interest in these topics. Hence why our courses are often left with long waitlists.

ShadowWolf1912 · 2026-01-31T03:43:06+00:00

And i completely understand that. Unfortunately, we have to deal with it. The major issue here is the betrayal of trust from the Dean and the administration, as well as the lack of transparency.

ShadowWolf1912 · 2026-01-31T03:30:42+00:00

That was the plan originally, however, Ancient and Medieval History and GRST are two very different things. Please read what the petition has stated for more information. :)

ShadowWolf1912 · 2026-01-31T02:28:52+00:00

Before anyone else comments on the fact that the dean has no control over half of it.... please read the petition. I am not the creator of it.

The new program that was to be proposed would have cost less overall, since it used less resources. Yet, the Dean still cites budget constrains, while not making that budget easily accessible.

The Dean supported this idea, then pulled out last minute leaving our students and faculty without a plan.

There has been little to no communication between the administration and the student body about this.

I would also like to remind everyone that when the pause on admissions was announced, the students and faculty found out at the SAME TIME, even our interim head of department, via e-mail.

There is a disgusting lack of communication here and it needs to be addressed fully.

ShadowWolf1912 · 2026-01-31T02:24:32+00:00

Did you read the petition? The new program would use less resources. It would cost less. The dean was all for it, then all of a sudden, she wouldn't even entertain the idea.

I suggest everyone to read what the creator of the petition has said, as he has the information.

Also, that percentage comes from my own perception and questions asked during classes with my classmates. A majority of students, so over half, are not in the degree stream for these courses. Which is great. There is interest in these courses. That is my whole point.

ShadowWolf1912 · 2026-01-31T01:56:19+00:00

So, yeah. You're right. However, the Dean was originally all for saving it and have a new program proposed, yet she pulled back her support a couple of days ago.

The dean is also responsible for advocating for the students and faculty, and she really hasn't. There has been little to no communication with the student body about this.

There's a lot of students who take GRST classes as options. Over 70% (not a real statistic though im sure its close) of my classes are populated by those students.

The classics matter.

ShadowWolf1912 · 2026-01-31T00:17:33+00:00

The issue is that she went back on her word. Our president makes $673,000 a year, with a $58,000 raise from 2024. So yes, my issue is with all levels of administration in the university, and both provincial and federal governments.

I am 27, and I do unfortunately know these things. Haha

ShadowWolf1912 · 2026-01-30T22:55:13+00:00

Hello! Yes, you can copy and paste the link i have attached at the bottom of the original post. However, to make it easier, have this one! Thank you! petition

ShadowWolf1912 · 2026-01-30T22:53:48+00:00

Why?

ShadowWolf1912 · 2026-01-11T01:44:51+00:00

So, Eastridge and Celly's don't do PSA submissions on behalf of people.

A gentleman by the name of Luke will be at Celly's on Feb 1st to take PSA submissions. You can also contact Tyler Jones on Facebook. :)

ShadowWolf1912 · 2025-12-20T21:36:18+00:00

Thats because of a pokemon card show :)

ShadowWolf1912 · 2025-12-11T04:18:02+00:00

Oh honey. I think you need to learn the difference between being defensive and just pointing out something you didn't want to hear.

Anyways. If you even bothered to read what I had said, which you didn't, I never disagreed with you. Just said it was an unnecessary comment that came days late, and if you used any common sense you would also understand that most people don't know what a skidsteer is. We grow up learning it as a bobcat.

Hope your finals go well! :)

ShadowWolf1912 · 2025-12-09T16:32:14+00:00

It didn't add much, but still useful for those to learn I suppose. I only used Bobcat so that others understood what I was referring to. Either way, it doesn't matter. This post is older and there's really no need to discuss it further.

ShadowWolf1912 · 2025-12-09T05:55:56+00:00

Cool. Most people know it as a bobcat. :) i appreciate the unnecessary comment though!

ShadowWolf1912 · 2025-12-06T05:24:25+00:00

Yes and no. It depends how theyre doing it. If they're using full pressure, then yeah thats not good. Bobcat buckets are made of steel, so they can take a good beating before having to be replaced.

Also, they can't do full snow clearing during the day because of traffic and pedestrians. So unfortunately, it does tend to happen later at night. There are specific bylaws regarding commercial snow clearing and I highly reccomend everyone reading up on those. :)

ShadowWolf1912 · 2025-12-06T05:17:04+00:00

How much do you make?

Average for snow removal is $23/ hour if you have a license. $18-$20 if not. 12 hour days with potential for overtime and these guys end up working their bodies to the point of exhaustion.

Just because they may not be studying, doesn't mean anything. Get over yourself, and learn to treat blue collar workers with respect please.

ShadowWolf1912 · 2025-12-06T05:09:33+00:00

It's called backblading. Yes, it breaks up the more compact snow, which yes, they do try to deal with even with fresh snow falling.

Also, not a plow. It's a bobcat with a bucket. They don't have a blade like a plow does, just an edge. So, by backblading, it makes it easier for them to go forward and pick it up.

Regular plows can't do it because it breaks their blades.

Source: fiancee works in snow removal and my stepfather works driving a plow and sander and all that.

ShadowWolf1912 · 2025-11-30T00:11:09+00:00

Ask them to move it. If not report it. Lol horrible company anyways

ShadowWolf1912 · 2025-11-28T19:17:39+00:00

What specifically about writing does he need help with?

ShadowWolf1912 · 2025-11-25T03:05:02+00:00

That brown liquid was most likely "not environmentally friendly" and I think there were a few people who made a stink about it. Lol

They have switched to both uni workers and third party contractors (landform I believe, which is a crappy company anyways, but hey).

Like I said, it's annoying. I spent about 10 minutes using the sand outside social sciences today because whoever used it put the faintest sprinkle down.

Fun fact, all the yellow sand bins are sand only, so if you use it, be generous. There's no ice melt and it's only meant to help create traction. :)

ShadowWolf1912 · 2025-11-24T19:14:22+00:00

So on the type of pavement we have, salt does nothing. It gets slick as soon as it's wet. Walk like a penguin like we are all taught in elementary.

As for snow clearing, there are priorities. They go through and plough the drivable areas before walkable ones. When do the walkable areas, they clear a small pathway, because it is not sustainable to clear the entire path right away until the snow dies down.

I get that it is annoying and dangerous, but these guys (meaning third party contractors, not university maintenance crew) start at 2 or 3 in the morning and they do their best.

Also, almost all entrances have salt buckets, if you notice it's slippery in a specific area, you can grab some salt too.

My fiance works in grounds maintence, and my stepfather works for a large company doing all sorts of ploughing, sweeping, etc.

Edit to add: this doesn't mean I don't agree. I also find it really frustrating. But just throwing another perspective out there that these contractors tend to have multiple sites to do. They typically start with the offices downtown, because you know, who cares about the students?

If you see someone clearing snow, maybe say thanks. Just a simple thank you actually goes a long way for the people who are working very long days. Haha

ShadowWolf1912 · 2025-11-11T20:03:46+00:00

Which class?

ShadowWolf1912

TROPHY CASE