Two additional Thompson Rivers University certificate programs have been placed on the chopping block alongside the university’s visual arts programs.

University senator Craig Jones said during a meeting Monday that the certificate of literary and art history and the drawing and painting certificate are being added to the proposed elimination of visual arts programs.

Jones said he first learned of the additional certificate programs’ potential axing in an email from university provost and vice-president academic, Gillian Balfour.

“On June 1, the notice that went to faculty talked about the reduction or elimination of bachelor of visual arts, the visual arts minor, the diploma, and visual arts certificate,” Jones said to Balfour during the meeting.

“And then in your email of Sept. 28, you’ve added to that list, near as I can tell, the certificate in literary and art history and the drawing and painting certificate.”

Jones said neither of the additional programs appear to have been subject to any previous notice to the faculty, senate or the board of governors.

“I think the BFA [bachelor of fine arts] is inclusive of many dimensions of programs, so the specificity of the language, visual arts, is meant to be inclusive of all these things,” Balfour responded.

“The responsibility of the dean under the policy is to consider alternatives, and those various programs will be part of that consideration that he provides us with.”

Jones questioned whether the additional two certificates should be included, saying many of the previous arguments for the elimination of the visual arts programs may not apply.

“I wonder if it is appropriate to leave such broad discretion to the dean after a termination process has begun,” he said.

“To simply pile in other courses that he considers sufficiently related to the courses on the block, and place those on the block after all of the debate has happened.”

The final decision for the elimination of the now five programs will be up to the university’s board of governors.

According to university policy, the board is required to request advice from senate when considering a program elimination or reduction before a final decision is made.

Jones said a solution may be to ask TRU’s board to vote on and articulate a request for advice.

As per university policy, the university held a special meeting last month at which members of the community and affected parties spoke largely in favour of keeping the BFA program.

Balfour said a presentation will be given to senate on Nov. 27 about the university’s program elimination and reduction policy.

Jones has previously raised concerns that the university may not be following policy in the proposed elimination of its visual arts programs.