The sudden firing of Camosun College’s president will cost the institution hundreds of thousands of dollars it doesn’t have, says the head of one of the college’s unions.

Kathryn Laurin was told June 20 that her contract would be terminated, just days before her second five-year term was to start on July 1.

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Laurin and the board have been silent on the reasons behind the dismissal, but it’s clear that it will cost the college hundreds of thousands of dollars in severance pay.

Tony Nelson, president of CUPE 2081, which represents the college’s support workers, said that’s a costly hit to the college in a time of fiscal restraint and provincial funding cuts. “This raises a whole slew of concerns that come to the forefront,” Nelson said.

Laurin’s salary in 2012-13 was just over $200,000 after her pension, benefits and expenses.

According to the Post Secondary Education Association compensation guide, an executive would receive up to 18 months’ severance for serving five years or more.

That could mean Laurin is entitled to at least $300,000, even more if she sues for wrongful dismissal. Laurin has said she is talking with her lawyer as she was dismissed “not for cause.”

“We’re already cash-strapped,” Nelson said, adding that two unions are heading into collective bargaining in the fall. “I want to know where that money’s coming from.”

The college’s board chairwoman, Marilyn Pattison, would not comment on severance pay or the reasons for the dismissal, saying it’s a confidential personnel matter.

Nelson speculated that Laurin was let go because she was a vocal critic of funding cuts by the provincial and federal government. Camosun lost $2.5 million in funding for English as a second language programs after the federal government announced it would award contracts directly to community and non-profit groups rather than flow money through the B.C. government to post-secondary schools.

Provincial government funding also dropped by five per cent this year, with further cuts expected over the next two years.

Nelson said the cuts have created a tense climate between college administration and board members. “It leaves the administration high and dry, and puts them in very tough situations. Where are the cuts going to come from? It pits everybody against everybody.”

When asked if this was the case, Laurin wouldn’t answer the question but said via email from Spain: “I have great respect and regard for Tony Nelson and his support for Camosun. We have worked closely with CUPE on labour adjustments related to budget.

“I have worked tirelessly to advocate on behalf of Camosun and our students, as I believe it was my responsibility to do.”

Laurin, 56, is on holidays until the end of July and on administrative leave in August so she will not be returning to the college. She said that after the June 20 meeting, she was asked to hand in her phone and clear out her office and was locked out of her work email.

Laurin was hired in 2009 to replace Liz Ashton, and her five-year contract was renewed in January. She said she went through a stringent review process that included interviews with internal and external stakeholders before her contract was renewed.

She has told the Times Colonist her dismissal was “completely unjustified.”

kderosa@timescolonist.com