A few weeks ago the University of Maine at Fort Kent was instructed to add 32 students to its 721. Last week it was mandated to eliminate several courses and terminate some faculty members this spring.

Now we read in the BDN of Jan. 16 that, “The state’s several technical colleges should continue their expansion into the community college realm.”

I don’t believe that it would be degrading the university when a few additions would be made to the present curriculum to satisfy the education of this supposedly neglected group. Fort Kent has an excellent, experienced faculty that could adapt to the two-year concept while providing the traditional four-year degree programs. Also, who knows how many students would continue to a bachelor of science degree after completing a couple years?

UMFK has a campus consisting of 11 well-maintained buildings capable of absorbing an untold number of students which, in itself, would be a big saving in new construction.

Washington and Augusta are in favor of more and better education, and there’s no superior place than at the beginning of Route 1 where UMFK has thrived since 1878. Normand E. Cyr Fort Kent

In Bangor Daily News we learned that the University of Maine System board of trustees had determined that in order to “grow” and survive, University of Maine at Fort Kent had to slash half its academic programs and get rid of 10 percent of its faculty. It must also increase its student population by 32 students a year. As one student said, “What will attract future students to this institution? Why should anyone choose this college — other than Valley students?” Let’s slash programs and faculty and increase the student body. Sounds like something coming out of Washington, doesn’t it?

In today’s Bangor Daily News (Jan. 25) in contrast, we have a new athletic director at the University of Maine, Orono, who has hired two new assistants. Do you think they’ll do a better job than the crew that preceded them? Plus, I’m sure there is a supportive staff to go along with all these administrators. Imagine what UMFK could do with the money from the salaries of these “essential” UM athletic director assistants! We could increase our faculty, thereby attracting more students.

By the way, do the USM trustees still think that the St. John Valley is part of the state of Maine, or do they believe they’re visiting Canada when they come up here! Marc Chasse Fort Kent