Algonquin College says it will be delaying the decision on whether to cut more than 30 programs as it assesses the impact of a recent funding announcement from the Ontario government.
Originally, Algonquin College’s board of governors was
set to decide on the program cut recommendation
on Feb. 23, but an email sent to employees Friday morning states that this decision will be delayed. A new date has not yet been announced.
The $6.4-billion provincial funding announcement for the postsecondary sector was announced Thursday, and Algonquin College administration say they don’t yet have details on how funding will be allocated and if it can be used toward increasing base funding for the programs on the chopping block.
“It is essential that our decisions going forward are made with a thorough understanding of the impacts this announcement will have on the college,” Algonquin College president and CEO Claude Brulé said in the email to college staff.
In late January, Algonquin College announced it was
contemplating cutting around 30 programs
as it looked to refine its “program mix” and be responsive to community and industry needs.
Over the last few years, colleges across the province have been dealing with financial challenges related to a
freeze on domestic tuition
and a steep drop in international students after the federal government set a cap on the number that could come to Ontario.
The provincial investment was announced alongside an end to the tuition freeze on domestic students, which
Brulé stated would be a “positive endorsement” in the college sector.
“We welcome this news,” Brulé said. “Sustained and predictable funding is essential to supporting learners, the communities we serve. and Ontario’s workforce needs.”
However, full impacts won’t be clear until administration have the chance to complete a full assessment, as Algonquin College “continues to face significant financial challenges and must remain focused on its long-term sustainability.”
This wouldn’t be the first round of deep cuts introduced by Algonquin.
Last year, 37 programs
, plus another four “dormant” programs, were cut and the college announced it was
selling its Perth campus
in response to a major financial deficit.
This round of proposed cuts has
sparked outcry in the community
, as students and faculty fight to voice the importance of the postsecondary programs in their respective industries.
Where Algonquin proposes to cut programs
At the Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence:
- Sustainable architectural design;
- Horticultural industries;
- Horticulture techniques — apprenticeship.
At the Pembroke campus:
- Business (still offered at the Ottawa campus and online);
- Business fundamentals (still offered at the Ottawa campus and online);
- Computer programming (still offered at the Ottawa campus and online);
- Environmental management and assessment (which is still offered at the Ottawa campus).
At the School of Advanced Technology:
- Manufacturing engineering technician.
At the Faculty of Arts and Media Design:
- Pathways to Indigenous empowerment (New Indigenous studies programs offered);
- Applied museum studies;
- Design foundations;
- Arts and science — Aboriginal (new Indigenous Studies programs offered);
- Journalism;
- Music, media and film foundations;
- General arts and science (except English for academic purposes);
- Music industry arts;
- Illustration and concept art
At the School of Business and Hospitality:
- Honours Bachelor of culinary arts and food science;
- Bartending;
- Business development and sales;
- Hospitality — Hotel and restaurant operations management;
- Tourism — Travel;
- Law clerk;
- Event management;
- Financial services;
- Paralegal
At the School of Health Studies:
- Pre-health pathway to certificates and diplomas;
- Pre-health pathway to advanced diplomas and degrees (which will still offered at the Pembroke campus).
At the School of Wellness, Public Safety and Community Studies:
- Recreation and leisure services;
- Fitness and health promotion (which is still offered online)
With files from Joanne Laucius
