Nipissing University pulling education program out of Brantford

Part of the Laurier Brantford campus is seen in Brantford, Ont.

Officials with Wilfrid Laurier University say they’re disappointed in Nipissing University’s decision to pull out of downtown Brantford.

Since 2002, the schools had worked together to provide a concurrent education program in that city, in which students received a bachelor of arts degree from Laurier and a bachelor of education degree from Nipissing.

Tuesday, Nipissing announced plans to leave the city after all currently enrolled students finish the program.

“The joint program was very successful, but the current funding environment has altered its financial sustainability dramatically,” said Dr. Michael DeGagné, Nipissing’s president, in a press release.

This year, 864 of Laurier’s approximately 3,000 students in Brantford were enrolled in the joint program.

Deborah McClatchy, Laurier’s vice-president of academic services, said in a press release that Laurier will do “all it can to support those currently enrolled” in the concurrent education program.

“This is an exceptional and well-respected program, and we will do everything necessary to ensure a continued high-quality experience for current students,” she said.

There are currently no plans to accept new students into the program for 2015-16, although Laurier’s release said school administrators were considering options for continuing the program past Nipissing’s full withdrawal.

Nipissing officials cited changed in the province’s funding model – including fewer funded spaces for education spaces – as the main reason for its decision.

“The pie has shrunk and neither side could find the room to maneuver to a new agreement that would be financially sustainable,” DeGagné said.

“We are in a better financial situation by welcoming more students to our North Bay campus.”