Algoma University pauses some first-year programs in budget restructuring efforts

Algoma university in Sault Ste. Marie has announced it's sidelining a number of first-year courses for the coming year, in an effort to lower its expenses.

Algoma University will temporarily pause several first-year courses in the 2025-26 academic year as part of cost-saving measures outlined in its newly approved operating budget.

The affected programs – geography, history, music, sociology, and visual arts – were selected due to low enrollment. The university emphasized that the move does not impact upper-year students and will not result in layoffs.

Interim President Donna Rogers described the decision as a “temporary pause” aligned with recommendations from Ontario’s auditor general.

“This year’s budget is about protecting Algoma University’s sustainability and long-term future so we can continue supporting our students’ academic journeys,” Rogers said in a news release.

The university operates campuses in Sault Ste. Marie, Brampton, and Timmins and markets itself for its specialization in cross-cultural learning between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

The $123.6 million budget, approved by the school’s board of governors on April 28, projects a modest $1 million surplus. It allocates $21 million for operations and research, $10.5 million for program delivery, and $9.8 million for scholarships.

In the news release, Rogers acknowledged financial pressures from provincial underfunding, tuition freezes, and federal restrictions on international student permits.

The university plans to offset losses through new revenue streams, including three master’s programs, alongside controlled hiring and voluntary exit incentives. Rogers stressed that no programs are being cut or suspended but warned that declining enrolment – down more than 50 per cent – requires difficult choices.

“It’s important to let our community know that this budget will not automatically cause layoffs or program cuts,” Rogers said.

“But we must be realistic. Significantly declining revenues mean we must make prudent decisions to protect our future and continue serving our students with integrity and care.”

With files from CTVNorthernOntario.ca journalist Cory Nordstrom