Sudbury, Ont., college cutting ‘several’ programs popular with international students

The massive reduction in the number of international students allowed into Canada is forcing Cambrian College in Sudbury to cut several programs.

While the decision isn’t yet formally approved, Cambrian College is planning to stop offering several programs because of the sharp reduction in the number of international students.

Colleges across the province have been affected by the decision by the federal government to reduce the number of international student visas it approves by 35 per cent.

Boosted by record international student enrollment, Cambrian College posted a $41 million budget surplus for 2023-2024.

The surplus was a result of a record number of international students, which pushed the college’s tuition revenue to more than $176 million.

But the reduction in international student enrolment is having a major impact.

While its overall enrolment numbers are still strong, Cambrian spokesperson Dan Lessard said many courses popular with international students are no longer viable.

Meeting on April 23

“At the April 23 meeting of the Cambrian College Board of Governors, college administration will be recommending that the intake of new students into several programs be suspended for the fall term beginning this September,” Lessard said in an email Friday.

“Most of the programs in question rely heavily on international student enrolment. Most are not eligible for post-graduate work permits, as a result of federal policy changes. Furthermore, there is not enough domestic enrolment to warrant a new intake at this time.”

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Because the cuts have yet to receive formal approval, Lessard said he couldn’t name which programs face the chopping block.

“The suspension of intakes of new students into programs is a regular part of academic management on a term-by-term basis,” he said.

Low enrolment projections

“Projected low enrolment for these programs is driving this decision.”

Neil Shyminsky, president OPSEU Local 655, said they have been informed which programs are being affected but can’t yet comment.

The union represents more than 200 professors, librarians and counsellors at Cambrian.

“We’re having discussions with the college about how this affects our members but it’s all still unfolding and there’s nothing we can comment on right now,” Shyminsky said in a message to CTV News Northern Ontario.

Lessard emphasized that despite the changes, “overall enrolment remains strong.”

“We experienced an increase in domestic enrolment this past year and our projections for domestic enrolment for the upcoming year remain positive,” he said.

An official announcement on the cuts will be made April 24, he added, a day after the board meeting.