Algonquin College is delaying a decision on whether to suspend 30 more programs after the Ontario government announced $6.4 billion in additional funding for colleges and universities and lifted the tuition freeze. The college’s board of governors was set to vote Feb. 23 on a recommendation to suspend more than two dozen programs. The college said the recommendations were being made to “ensure alignment with student and labour market demands, financial sustainability and resource optimization.” In a letter to students and faculty on Friday, Algonquin College president and CEO Claude Brulé said the new post-secondary funding is “welcome news,” but staff will need to assess the future impact on the college. “While this investment is a positive endorsement of our sector, Algonquin College continues to face significant financial challenges and must remain focused on its long-term sustainability.” Brulé said. “The announcement introduces a new funding formula, lifts the longstanding tuition freeze, and emphasizes priority program areas. A portion of the new funding is directed toward creating new seats, rather than increasing base funding for existing ones.” Brulé said the college will receive a “technical briefing regarding the announcement and the details of our allocation,” and will then conduct an assessment. “It is essential that our decisions going forward are made with a thorough understanding of the impact this announcement will have on the College,” Brulé said. “Accordingly, the consolidated program suspensions recommendation that was to be tabled at the February 23 Board of Governors meeting will be rescheduled. The College community will be notified when the recommendation has been rescheduled for the Board’s consideration.” The union representing professors and instructors at Algonquin College said it was “cautiously optimistic” some of the programs may be saved. “We’re thankful to hear that the administration is taking it seriously and is doing its due diligence,” Tracy Henderson, Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local 415 president, told CTV News Ottawa. “We expect to see that list certainly change.” Henderson is urging the college to be transparent in its decisions on the future of programs. “Our hope is that they would take the time to truly consider how this influx of funding can word towards supporting the programs that we have existing,” Henderson said. “We would, of course, be looking for no cuts. But if cuts are necessary, we’re asking that there would be a real consideration to the effect on not only our students currently, but our community as a whole moving forward.” Last year, Algonquin College cut 37 academic programs and four dormant programs and closed its campus in Perth, Ont. to cover a major financial deficit. Algonquin said the recommendations to close 30 more programs are part of “strategic program planning.” “Which includes responding to recent policy decisions by the federal government and prevailing provincial funding shortfalls,” the college said. “The recommendations are a necessary response to rapid and significant shifts in the post-secondary landscape, including enrolment volatility and changing labour market and student demand.” The Ontario government announced on Thursday it would provide $6.4 billion in new funding for colleges and universities over the next four years, including funding 70,000 more “in-demand seats” in post-secondary institutions. Ontario is also lifting the seven-year tuition freeze, allowing colleges and universities to raise tuition by up to two per cent a year for three years. Here is the list of programs recommended for suspension at Algonquin College, pending approval by the board of governors: Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence Pembroke Campus School of Advanced Technology Faculty of Arts and Media Design School of Business and Hospitality School of Health Studies School of Wellness, Public Safety & Community Studies With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Ted Raymond and Tyler Fleming and The Canadian Press
