Algonquin College hosted its Spring Open House on Saturday to welcome prospective students to the hallways for a show and tell of what’s on offer for programs, but it comes as the post-secondary institution recently suspended 30 programs. Claude Brulé, the college’s president and CEO, said there were more than 170 programs featured at the open house. “The future looks bright,” Brulé said. “We are going through some efficiencies that allow us to really focus on areas of priority for the college, for our community and priorities that align with the government’s goals as well.” More than three thousand prospective students and parents roamed the hallways at the Ottawa campus of Algonquin College to learn about the programs that are still available for the upcoming Fall semester. “I got accepted into winter, so I’m really excited about that,” said Grace Cleasby, who was touring the facility with her mom. “I am still considering which college to go to, so this is like a great opportunity to see the campus.” “It’s been really awesome to see all the buildings and meet with all the people,” said Rachel Cleasby, Grace’s parent. “It’s been really good for her too.” The Spring Open House comes only weeks after the college’s board of governors voted to suspend thirty programs. “We obviously have programs that will no longer be offered at the college,” said Brulé. “We are teaching out those programs so the students who are currently in those programs will get to finish what they’ve started.” It’s a move that comes as the institution faces funding shortfalls and a decline in international enrolment. “We’re wanting to be able to reinvest,” said Brulé. “We’ve already demonstrated that this past year with new life science labs and we’ve got new investments coming up in new learning facilities.” There were more than 170 programs on display at the open house, which ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event featured everything from construction, aircraft maintenance, veterinary technology, and culinary skills. “Most certainly we have a large shortage of aircraft maintenance people in Canada,” said Timothy Robinson, who is a full-time professor of the program. “We are losing more than we are replacing as a result of baby boomers who are retiring or leaving the field.” Valerie Griffin and Tianna Kedrosky volunteered to share their experiences as first-year students in the veterinary technology program. “A lot of people don’t realize how much work actually goes into being a veterinary technician,” said Griffin. “They normally just think, ‘oh, it’s just like being with cats and being with animals,’ but there’s a lot of work that goes into taking care of them and making sure that they’re safe and healthy.” “We’re focusing on small animals, so cats and dogs and how to keep them healthy for everyone, how to get vaccinations, how to give fluids, how to make sure everything is right, and how to assist our doctors,” said Tianna Kedrosky, a first-year student in the veterinary technology program. For full-time staff at the open house, there’s a hope that the college continues to invest in the programs that are still on offer. “I’d like to see more money, I’d like to see the program grow, I’d like to see more training aids, and more equipment,” said Robinson, of the aircraft maintenance program.
