Algonquin College to vote Monday to cut 30 programs at Ottawa and Pembroke campuses

Algonquin College’s board of governors will vote on Monday whether to cut 30 more programs, including several business and hospitality courses, journalism, horticulture and paralegal.

The college’s board of governors was originally scheduled to vote on the recommendation to suspend 30 programs on Feb. 23, but the vote was delayed after the Ontario government announced $6.4 billion in additional funding for colleges and universities and lifted the tuition freeze.

Now, a virtual meeting will be held from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday to consider suspending the programs.

In a letter to Algonquin College employees on Thursday, President Claude Brulé said the college must proceed with “financial mitigation efforts” despite the new funding from the Ontario government.

“Algonquin College welcomes this investment, which provides needed stability and reinforces the essential role colleges play in powering Ontario’s workforce and economy,” Brulé said in the letter provided to CTV News Ottawa.

“The College has since received additional information from the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security and has begun incorporating it into its operational outlook. What remains clear is that financial mitigation efforts must continue to ensure the College’s long-term sustainability. This includes aligning programming with enrolment demand, labour market needs, Provincial priorities, and financial reality.”

Brulé added, while the decisions are difficult, “immediate steps are necessary to ensure stability for our learners, employees, and the college’s future.”

Algonquin College has previously said the recommendation to close the programs was 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.”

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.

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Here is the list of programs recommended for suspension at Algonquin College, pending approval by the board of governors:

Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence

• Sustainable Architectural Design
• Horticultural Industries
• Horticulture Techniques – Apprenticeship

Pembroke Campus

• Business (Program still offered at the Ottawa Campus and AC Online)
• Business Fundamentals (Program still offered at the Ottawa Campus and AC Online)
• Computer Programming (Program still offered at the Ottawa Campus and AC Online)
• Environmental Management and Assessment (Program still offered at the Ottawa Campus)

School of Advanced Technology

• Manufacturing Engineering Technician

Faculty of Arts and Media Design

• Pathways to Indigenous Empowerment (New Indigenous Studies programs offered)
• Applied Museum Studies
• Design Foundations
• General Arts and Science – Aboriginal (New Indigenous Studies programs offered)
• Journalism
• Music, Media and Film Foundations
• General Arts and Science (except English for Academic Purposes)
• Music Industry Arts
• Illustration and Concept Art

School of Business and Hospitality

• Bachelor of Culinary Arts & Food Science (Honours)
• Bartending
• Business Development and Sales
• Hospitality – Hotel and Restaurant Operations Management
• Tourism – Travel
• Law Clerk
• Event Management
• Financial Services
• Paralegal

School of Health Studies

• Pre-Health Pathway to Certificates and Diplomas
• Pre-Health Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees (Program still offered at Pembroke Campus)

School of Wellness, Public Safety & Community Studies

• Recreation and Leisure Services
• Fitness and Health Promotion (Program still offered through AC Online)