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CBC
a day ago
- Business
- CBC
Sault College president says its getting harder to maintain 'core programs' with financial pressures
Social Sharing Another post-secondary institution in northeastern Ontario is struggling to operate as it is squeezed by dropping international enrolment and a longstanding tuition freeze. The board of governors for Sault College has approved a budget with a $ 5.6 million deficit for the 2025-26 academic year. It's the second year in a row the college has run a deficit. President David Orazietti said that about 20 programs have been discontinued or suspended in the past year-and-a-half. Among them, he said, are programs tailored to international students who pay much higher tuition, such as supply chain management and project management. But after a decision by the federal government in 2024 to limit international student permits, those programs are being phased out. A handful of other Sault College programs such as a certificate in climate change mitigation and an advanced diploma for a child and youth worker are being suspended, but may be brought back if interest warrants. Steep drops in enrolment are part of the rationale for the program cuts. Sault College is expecting an almost 40 per cent decrease in enrolment for the coming academic year. The number of students is expected to drop from 11,215 to 6,830, in large part due to the closure of two campuses the college operated with a private partner in southern Ontario that catered to international students. The college plans to focus on high-demand programs such as health, skilled trades, aviation and community studies Orazietti said the challenge over the coming months is to bring down the deficit and balance the budget in future years. He said the financial pressures are focusing efforts on how to keep mainstay programs going, which is getting harder. "You know the concern more broadly is that longer term programs that have been staples at the college, that have declining domestic enrolment and may have had some international enrolment to help buoy the program, are no longer available," he said. He said the college is grappling with how to meet its mandate to produce skilled trades and health workers, but refuses to speculate about their future. Orazietti said the college is looking at deferring maintenance and infrastructure projects and that lay-offs of faculty and staff are a last resort. Neal Moss, the president of OPSEU local 613 representing full-time faculty at Sault College, said about a dozen teachers have retired in the past year but none have been terminated. However, he said part-time and sessional instructors have lost work because of the phasing out of programs. Orazietti said it's a sensitive issue and the college won't make any rash decisions. "We're taking our time to do this thoughtfully, and to ensure that we protect as many jobs as possible in the organization and have as minimal impact to our programs that the community relies on," he said.
CBC
14-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
MUN student representatives call for tuition freeze and 'a break'
Memorial University student representatives are once again calling on the board of regents to pause tuition increases, as the provincial government hits pause on its reduction of the tuition offset grant. A handful of university students, and staff from the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS), showed up at MUN's Signal Hill campus on Wednesday to have their message heard. Longtime student activist and current chairperson for CFS Newfoundland and Labrador, Nicolas Keough, wants the board to include a tuition freeze in its 2025-26 university budget. MUN has been implementing a four per cent increase to tuition rates every year since 2022, which ended a previous 22-year freeze. "We need to see it this week, and we need to see some relief to students who are really struggling under the current cost of living and housing crisis," Keough told reporters. WATCH | Students say high cost of living is behind drop in enrollment at Memorial University: A funding cut to Memorial University is on hold. Students say a tuition hike should be too 24 minutes ago Duration 1:40 A student protest greeted Memorial University's board of regents on Wednesday morning. The students want a planned tuition increase cancelled, in response to the provincial government pausing a funding cut to the university. But the CBC's Mark Quinn says Memorial is holding firm. This year's provincial budget included $312 million for the university's core operating grant and $7.8 million for the campus renewal fee, which will save full-time students $500 a year. Further, $13.7 million is tabled to support the university's budget, $4.7 million for the Faculty of Nursing's satellite sites and $2 million for the Doctor of Psychology program. The demand comes just months before Janet Morrison is scheduled to begin her new role as the university's new president. Morrison cut dozens of programs in her previous post as the president of Sheridan College in Ontario. Despite that, Keough is optimistic. "I think the president has made it clear that she wants to meet with the students, that she wants to have a good relationship with the students," he said. Outgoing president Jennifer Lokash posted a budget update to the MUN Gazette on April 23, which says the university anticipates the reductions to continue for the next two fiscal years. "Given this is a one-year pause, rather than a forgiveness, care must be taken to invest the money in pressing priorities that will help Memorial become more sustainable," Lokash wrote. CFS staffer Ashlinn Pennell said MUN needs to "make the right decision" in light of the relief. She said the cost of tuition is detrimental to both domestic and international students. "We need to be giving young people here opportunities, and that starts with giving them a break," said Pennell. A written statement sent to CBC News by Memorial University said the institution isn't required to use the money any certain way. "The provincial government provided direct investment to address student affordability through the funding of the Campus Renewal Fee," wrote spokesperson Chad Pelley. "The pause in the reduction of the tuition offset grant did not include directives on how the money should be spent." In a later statement, Pelley wrote that MUN is facing the same budget problems as other universities across the country. That's coupled with lower enrolment and increased inflationary pressure, Pelley continued. "University leaders, including the board of regents, must determine the best path forward to ensure financial sustainability and protection of the university mission, including priority on the student experience and academic quality. The board is considering the request from students within the context of the overall university budget," the statement reads. "The tuition offset grant from government has been, and continues to be, an investment that funds the university's core operations, including teaching and learning, student services and the overall supports required to ensure the academic mission of the university is maintained."
