Centennial College merges campuses

by Abilasha Kamalanathan

Centennial College is merging campuses due to financial struggles caused by fewer international students and limited government funding. By summer 2026, all programs from the Story Arts Centre in East York will move to the Progress Campus in Scarborough. This change aims to keep the college financially stable and maintain a strong campus community.

 In  statement, Centennial College President Craig Stephenson “admitted the decision is emotional but necessary to secure the school’s future”. The Story Arts Centre, which serves the School of Communications, Media, Arts, and Design, has not been fully used. Only 40% of its classrooms and labs are active, and as 49 programs are being suspended, this number would drop even more. With a 43% drop in new international students, around 5,000 fewer this year, the college decided to bring programs together at the Progress Campus. Centennial promises to support students, faculty, and staff through this transition.

Centennial is not the only college making these changes. Last year, Seneca College closed its Markham Campus for financial reasons, moving students to other locations. Other schools, such as Sheridan and Algonquin, have also cut programs and jobs due to funding issues. Centennial’s program cuts for 2025-26 affect different fields, including 16 business programs, 14 media programs, and 7 engineering programs. Many Ontario

colleges are reducing programs to deal with financial challenges caused by federal limits on international study permits.

These restrictions hit Ontario hard, and colleges say the government’s financial help is not enough. Colleges Ontario, a group representing these schools, warns that many institutions could struggle.Ontario’s colleges face significant changes, with campuses merging and programs shutting down. Students and teachers must adjust to a shifting education system, and many programs remain uncertain. Ongoing discussions between the government and colleges will be crucial in ensuring a strong and fair education system in the future.