By Temitope Alade
York University has announced that it is suspending new admissions for 18 undergraduate programs, which include Indigeneous studies, Gender and Women’s studies, Jewish studies and several language programs.
The University says the main reason is financial pressure and lack of enrollment in the programs. Another contributing factor includes the significant reduction of international admissions due to federal policy changes.
York University is the latest post-secondary institution to report financial challenges in the wake of the federal government recently cracking down on international student visas.
But it’s the first university in the country to announce significant program suspensions, said Alex Usher, president of Higher Education Strategy Associates, a consultant group that’s focused on post-secondary education.
York’s administration has emphasized that the suspension is temporary allowing time to redesign programs with low enrollment.
The temporary suspension has however drawn different opinions. Emmanuel, a Biomedical Science major at the University says that for the program Biomedical Physics that is also being suspended, he expected it, because he heard there’s only two people in the program.
“I think it’s unfortunate, but keeping the program open when there’s like two students or slightly more in it, isn’t the the best idea financially speaking.” He added.
Another student added the University didn’t let them know through their schools newsletter and that they found out through the news.
“Even my professors didn’t get notified in advance and had to find out like everyone else which made them pretty upset.” She added, “The University didn’t even give them the opportunity to voice their opinions.”
Also last month Centennial College and Sheridan College announced that they were putting 40 plus programs on hold as they deal with the fallout from the federal cap on international study permits.
Usher says he expects more than 1,000 college programs to shutter in Ontario as a result of federal and provincial policies.
Current students enrolled in the suspended progams will not be affected and can continue their studies as planned and will be supported to meet graduation requirements.
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