5 programs at Algoma University no longer taking in new students for 1 year
The Sault Ste. Marie school says those programs had low enrolment numbers
Algoma University is not taking in new students into five academic programs that have low enrolment numbers.
The university said in an internal memo that it shared with CBC News that it is pausing new intake to its geography, history, music, sociology and visual arts programs for one year.
"I want to assure everyone that students currently enrolled in these programs will not be affected," said the memo, written by Donna Rogers, Algoma's interim president and vice-chancellor.
"All second-, third-, and fourth-year students will continue their studies uninterrupted, with full access to the courses and academic support they require."
In the memo, Rogers said the program suspensions were spurred by a 2022 report from Ontario's auditor general that recommended universities look at the financial contribution of all of their academic programs, and restructure where needed.
A 2024 follow-up found that Algoma had made "little to no progress" on auditing its programs to determine which ones weren't financially viable.
"In alignment with this recommendation and our commitment to sustainable academic programming, the board of governors has approved a time-limited, one-year pause on first-year admission intake into five low-enrolment programs," Rogers said.