St. Lawrence College to suspend intakes to 40% of programs starting spring 2025
Those considering St. Lawrence College (SLC) for their post-secondary or continuing education, take note! The college announced today, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, that they are suspending intakes to some programs at all three campuses starting with the spring 2025 semester.
According to a release from the college, despite these changes, SLC remains committed to supporting students, employers, and the broader Eastern Ontario community with their training and workforce needs.
“Since January of last year, a series of federal government policy decisions have drastically affected our ability to grow and operate as usual. Many of the changes were short-sighted and did not consider what makes colleges, the regions that we serve, and our students unique,” said Glenn Vollebregt, SLC President and CEO.
“Colleges have navigated a long list of restrictions and cutbacks in the past 12 months, leading to us having to suspend programs. As a driver of workforce growth and a community leader, we are committed to maintaining a presence in the communities that we serve, and to helping our students and graduates succeed.”
In total, 55 program intakes will be suspended for “39 unique programs,” representing approximately 40 per cent of college programming. According to the release, 51 of the programs are post-secondary degree, diploma, or credential programs, and four are apprenticeships.
In response to a request for to speak with the appropriate person to address this matter, SLC instead provided responses to Kingstonist’s questions via email, with all responses attributed to President Vollebregt.
Q: How many students were already enrolled in the programs being suspended?
A: “SLC is working to help the 700 applicants who were intending to enroll in suspended programs, which were to begin in spring and fall 2025, to explore their options and continue their academic journey. Overall, enrolment at the college is down more than 40 per cent because of federal government policy changes. That translates into close to 5,000 fewer students coming to Eastern Ontario to live, participate, and work during and after their studies.”
Q: What is the makeup of the SLC campuses impacted by these changes?
A: “The announced suspensions impact each of the SLC campuses, which are located in Kingston, Brockville, and Cornwall. The breakdown of intakes and unique programs is as follows:
- Kingston – 31 program intakes suspended
- Brockville – 13 program intakes suspended
- Cornwall – 11 program intakes suspended”
Q: Are jobs with SLC affected by these suspensions and, if so, how and how many?
A: “The first thing we are doing in these challenging times is focusing on our students. We are ensuring our current students enrolled in programs that are being suspended know that their studies can continue as planned – nothing will change. For people who were interested in, or who had applied to programs that are being suspended, we are helping them evaluate their options so their academic journey can continue. As next steps, we will look at what this means for our college and community and any decisions we make will be guided by ensuring our strategic plan, operational needs, and financial realities are aligned. We do want to confirm that current programs being suspended for future intakes will continue, and some have 18 to 24 months or more of programming to offer, to ensure our students can complete their studies.”
Q: Do these program suspensions affect the completion of programs for students already studying at SLC?
A: “All students currently enrolled in a program that is being suspended will be able to complete their studies and graduate.”
Q: Does SLC plan to reinstate any of the suspended programs and, if so, when?
A: “We are suspending the intakes listed but not cancelling the programs permanently. We can confirm that for the foreseeable future, they will not be offered. As always, SLC will continue responding to local labour market needs by working to develop and deliver new programming that helps connect students with rewarding careers.”
SLC provided the following list of suspensions.
Program Suspension List:
NOTE: Students currently enrolled in a program that is being suspended are not impacted and can continue their studies as originally planned.
Bachelor of Business Administration, Kingston
Business, Brockville Cornwall
Business – Accounting Cornwall, Kingston
Business – Human Resources, Kingston
Business – Marketing, Kingston
Business Administration, Cornwall
Business Administration – Accounting, Cornwall, Kingston
Business Administration – Human Resources, Kingston
Business Administration – Marketing, Kingston
Business Fundamentals, Brockville, Cornwall
Business Analytics, Kingston
Child and Youth Care, Kingston
Culinary Management, Kingston
Culinary Skills, Kingston
Energy Systems Engineering Technology, Kingston
General Arts and Science – One Year, Brockville, Cornwall, Kingston
General Arts and Science Diploma, Brockville, Cornwall, Kingston
Hairstyling, Brockville
Health Information Management, Kingston
Hospitality, Kingston
Instrumentation and Control Engineering Technology, Kingston
International Business Management, Kingston
Law Clerk, Kingston
Media Arts Fundamentals, Brockville, Kingston
Mental Wellness and Addictions Worker, Brockville, Kingston
Music and Digital Media, Kingston
Music Theatre – Performance, Brockville
Music Theatre – Performance (Queen’s) Brockville
Office Administration – General, Brockville, Kingston
Office Administration – Health Services, Brockville, Kingston
Office Administration – Legal, Kingston
Police Foundations, Brockville, Online
Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Certificates and Diplomas, Cornwall, Kingston
Project Management, Cornwall, Kingston
Tourism, Kingston
Visual and Creative Arts – Fine Arts, Brockville
Apprenticeship Programs
General Machinist, Kingston
Cook, Kingston
Automotive Service, Cornwall
Brick & Stone Mason, Kingston
The college said more details and an FAQ are available on its website.
“Programs that are projected to have drastically reduced enrolment, do not directly map to labour market needs, and that are not financially viable are being suspended,” Vollebregt told Kingstonist of why the programs will cease enrolment as of the spring of 2025.
“Colleges have been underfunded for over a decade, and Ontario colleges have the lowest tuition and funding support in Canada. Across the sector, colleges are reducing operations and program offerings to become more sustainable, yet post-secondary education is an incredibly valuable investment for any government, when you consider that highly trained and motivated graduates drive industry and help grow the economy. We remain hopeful the Ontario government will see colleges are willing partners in helping the province to grow and thrive.”
With files from Tori Stafford.