Sheridan College is informing staff and students that 40 programs across the school's three GTA campuses, including Oakville's Trafalgar Campus, will be suspended next year and laying off staff, citing a significant drop in enrolment.
At least five of the suspended programs include those at the Oakville campus, including the Journalism, Game Design, Photography, Performing Arts certificate and Visual Arts advanced diploma programs.
Sheridan president Janet Morrison also says that in addition to the 40 programs being suspended, another 27 programs will undergo an "efficiency review."
The college says the school is expecting a 30 per cent drop in enrolment in 2025, with an anticipated $112-million drop in revenue, according to a statement from Morrison.
Sheridan has said, however, that students currently enrolled in the affected programs will still be able to graduate and finish their courses.
The decision was first made in a public statement earlier this week by the College.
"These changes are required for Sheridan to remain a financially sustainable and vibrant community in response to chronic underfunding, changing government policies, and social, technological, and economic disruption," says Morrison.
Among the programs on hold are:
- 13 in the faculty of applied science and technology
- 13 business programs (all with the Pilon School of Business)
- 6 in the faculty of animation, arts and design,
- 5 in the faculty of applied health and community studies
- 3 in humanities and social sciences
Part of the suspensions are believed to be the announced 35 per cent cuts to international student permits in Canada this year compared to 2023.
Morrison doesn't directly blame the international student cap, but a statement the college's website does reference "shrinking domestic enrolment" and "dramatic shifts in government policy" as factors in the program suspensions.
Representatives for Sheridan College declined to answer questions about how long the suspensions may last or how many staff positions will be affected by this announcement.