After announcing a postponement of decisions to cut programs in the wake of funding announcements for Ontario universities, Algonquin College students say the board is now moving forward with decisions to cut 30 programs as quietly as possible.

On January 22, students and staff at the university received a memo from Julie Beauchamp, senior vice president for academic affairs. The memo states that a recommendation to suspend 30 programs starting in fall 2026 will be proposed at the board’s Feb. 23 meeting.

“These recommendations reflect several factors, including changing learner demands, changes in federal policy and state funding, and our focus on programs that support strong career pathways,” Beauchamp said.

On February 12, the Ontario government announced $6.4 billion in additional funding for universities and the lifting of the tuition freeze. Following the announcement, Algonquin College announced it was delaying decisions to cut programs.

Avery Clark, a horticulture student at Algonquin College, told CityNews, “The word on campus was that it was going to be delayed by several months.” Instead, she said a decision will be made on Monday.

She said her colleagues heard the news from one of their instructors on Thursday, but had not received any official communication from the school.

The meeting will be held online.

Monday is also the start of the mid-term holiday week, so no classes will be held. Clark said he felt the decision to put Monday’s decision on hold so quickly was to avoid a backlash. She is asking students, alumni, staff and the community to make as much noise as possible.

Algonquin College’s horticulture program is the only program in eastern Ontario and one of approximately 20 programs offered nationwide.

“Our program is obviously very important for the environment and climate change,” Clark said. “And there’s nothing like it anywhere. If it goes out, we’re screwed.”

“If the program is discontinued, there is no room for mistakes. If the program is discontinued, you can’t retake courses, so you can’t fail. If something goes wrong, personally or academically, and you can’t keep up, we don’t graduate.”

Clark and other students in the horticulture program had started a campaign when they first learned their program was on the list of programs at risk of cuts.

Posters are posted on campus and in the community, and students are getting information through word of mouth.

Created by Clark himself investigation Staff, alumni, and faculty are available to talk about their experiences with the program.

“We are not statistics or numbers on a spreadsheet. These are our lives that they are playing with,” Clark said. “At this point, it’s not about waiting to see if shows are going to be cut, it’s about which shows are going to be cut. It feels like Russian roulette and everyone is praying for availability.”

City News has reached out to Algonquin College to confirm the date of the meeting and whether formal communication has been made to students.

Programs at risk of termination

The following programs are at risk of being suspended by Algonquin College.

pembroke campus

• Business (program continues to be offered on the Ottawa campus and AC Online)
• Business Fundamentals (program continues to be offered on the Ottawa campus and AC Online)
• Computer Programming (program continues to be offered at the Ottawa campus and AC Online)
• Environmental Management and Assessment (program still offered at the Ottawa campus)

Faculty of Advanced Technology

• manufacturing engineer

Faculty of Art and Media Design

• The path to indigenous empowerment
• applied museum research
• basics of design
• General arts and sciences
• journalism
• Music, Media and Film Foundation
• General Arts and Sciences (excluding English for Academic Purposes)
• music industry art
• illustrations and concept art

Faculty of Business & Hospitality

• Bachelor of Culinary Arts and Food Science (Hons)
• bartender
• Business development/sales
• Hospitality – Hotel and restaurant operations management
• Tourism – Travel
• legal clerk
• event management
• financial services
• paralegal

Faculty of Health Sciences

• Pre-health pathway to certificates and diplomas
• Pre-Health Pass to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees (program continues to be offered at Pembroke Campus)

School of Wellness, Public Safety, and Community Studies

• Recreation and leisure services
• Fitness and Health Improvement (programs still available on AC Online)