Fanshawe College has announced the suspension of 40 programs starting in fall 2025, following a federal government decision to reduce the intake of international students.
In a statement released to all Fanshawe students on Wednesday morning, Susan Cluett, Senior Vice-President announced “Following a comprehensive review of enrolment trends, post-graduate work permit eligibility, labour market demand and financial viability, Fanshawe has announced that future intakes of some of our programs will be suspended. That means no new students will be enrolled in these programs as of fall 2025.”
The program cuts not only affect students but staff face the risk of job loss. “We are extremely disappointed that Fanshawe has deemed it necessary to cut these programs. That said, the Union is committed to working with the employer to try to avoid job losses. Our collective agreement has very specific processes for dealing with such situations, and we will be following these processes to the letter” said Mark Feltham, President of OPSEU/SEFPO.
Students who are currently enrolled will have the opportunity to finish their programs but students who have been accepted into the 2025 fall intake list of cut programs will have to seek alternate options.
Fanshawe President Peter Devlin @PresFanshaweC/Twitter
When asked how Fanshawe intends on supporting students affected by the cuts, Peter Devlin Fanshawe President had this to say “All the students that are currently enrolled in those programs will continue to be supported from an academic and student support point of view until they graduate, just just like they’ve been supported throughout their student journey thus far”.
Benjamin Crossett, a current journalism student who was accepted into the Public Relations – Corporate Communications program for September 2025, expressed concern over the program’s suspension.
Benjamin Crossett
“I now have to look for programs that were similar to the original program I had signed up for. This could potentially impact my future career and hinder my job search in future years”
Despite the 40 programs being cut, Fanshawe will offer new programs such as the veterinary assistant and veterinary technician programs starting next fall.
Devlin adds “At times like today, we make difficult decisions. But at the same time, we bring new programs to life.”
The list of suspended and cut programs is available on the college’s website, with no additional cuts planned at this time. However, the college noted it will continue to monitor enrolment trends, labor market demand, and provincial funding in the coming years.
“Honestly, it’s a setback for not just me, but many other Fanshawe students,” Crossett said. “Personally, I believe there were better ways that Fanshawe could have handled this situation.”
