$16-million deficit puts other programs on the chopping block as well
The Guelph Mercury is reporting that the University of Guelph’s women’s studies program and the organic agriculture major have been eliminated. The decision was made by the senate board of undergraduate studies two days ago.
The university is facing a $16-million deficit, which means eight programs with low enrolment won’t be offered next September.
The Mercury says the senate will decide the fate of the bachelor of science in technology degree program and a bachelor of applied computing degree program at the University of Guelph-Humber on April 7.
At the senate meeting, dean of arts Donald Bruce explained to the board the women’s studies program, created in 1979, is at an impasse and hasn’t had a curriculum revision since 1994.
“It has been stagnant since then,” said Bruce.
Serge Desmarais, the university’s vice-president academic, says senior administration provided guidelines for the college deans to find ways to cut their budgets. He says the university will probably have to continue to consider further courses and programs for elimination.