| Procedure Number: ACAD 101 | Procedure Title: Program Suspension or Cancellation |
| Supersedes Existing Procedure? N | Policy Sponsor: Senior Vice-President Academic |
| Associated Policy: N | Policy Owner: Dean, Leadership, Learning, and Academic Excellence |
| Next Review Date: April 2028 | Date Last Approved by the CET: April 9, 2025 |
| Related Documents and Links |
1. Introduction and Purpose
The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that decisions regarding the suspension or cancellation of academic programs at Loyalist College follow a structured, transparent, and consistent process. These decisions are guided by careful evaluation of program performance, alignment with institutional goals, and evolving industry, and community needs.
2. Application
This procedure applies to all approved programs of instruction at Loyalist College, including certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, graduate certificates, apprenticeships, and degrees.
3. Intake Suspension
3.1 A Dean or the Senior Vice-President, Academic (SVPA) may recommend a temporary or indefinite suspension of admitting new students to a program based on short-term or emerging factors such as low enrolment, changes in industry demand, misalignment with college goals, or financial considerations.
3.2 The Dean consults with the SVPA to review the reasons for the proposed intake suspension and conducts an assessment that includes recent enrolment trends, market demand, financial considerations, and alignment with the College’s strategic priorities.
3.3 If the program is recommended for an intake suspension, the SVPA submits a recommendation to the College Executive Team (CET). The recommendation includes the rationale for the intake suspension and the assessment.
If approved, the Recruitment Office pauses the intake of new students and the Registrar’s Office maintains any program-related documentation, including student records, program curriculum, and historical data.
3.4 The need for an intake suspension is reevaluated at least once every year to determine ongoing need or if the program should be redesigned or suspended.
4. Program Suspension
4.1 A Dean or the SVPA may recommend suspension of a program based on factors such as declining enrolment, misalignment with college strategic goals, shifting industry or community need, or financial viability.
4.2 The Dean consults with the SVPA to review the reasons for the proposed suspension and makes a formal assessment that includes analysis of program performance, market demand, financial sustainability, and alignment with the college’s strategic goals.
4.3 If the program is recommended for suspension, the SVPA submits a formal recommendation to the CET and Board of Governors for approval. The recommendation includes the rationale for suspension, the formal assessment, projected timeline, and transition and teach-out plans for current students and employees.
If approved, the program suspension is communicated to all affected college divisions and employees and the transition and teach-out plans are carried out, ensuring that any enrolled students can complete their program.
4.4 Programs under suspension are reevaluated at least once every three years to determine whether they should be reinstated, redesigned, or permanently cancelled. CLLAE will notify the MCU of any program that is reactivated.
4.5 After the program is officially suspended, the Registrar’s Office is responsible for archiving all program-related documentation, including student records, program curriculum, and historical data. CLLAE will notify the MCU of the program suspension.
5. Program Cancellation
5.1 A Dean or the SVPA may recommend cancellation of a program when it becomes evident that the program is no longer viable due to ongoing low enrolment, misalignment with the college strategic direction, financial viability, regulatory changes, or shifting industry or community need.
5.2 The Dean consults with the SVPA to review the reasons for the proposed cancellation and makes a formal assessment that includes analysis of the program, market demand, financial sustainability, and alignment with the College’s strategic goals.
5.3 If the program is recommended for cancellation, the SVPA submits a formal recommendation to CET and the Board of Governors for approval. The recommendation includes the rationale for cancellation, the formal assessment, projected timeline, and transition plans and teach out plans for current students and employees.
If approved, the program cancellation is communicated to all affected college divisions and employees and the transition and teach out plans are carried out, ensuring that any enrolled students can complete their program. The MCU is notified of the program cancellation by CLLAE.
5.4 After the program is officially cancelled, the Registrar’s Office is responsible for archiving all program-related documentation, including student records, program curriculum, and historical data.
5.5 Cancelled programs cannot be reinstated and need to obtain new program approval to be offered again.