RED DEER COLLEGE
College suspends applications for five programs

As the College plans for the upcoming academic year, it has made the difficult decision to suspend applications for five programs. The reasons for the suspensions vary slightly, but these are due to regular academic planning that RDC conducts each year to ensure academic operations are sustainable. A key factor in such decisions is low enrolment. The programs are:

• Instrumentation Engineering Technology Diploma
• Acting and Live Entertainment majors within the Bachelor of Applied Arts in Film, Theatre and Live Entertainment (note: students in the Film Production major are not impacted by this decision)
• Media Studies and Professional Communication Diploma
• Adult and Higher Education Instructor Post-Diploma Certificate
• eLearning Instructor Post-Diploma Certificate

"These decisions were not made lightly, as we've looked at a wide variety of options and scenarios for these programs," says Dr. Peter Nunoda, President. "Any time that a program is cut, it has an impact on people, whether students, faculty or staff, and that's something we take very seriously. For these programs, all faculty and staff who are impacted have been informed, as have current students, who we will be working with to support in their educational pathways."

For students currently registered in the programs, these pathways will differ, depending on the program and their future goals. Students in the first year of the two diploma programs and those in the eLearning Instructor Post-Diploma Certificate, for example, will have the opportunity to complete their programs and graduate in June 2021. Students in the degree programs may elect to switch majors or transfer to another program, as best fits their situation. RDC's leaders and staff will continue to support them with these processes.

No new students will be accepted to the programs for September 2020, and those who have applied are being contacted by the Office of the Registrar.

When it comes to the reasons for the program suspensions, Nunoda identifies that all of the programs except Instrumentation Engineering Technology are being suspended due to low or declining enrolment. "These programs are not being suspended due to COVID-19 or budget implications, which may have been the expected reasoning," he says. "RDC regularly reviews all of our program offerings to ensure that resources are being used wisely to meet student and employer needs. When enrolments are low or declining, it is always our responsibility to make decisions that will support RDC's long-term sustainability."

The Instrumentation Engineering Technology Diploma is being suspended due to short-term budget shortfalls and challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as international students are anticipated to be important to the total student enrolment for this program in the future. The suspension of this program is expected to be short-term, and those interested in applying are encouraged to visit RDC's website for details.

"No matter what the reason, we recognize that program suspensions are personal and emotional for people, because it has an effect on their lives," Nunoda says. "Our decisions to suspend these programs were not based on any value judgement for the programs or their benefit to students or our community. We've chosen to take this difficult path now because it helps us to be good stewards for the sustainable operations of the College, allowing us to support the future success of our students."