Carleton University’s Senate voted to cut seven undergraduate Canadian studies programs on Feb 28.
Impacted programs include the bachelor of arts in Canadian studies as well as its French counterpart, titled “Mention Français.” Honours and combined honours extensions to the programs will all be slashed.
The Canadian studies minor has also been suspended and will not be offered for the next two calendar years, according to David Hornsby, vice-provost and associate vice-president (academic).
Hornsby proposed the motion to cut the undergraduate programs because of a “deep decline” in enrolment and a shortage of faculty available to teach the required courses.
According to a document provided to senators, there were “virtually no new majors over the past three years” in the Canadian studies undergraduate program. No students chose the major this year and only two selected it in 2023-2024.
The document also states the closure will have no impact on other programs. The master’s program will remain available and any students impacted will be accommodated through equivalent courses offered in the heritage and conservation minor and other similar courses.
Many senators expressed concerns about this decision and its financial and social impacts.
“My concern is, are higher education institutions becoming businesses as opposed to an education institution?” senator Mustafa Bahran said.
The university is projecting a $38-million deficit this year if it does not address financial challenges, according to presentation materials shared at a Dec. 4, 2024 Board of Governors meeting.
In those documents, program closure and enrolment suspension are listed as in-progress projects for which the university should implement regular progress reports in order to break the “academic cost/quality tradeoff.”
University media relations officer Steven Reid did not respond to questions inquiring whether the Canadian studies program cuts were related to the university’s financial deficit.
Anne Bowker, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, said it’s “always sad to see a program close.”
“We’re not cheering,” she said.
Senators also questioned the rationale for closing the program, and why information regarding enrolment numbers beyond the last two years was not provided.
“I’m not trying to hide, but I don’t have the numbers off the top of my head,” Bowker said. “I make a promise that we will include that information in whatever packages we put together … going forward.”
In an email statement to the Charlatan, Reid said the decision to make a “major curriculum modification” was made through “democratic votes.”
The decision started within the School of Canadian Studies, then moved to the faculty board and two senate committees before moving to senate for final approval, the statement said. Senators are given the same information as other senate committees.
“As noted at Senate, trust forms an important component of academic governance and senators are welcome to question any motion or seek clarification if needed,” the statement reads.
L. Pauline Rankin, the university provost and a professor in Canadian studies, said the Canadian studies department voted on the decision at the end of last term.
“As a group, we voted on this … It was difficult for us to make that choice,” Rankin said. “It was a decision we made as a group, particularly because we couldn’t find anyone who would lead the department.”
Student senator Peter Kouzovnikov questioned what this could mean in the current political climate, referencing U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly suggesting that Canada should become an American 51st state.
“We’re going to lose our program dedicated to studying Canada at a time when our ally is talking about forcing us to become American and erasing us from the map,” Kouzovnikov said.
While the undergraduate programs will close, Hornsby said there will still be Canadian studies classes available at Carleton.
Featured image by Douaa Qadadia
