Fanshawe College cuts 40 administrative positions as staff reductions continue

As Fanshawe works toward reducing its staff by more than a third, the college announced Thursday that 40 jobs have been eliminated through downsizing, early retirements and unfilled vacant positions.

"This week, we have taken the next step in this difficult process, and we are saddened to share that a number of our administrative colleagues have exited the organization," president Peter Devlin wrote in an email to staff on Thursday.

"These are not just positions; they are valued members of our community, and their departure is deeply felt across the college."

The news follows a May 8 town hall meeting in which Devlin informed staff of the college's need to cut its workforce by about 35 per cent — about 400 positions in total — with the college facing a $72-million deficit in the coming two years.

The reductions, Devlin said, are necessary as the college struggles through what he called under-funding by the province and a federal cap on entry visa for international students, who pay higher tuition than domestic students.

Devlin expressed gratitude Thursday to all the employees who were leaving.

"Each individual was met with personally and provided resources to assist them through this transition," he said.

Devlin said the next phase of staff downsizing will focus on working with the union to offer voluntary exit packages.

"Our intention with this approach is to provide individuals whose roles may be affected by a layoff with the opportunity to make a personal choice, one that would provide them with a financial incentive and could potentially preserve a job for a colleague," he said.

He said all employees will be offered career transition support.

"We recognize how deeply upsetting and frustrating this is to be losing colleagues, teammates and friends who have shaped Fanshawe in meaningful ways," he said.

In April, Fanshawe College said it would be ending 40 programs effective in the fall of 2025, including advanced police studies, applied aerospace manufacturing, construction project management, fine art and retirement residence management.