Photo by Penny Cadue/Kingstonist.
Citing “government policy decisions negatively impacting enrolment,” St. Lawrence College (SLC) has “eliminated” more than 30 positions, according to college officials.
On Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, Kingstonist learned that at least 25 positions were being cut from the college’s staff, and that changes were coming to SLC’s Employment Services offices and Global Learning Centre. In response to Kingstonist inquiries, the college confirmed that more than 30 jobs had been cut, and clarified some of the changes SLC is currently undergoing.
Asked how many and what types of jobs are being cut right now, SLC President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Glenn Vollebregt said, “Our employees have options available to them that are dependent on each person’s individual situation.”
“Until the process unfolds, we can’t confirm the exact numbers of people displaced,” Vollebregt continued.
“That being said, we can confirm that just over 30 roles were eliminated, and they were a mix of administrative (managerial) and support staff positions.”
Vollebregt would not comment on how many managerial and/or associate dean positions have been cut, nor which departments the cuts affect.
“Out of respect to our employees, SLC will not confirm specifics that could identify individuals impacted by organizational changes,” he said.
According to the president and CEO, SLC has been “using our integrated planning process focused on our SLC strategy and operations to realign” since January of this year, “as a response to government policy decisions negatively impacting enrolment.”
“As a result of planned changes to our organizational structure and processes, the ongoing nature of some people’s employment changed,” Vollebregt said.
With regard to the Global Learning Centre, SLC said that the incorrect belief the centre would close is down to an internal error.
“A note to the SLC community said the Centre would be closed, however a correction was issued internally to managers and SLC remains committed to international education and global opportunities for our students,” Vollebregt clarified.
However, the Global Learning Centre itself is changing. The services of the centre, “most programming,” and the “global opportunities for our students will continue to be supported as part of our Student Success Division,” and “the physical space where the team is located will become a home base to include other college services also focused on our students.”
Beyond that, the college’s external Employment Services offices in Ottawa, Sharbot Lake, and Kingston’s west end will be closed. The Employment Services offices are Employment Ontario outlets operated by SLC to offer employment services to members of the community
“While we are very proud of our SLC employees who provided these services to the community, SLC is not renewing the contracts to provide employment services and thus is closing its external Employment Services offices,” Vollebregt said.
“In doing so, we focus on our core business of academic programming. Our landlords for the various locations have been informed, and we are grateful for the long-term, positive relationship we had with them. Note that services will wind down between now and the end of the calendar year, ending on December 20, 2024.”
Vollebregt specified that the college’s Employment Services and Career Services are entirely separate things – SLC’s Career Services offers internal career support to current students, and those services are continuing without interruption.
Again citing employee privacy, SLC would not say how many of the eliminated jobs are in Kingston. Vollebregt did, however, expand on the current situation the college is facing.
“SLC is working to respond to changes in the post-secondary system that have impacted the number of students we can welcome to study with us in Eastern Ontario. At the same time, we are working as a college sector to educate the federal government on the incredible value college students and programs bring to regional employers and the provincial workforce,” he said.
“From Early Childhood Educators to graduates in hospitality, tourism, and technician programs like civil engineering, energy systems, electrical, mechanical, and instrumentation programs – our graduates keep Ontario working. We are doing what is needed for us to continue helping meet the needs of our communities, when it comes to training talented, skilled contributors to the local economy and industry.”
Asked specifically how the ongoing cuts will impact students at SLC’s campuses here in Kingston and also in Brockville, the college president asserted that SLC students continue to be the priority.
“SLC students will always remain our focus and will continue to be supported proactively and professionally in their programs and studies,” Vollebregt stated.
