by Lexey Burns, Editor-in-Chief
Laurentian University has announced they are terminating its relationship with the federated universities, Huntington, Thorneloe, and the University of Sudbury.
The termination will be effective starting May 1st, 2021.
The announcement emailed to students Thursday night says that “Termination of the federation agreements was necessary in order to ensure that millions of dollars paid by Laurentian to the federated universities each year relating to the delivery of programs and courses will remain within Laurentian.”
“Laurentian has the capacity and the faculty required to teach all students in a more efficient delivery model,” the announcement read. “These steps allow Laurentian to focus its resources on programs and courses that students have demonstrated they are interested in taking.”
Each federated university will be able to continue to own and run its buildings and facilities. This includes their respective student residence buildings.
Prior to this announcement, students could enroll in programs offered by a federation, but the degree would be issued by Laurentian.
Laurentian will not continue to run the programs offered by the federated universities but says it is offering all students associated with the federations a place at Laurentian “in a similar or alternative program.”
The announcement says that Laurentian University has kept students as their “foremost priority” throughout the CCAA proceedings, and despite the new difficulties for students in programs offered by the federations, they remain “committed to ensuring all students’ path to a quality education.”
Dr. Aven McMaster, a Thorneloe professor, said in a tweet, “My understanding is that Thorneloe is not accepting this termination, which means the two parties will go to court.”
“I don’t know what that means, in the end. But it’s a sad day for all of us, no matter what.”
Thalia Gillott, a second year Philosophy student said, “I was very saddened that they said this was within the best interest of the students. They [the federations] really offered courses that were more exploratory and expanded on knowledge. Laurentian doesn’t really expand on those arts focused courses.”
Gillott said that she found out through an Instagram post instead of directly from the university.
“I’m also mad that we found out this late,” Gillott mentioned that the announcement email did not come out until 10:01 pm.“It came out when most people should be sleeping. If I wasn’t up late working on an essay I wouldn’t have gotten this email until a holiday.”
“I don’t understand how we’re going to be fine… They claim they are doing this for the best interests of the students, but it really seems like they’re doing it for the best interests of the administration.”
“I thought they were saving announcements for after exams?” Gillott explained that she and other students do not need this excess stress during the final weeks of classes leading up to exams.
“I would just like to know when to expect to be hearing announcements so we don’t have something just dropped on us,” she said.
The announcement says that concerned students can reach out to the dean of their program, and students applying to the federated universities can reach Liaison services at info@laurentian.ca.