Fanshawe College Committed to Downtown Presence Amid Expected Enrolment Drop

Fanshawe College's downtown campus will have fewer students due to an expected enrolment drop from 1,580 to 1,050. Despite this, the college remains committed to its downtown presence, with 14 of the 19 programs set to continue. Three programs have been permanently suspended, but students already enrolled will be able to complete them. A new music industry program will be introduced in September.

Fanshawe College's downtown campus is set to see a significant reduction in student numbers, with enrolment expected to drop from approximately 1,580 to 1,050 students [1]. Despite this expected decrease, the college has expressed its commitment to maintaining its presence in the core of London, Ontario.

The college's Faculty of Business and Hospitality, which oversees the downtown campus, is planning to continue 14 of the 19 programs offered there. However, three programs have been permanently suspended: food and beverage management, hotel and resort management, and tourism and hospitality management [1]. Students already enrolled in these programs will be able to complete their studies, and a new music industry program will be introduced in September.

The reduction in student numbers is partially due to regular fluctuations in enrolment, as well as the impact of program suspensions and fewer international admissions. Fanshawe College is currently facing financial challenges, including a $72-million deficit over the next two years, primarily due to the federal government's cap on international student permits and chronic underfunding from the province [1].

The college is in the process of cutting its workforce by about 35 per cent, or roughly 400 positions, to address the financial deficit. Peter Devlin, the president of Fanshawe College, has stated that the college will be transformed by the end of the layoff process, with a focus on delivering programs that meet labour market needs [1].

The impact of the reduced student numbers is not limited to the college. Local businesses, such as Omar El-Cheikh's dessert business next door to Fanshawe's downtown campus, expect to see a decrease in clientele, which could have a significant impact on their bottom line [1].

Despite the challenges, Fanshawe College remains committed to its downtown presence and is exploring opportunities to bring new programs that would benefit from being downtown into the core. The college's buildings at 130 and 137 Dundas St. are expected to continue housing student-run restaurants and cafes, which have become popular among local residents and workers.

References:
[1] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/fanshawe-college-committed-to-downtown-presence-despite-expected-enrolment-drop-1.7597647
[2] https://www.facebook.com/Canadorefaculty/posts/in-the-news-july-25-2025-fanshawe-college-moving-forward-with-layoffsby-staff-ct/1061979756089381/