REGINA — More than 100 employees at Saskatchewan Polytechnic have been laid off since April, but students say they’ve had little information about the situation.
Changes to federal immigration policy have reduced the number of visas international students can obtain each year, contributing to the layoffs.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic is now facing a $15-million budget shortfall, which is affecting resources and programs, though students say they haven’t been informed.
“It’s a little concerning to me, the fact that I go to the school and with the lack of information or informity with the students [on this],” said first-year nursing student Nathan Lucero.
Speaking to his peers, Lucero said most students are unaware of the scope of the issue.
Dylan Tondevold, a student in the adult literacy program, said he had no idea until recently.
“It could be a concern that they’re not telling us exactly what’s going on, like programs being affected.”
Since starting in the fall, Tondevold said he hasn’t noticed any changes to resources.
Plumbing student Jordan Marcia said his trade remains in demand, but other students are anxious about program impacts and tuition costs.
“It’s kind of hard with the situation of international students and the visas right now for schools,” Lucero said, noting tuition may increase in the future.
Lucero hopes for more transparency from the institution.
“Institutions should start allowing more transparency for students to see what’s going on behind the scenes as it is our own education that’s at stake and it’s also our own income that we are putting into these programs.”
Saskatchewan Polytechnic has indicated that further difficult decisions will be made in the coming months.
Comments