Belleville, Ontario, December 13, 2017 – Loyalist College has announced today that tuition rebates have been provided to 316 students who have withdrawn from their programs as a result of the province-wide faculty strike.
“Colleges have always been committed to supporting students who didn’t feel they could complete their studies at this time because of the strike,” said Loyalist College President Ann Marie Vaughan. “Many students are looking to return later and we’ll work with them to help them complete their College education.”
The final numbers for student withdrawals were officially released on December 12. Across the province, about 90 percent of full-time college students have chosen to continue in their programs.
“The majority of our students are continuing with their studies,” President Vaughan said. “We will ensure they get a complete education that provides them with the professional and technical expertise to pursue some of today’s most rewarding careers.”
OPSEU announced on Oct. 16 that it was taking its full-time faculty members on strike. The strike ended the week of Nov. 20 after the provincial legislature passed back-to-work legislation.
During the strike, colleges began preparing to assist students who might wish to withdraw from their programs because of the strike.
Colleges also began working on relief funding for eligible students who were affected by the strike. The criteria for applying for the Student Strike Relief Fund have been publicized and colleges will ensure that all eligible applications are honoured.
“As new innovations and technology transform our economy, it is more important than ever that students get the professional qualifications that come with a college education,” President Vaughan said.
“Throughout this difficult time, our priority is ensuring that students are equipped with the expertise and advanced skills that open the door to many of today’s most in-demand careers.”
About Loyalist
Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, Loyalist College is a close-knit community where students and their success come first. Loyalist provides personalized attention in small classes, rewarding field placements and superior student services. To prepare students for in-demand careers, Loyalist offers more than 65 full-time programs; apprenticeships; and hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses, as well as opportunities for continuing education through more than 70 university transfer agreements. The College’s wide selection of advanced diplomas, diplomas and certificates aligns with market-driven disciplines including applied sciences, biosciences, building sciences, business and management studies, health sciences, human studies, justice studies, media, arts and design, and skills and technology. In Ontario, the College’s new Digital Media Centre and The Bay of Quinte Skills Centre, which is LEED® Silver certified, are training centres of choice for students, as well as College business and industry partners. The College is a key driver of the social and economic health and prosperity of the area and contributes 5.4 percent to the Gross Regional Product. This represents an overall effect on the regional economy of $530 million annually – based on a 2014 Report by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI). For more information on the College’s Belleville and Bancroft campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit loyalistcollege.com.
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Contact: Dianne Spencer, Executive Director, College Advancement & External Relations
Loyalist College, dspencer@loyalistc.on.ca, 613-969-1913, ext. 2235