Conestoga College Restructures Leadership: Four Senior Executives Let Go Amid Challenging Times

Conestoga College has undergone significant restructuring, resulting in the dismissal of four senior-level executives and the restructuring of nine other executive positions. This move comes as the college faces unprecedented and challenging times, with a collective annual salary of $1.2 million affected by these changes.

Key Changes and Impacts

• Dismissed Positions: Both deans of the School of Interdisciplinary and the School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts, along with the senior vice president academic and students, and the senior vice president and secretary general to the board of governors, were let go.
• Restructuring: Nine other senior positions at the college have been restructured, with expanded job portfolios.

John Tibbits, Conestoga College president, expressed gratitude towards the dismissed administrators in a memo, stating, "We wish them the best in their future endeavours," and thanked all employees for their understanding during these times.

Broader Context

This restructuring is part of a larger trend affecting Ontario's public colleges, with approximately 10,000 faculty and staff laid off or projected to lose their jobs in the past year due to funding issues. A significant factor is the 48% decrease in first-semester enrolment of international students last year, attributed to the federally implemented international study permit cap.

Employee Morale

Vikki Poirier, president of OPSEU Local 238, highlighted the low morale among staff, stating, "There is a sense of panicking now," with daily emails from upset members.

Future Moves

Conestoga College will also relocate its academic-related operations to 1 Young St., near city hall, moving out of the former Market Square building this fall.