The North Island College (NIC) Board of Governors has voted to support the Expediated Program Impact Assessment (EPIA) recommendations, resulting in the suspension of 15 programs.
"This was a careful and considered decision by the Board," said Nancy Arsenault, chair of the NIC Board of Governors. "In reaching it, the Board considered information gathered through NIC's EPIA process, including enrolment data, financial efficiency, employment outcomes and alignment with the college's provincial mandate."
Supporting affected students is a priority for NIC. The college is committed to helping those impacted understand their options, while also assisting them in completing their studies.
A program suspension is not a cancellation. Plans will be developed for each suspended program to revise, reimagine or re-evaluate its future. This approach ensures the college can explore improvements while maintaining a focus on student success throughout the suspension period.
The following programs are affected:
Continuing Education and Training
- Adventure Guiding Certificate
- Hospital Unit Clerk Certificate
Arts, Science and Management
- Bachelor of Business Administration - Marketing
- Global Business Management Post-Graduate Diploma
- Digital Design and Development Post-Graduate Certificate
- Digital Design and Development Post-Graduate Diploma
- Web and Mobile Application Development Diploma
- Web Design Fundamentals Certificate
- Advanced Digital Design and Development Diploma
- Android Application Development Certificate
- Fine Arts Diploma
Trades and Technology
- Coastal Forestry Diploma
- Coastal Forestry Certificate
- Furniture Design and Joinery Certificate
Health and Human Services
- Human Services Diploma
"We reflected on the many community voices and weighed our responsibility to balance the budget," said Arsenault. "We also worked to meet the directives of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, to whom the Board is accountable."
The EPIA, which is a two-step review process, began in September with recommendations coming in October as to which programs were moved to step two to determine their status.
In January, 15 programs were recommended for suspension. According to Policy 3-20, "suspension" means that the intake of new students is suspended and the program is removed from the academic calendar for up to two years.
NIC will develop completion plans to ensure all current students can finish their programs. Plans will include clear guidance on course completion, timelines and any alternative pathways to credential completion.
"Supporting students remains central to this work," said Tony Bellavia, Vice-President, Academic. "Completion planning is a structured process designed to provide clarity, continuity and options for program completion."
The EPIA process was, in part, a response to significant declines in enrolment and revenue as a result of federal government policy changes affecting international students. The result for NIC, and post-secondary institutions throughout Canada, has been a significant drop-off in international student applications and enrolment.
The other major factor in undertaking the EPIA has been a provincial directive to review programs and stay sustainable, as outlined in a June 2025 mandate letter. In November, the B.C. government also announced a sector-wide review of post-secondary education and emphasized the importance of aligning programming with labour market demand.
"It is evident that North Island College matters deeply to the communities it serves," said Jerad Langille, Vice-Chair and Finance and Audit Committee Chair. "With more than 50 years of service across the region, the Board remains focused on ensuring NIC's long-term sustainability, so it can continue serving students and communities for decades to come."
