St. Clair College Cuts Programs and Staff Amid $5.5M Deficit

What this means for you: If you are a current or prospective student at St. Clair College in Windsor, your program options are shrinking. You may find your classes moved from downtown locations to the main campus, and some programs have been suspended indefinitely as the school deals with a massive funding gap.

The Situation

St. Clair College is facing a serious financial crisis. The school is projecting a $5.5 million deficit for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

This is largely due to a huge drop in revenue. The college estimates it will lose $153.7 million by fall 2026 because of new federal government caps on international student visas.

Since 2023, international student enrolment has dropped by 93%. Because international students pay much higher tuition fees, this drop has left a massive hole in the budget.

To fix this, the college is cutting costs. This means fewer programs and fewer staff members.

Key Changes

• Programs Suspended: The college has already suspended 18 programs.
• More Pauses Coming: Three additional programs are expected to be paused this fall.
• Campus Changes: The downtown MediaPlex building will no longer be used. Classes held in leased downtown spaces are being moved back to the main South Windsor campus.
• Staff Cuts: The budget plan includes staff reductions and an organizational restructuring.

While the college has a $73 million sustainability fund to help manage the crisis, President Michael Silvaggi says the school must "right-size" to survive.

Who is Affected

• Current Students: You may see your class locations change. If you are in a suspended program, you will need to speak to an advisor immediately to finish your degree.
• Prospective Students: You have fewer choices for programs starting this fall. You should check the college website to see if your desired program is still active.
• Staff and Faculty: Some positions will be eliminated as part of the restructuring.

What You Should Do

1. Check Your Program Status: Go to the official St. Clair College website to confirm your program is still running. Do not assume your classes are safe.
2. Contact an Academic Advisor: If your program is suspended or paused, make an appointment immediately. You need a plan to transfer credits or finish your courses before they are cancelled.
3. Update Your Commute: If you have classes at the MediaPlex or other downtown leased locations, prepare to move to the main Windsor campus.
4. Monitor Your Email: The college will likely send updates regarding campus access and schedules.

Bottom Line

St. Clair College is shrinking to survive a $153.7 million revenue loss caused by the international student cap. Students should expect fewer program options, a consolidated campus experience, and potential disruptions as the school restructures for the 2026-27 fiscal year.