Okanagan College faculty say the closure of the school's Modern Languages department is the latest example of programming cuts at the institution going too far.
The Modern Languages department is responsible for teaching French and Spanish classes, which will not be offered now due to the closure.
“I am deeply concerned about the impact that closing the Modern Languages department will have on our students,” said Caroline Gilchrist, Okanagan College Faculty Association (OCFA) president.
“Okanagan College, a public community college, has a responsibility to provide broad, inclusive access to education — including opportunities to study languages like French and Spanish.”
The lack of language acquisition courses at Okanagan College reduces options for students seeking a well-rounded education.
“Cutting these programs limits students’ potential and undermines the college’s role in preparing them for further academic study or success in the job market.”
The college has offered elective language courses for "many years," said Kevin Parnell, the school's associate director of college relations, and that the two options available in 2024-25 were French and Spanish.
"Over the past decade, student demand for these courses has declined," said Parnell "Annual enrolment has dropped by approximately 50 per cent in the past three years, compared to what it was a decade ago. While the college has made changes and explored strategies to attempt to respond to the decline, it is no longer sustainable to continue the department structure."
The department closure impacts two employees: a part-time administrative position (chair) and 1.1 FTE (full-time equivalent) instructional positions.
No Modern Language electives were offered for Fall 2025, and students have been able to choose from other courses to fulfill their program requirements.
The Arts and Foundational Programs portfolio will include 15 departments in arts, and three in foundational programs.
"The closure of the (Modern Languages) department will not impact students' fall schedules," said Parnell, who added should the college decide to re-introduce language elective courses, there are options to do so through one of the other departments in the arts portfolio.
The OCFA said the closure of the Modern Languages Department is just the latest example of the erosion of the college’s core mission of accessible and inclusive education for young people.
The association said demand for French is strong with nearly 194,000 students in immersion programs in B.C. from Kindergarten to Grade 12, and that enrolment in French immersion in the Central Okanagan is the strongest outside the Lower Mainland, according to numbers from Canadian Parents For French British Columbia and Yukon.
The closure adds another tick to the boxes for the OCFA against Okanagan College president Dr. Neil Fassina. The association recently conducted a non-confidence vote on Fassina among its members, and say 83 per cent of votes cast showed no confidence in the college head.
The college's board of directors renewed Fassina's contract in June and appointed him to the role on a permanent basis.
"The decision to extend president Fassina’s contract a year early and to appoint him to the role permanently reflects the board’s ongoing confidence in his leadership, abilities and commitment," said Parnell.
The board of governors heard from the OCFA directly at the June 2025 board meeting. After that presentation, in early July, Fassina invited the OCFA executive to meet to better understand the concerns of the association and its members, and to determine next steps together following the non-confidence vote.
"The purpose of the meeting was to work toward a strengthened relationship," said Parnell. "As a result, the OCFA continues to be in contact with college leadership on a regular basis, including meeting this week.
"President Fassina and the entire college leadership team welcome collaboration and appreciate the willingness of all employees to work together to support current and future students."
Fassina shared a 'state of the college' address with students, staff, and the OC community on the college's Tuesday, Aug. 19.
"As expected, there has been a significant drop in the number of international applications. We anticipate this will contribute to a drop of between 600 to 700 international students at OC this September as compared to last year," Fassina said.
"There are still difficult decisions to be made, and we know that there will continue to be changes in the coming weeks and months."
