In response to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Providence, along with all other universities and colleges across the country, is engaging in the process of planning for different scenarios when our campus reopens in the fall. We now find ourselves in the position of assessing capacity in the light of the public health crisis, and reevaluating budget projections for 2020-21 student enrollment, revenue and expenses.
“We feel it is both necessary and prudent to situate Providence in a place where we can offer the maximum experience to students while remaining financially stable enough to adapt to an ‘as of yet’ unknown situation come September,” expressed President David Johnson.
For Providence, this has resulted in some difficult decisions including changes we’ve made to our Music and Sociology programs as follows.
- We will be phasing out our academic Music program offerings beginning September 2020.
- Instead of a four-year major, we will only offer a three-year Sociology major beginning September 2020.
Providence’s top priority and commitment is to work closely with existing students who need to fulfill requirements to finish their degrees. We will help each student navigate through this transition time. Providence will provide students with access to the course instruction and guidance needed so they can complete their studies and graduate as planned.
The Music Program (in particular) has had a prominent place in the life of Providence since its beginnings on the Otterburne campus. Historically, Providence sent out choirs and choral groups on tour to various locations across Canada. We know that many of our alumni have fond memories of melodic strains echoing in our university’s hallways and corridors as music students diligently practiced their harmonies. We understand that it’s disappointing to our Providence community that a program of such historical significance will be dropped from the curriculum.
These decisions have not been made lightly by the Providence Administration. It has been motivated by the need to ensure that Providence is positioned to remain strong and stable – for our students, for our employees and for our community – during these uncertain times.
If you are a student at Providence, and need to speak to somebody directly about these transitions, please contact the Registrar’s Office at 1-800-668-7768.
