LaSalle College Alters Student Enrollment Amid Language Reform

Dozens of students at LaSalle College in Montreal have been unexpectedly transitioned from full-time to part-time status just weeks before the start of the academic year. This significant change comes as the college attempts to comply with new language quotas imposed by the Quebec government.

The transition has left students such as Alex Abraham, 33, grappling with uncertainty about their educational and professional futures. Abraham, who was preparing to enter the second and final year of his network management program, expressed his dismay at the decision. “I was shocked,” he stated in response to the email notifying him of the enrollment adjustment. “We all came here with lots of expectations and dreams.”

Part-time status brings a host of challenges, especially for international students. Under current Canadian regulations, part-time students are ineligible for the post-graduation work permit and may only work off-campus under specific conditions. For Abraham, this change directly impacts his ability to maintain his factory job, which he relies on for financial support.

According to LaSalle College, approximately 90 students are affected by this shift for the fall semester. In a statement, spokesperson Caroline Gervais noted that the college is taking these measures to ensure compliance with the Charte de la langue française and the government-imposed quotas on English-language AEC (Attestation d’études collégiales) programs. The college faced significant penalties last academic year due to over-enrollment, incurring fines totaling nearly $30 million.

Abraham, like many of his peers, learned about LaSalle College through educational agencies while living abroad. He chose to study in Quebec, attracted by the province’s culture and the potential for professional growth. “The standard of living is good here in Canada compared to India,” he explained. “We are all putting in the effort to learn the [French] language and trying to build a career here.”

The college’s decision to modify enrollment status was influenced by various factors, including student performance and course availability. Gervais clarified that the changes do not indicate that LaSalle College exceeded its overall AEC quota. Instead, they result from the complex dynamics of scheduling and academic pathways.

The administrative email sent to Abraham specified that the college had the capacity to accommodate him as a full-time student but was unable to do so due to the government cap on enrollments. Gervais acknowledged the stress and disruption these changes can cause, particularly for students whose graduation timelines and immigration statuses may be at risk.

Despite being aware of the college’s substantial fines, Abraham did not anticipate that his course load would be altered without prior discussion. He remarked on the seemingly arbitrary nature of the decision, stating, “I have the right to know the reason for this change.”

A meeting has been arranged for affected students with representatives from Immigration Canada and LaSalle College, where Abraham hopes to gain clarity on his situation. “I will be dissatisfied if it’s merely the college’s way of avoiding more fines,” he added. “I am not the reason for the fine. They did the wrong thing; they violated the rule.”

As the situation unfolds, students like Abraham continue to navigate the complexities of their academic journeys while facing the ramifications of institutional decisions and government policies.