University of Ottawa Halts Greek and Roman Studies Program

The University of Ottawa has announced the suspension of its honours program in Greek and Roman studies, a decision that has raised concerns about the future of classical studies at the institution. In an email to CBC, a university spokesperson confirmed that the Faculty of Arts made the “difficult decision in the Fall of 2025 to temporarily pause admissions” due to persistently low enrolment figures.

According to the spokesperson, this pause aims to provide an opportunity to “reimagine and relaunch the program” with hopes of attracting more students to the Honours Bachelor of Arts. This move is part of a broader evaluation and revitalization process intended to ensure that the university’s programs align with student aspirations and community needs.

Low Enrolment Sparks Concerns

The decision has left many, including the chair of the university’s department of classics and religious studies, feeling disheartened. Dominique Côté expressed his shock upon learning about the decision two weeks ago. “I was really in a state of shock,” he stated. He noted that the department has struggled with low enrolment for two decades, highlighting that only seven students enrolled in the honours program this academic year, alongside approximately 50 returning students.

Côté mentioned an agreement between the department and the Faculty of Arts, where professors taught larger classes in Greek and Roman mythology, allowing them to continue offering smaller advanced language seminars. Now, he fears this arrangement may no longer be viable.

Current students will not be affected by the suspension and can continue their studies. However, Côté believes this decision could signal a decline in humanities studies at the university. “I would like the university to reflect on the place of humanities,” he remarked, adding that he has not received responses to his inquiries from senior university officials.

Suspension of Related Programs

The situation is compounded by the previous suspension of a master’s program in late antiquities, which also faced low enrolment challenges. Bernardo Mingarelli, who completed his Master’s in Late Antiquity at the University of Ottawa in 2017 and currently teaches part-time, expressed disappointment. “I brought back all of my skills to make this institution better, and now I’m being told that I can’t do that anymore,” he said.

Despite these setbacks, Mingarelli remains hopeful that the university will reconsider its direction. “We are optimistic that this will not come to pass, that the faculty and the university will see that the history of the classics is part of the heritage of the Franco-Ontarian people,” he stated.

Currently, the University of Ottawa offers four undergraduate classes in Latin and four in ancient Greek, all taught in both of Canada’s official languages. Mary Sabourin, a fourth-year student in the honours program, had intended to pursue a master’s degree but is now concerned about the program’s future. “I definitely think there should be an effort made to keep the program afloat,” she said.

Côté, while acknowledging the financial pressures, argued that suspending the program is not a cost-saving measure. “They will not save a penny by suspending the [program]. This is not really about budgetary issues,” he emphasized. He believes the decision reflects a broader vision that the Faculty of Arts is trying to define, which could undermine the integrity of various disciplines.

The University of Ottawa has offered Latin classes since its inception as the College of Bytown in 1848. As the university navigates these changes, the future of classical studies hangs in the balance, prompting a call for reflection on the importance of humanities education.