The University of Ottawa has paused new admissions to its honours program in Greek and Roman studies, a move that has sparked concern among academics and students who fear it may signal a deeper shift away from traditional humanities disciplines. Falling enrollment numbers have revived a broader discussion about the role and relevance of classical studies in today’s university environment.
A spokesperson for the university confirmed the suspension, which began in Fall 2025. They stated that the pause is intended to give the Faculty of Arts time to redesign the program in hopes of attracting more students.
The university says it is part of a wider review to ensure academic offerings remain aligned with student interest and community needs. Current honours students will be able to complete their degrees, but the announcement has raised concerns among faculty and alumni who believe the program’s future is at risk.
A longstanding program with shrinking support
Professor Dominique Côté, chair of the Department of Classics and Religious Studies, called the decision “unexpected and worrying.” While enrollment has always been modest, Côté said the department had long balanced its smaller language courses with larger classes in mythology to justify its place in the curriculum.
“We’ve managed small class sizes for decades, but that was understood as the nature of classical studies,” he said. Now, with only seven new students and about 50 returning this year, Côté fears the program may not survive.
Faculty, students, and alumni voice concerns
The suspension follows a similar halt last year to the university’s master’s program in late antiquities due to low enrollment. One of its graduates, Bernardo Mingarelli, now teaches part-time at the university and believes the decision marks a setback for the study of ancient history in Canada.
“I returned to contribute to the institution that shaped me,” he said. “Now it feels like the doors are closing for future scholars in this field.”
Fourth-year student Mary Sabourin had hoped to continue onto graduate studies in classics. She acknowledges the small size of the program but believes it deserves revitalization, not suspension.
“There’s real value in ancient languages and history,” Sabourin said. “I’d like to see the university put more effort into modernizing the program and promoting its importance.”
What the suspension means for Greek studies and the Humanities programs at universities across America
While the university says it will still offer major and minor options in Greek and Roman studies, part-time lecturers could face reduced teaching opportunities. The program currently offers eight ancient language courses in Latin and Greek, taught in both English and French, a tradition dating back to the university’s origins in 1848 as the College of Bytown.
The move raises broader questions about the future of humanities programs at universities across North America. Under pressure to prioritize enrollments and budget efficiency, many institutions are reconsidering fields once considered central to a well-rounded education.
For advocates of classical studies, the worry is not just for one program, but for the legacy of the humanities as a whole – disciplines that offer insight into the foundations of language, literature, and society.
