Nipissing University closing Muskoka campus by end of June

Nipissing University has announced itwill be shutting down itsMuskoka campus by the end of June and will be creating individual plans to help students continue their studies elsewhere.

"As of June 30, 2016, the Muskoka campus will be effectively closed and will not be offering any degree-granting programs," the university said in a news release.

Students who do not conclude their studies by the end of June will have to finish their studies at an "alternate location," the university said.

Some students will be moved to the campus located in North Bay, Ont.

• Closing Muskoka campus a financial decision: NU

"We realize that this is a difficult decision for students and families, as well our staff and the Bracebridge community. Enrollment dropped more quickly than anticipated, and the university was concerned about the quality of the student experience for the remaining students in Muskoka,"Dr. Rick Vanderlee, dean of the Muskoka campus, said in the release.

The university said there are 79 students currently attending school at the campus and that number is expected to drop to 50 before hitting 24 by December 2016.

"Nipissing will work to ensure that the academic and non-academic needs of our students coming from Muskoka are met and that they are not financially burdened by the decision to move academic programming to North Bay," Vanderleesaid.

"The university will work with each student affected by the Muskoka campus closure to create an individualized plan to address academic and non-academic needs. Each one of those students will have the opportunity to complete their studies at Nipissing and will continue to be supported," Nipissing explained in the statement.

The university will move three full-time faculty members from Bracebridge to North Bay while four other unionized workers will be offered jobs there, too. One administrative position in Muskoka has become "redundant" due to the move, the university said.

The decision comes after the university announced last June that they would be consolidating the academic program at the campus located inBracebridge, Ont.

The Muskoka campus originally opened in 1996 and relocated to a $6.6-million facility in 2008 before a residence complex was built in 2011. The university currently has campuses in North Bay,Bracebridge and Brantford, Ont.