Vancouver Career College halts new enrollments amidst safety concerns at downtown campus

Students looking to enroll in courses at the Vancouver Career College (VCC) in downtown Kelowna will have to look elsewhere, as the school has made the decision to discontinue new admissions and cancel upcoming classes.

The decision comes as a result of various safety concerns held by the school for their students with the on-going situation on Leon Avenue in Kelowna.

Edward Jonathan, Regional Vice President of the college, says that because of issues the campus continues to face downtown, they are discontinuing new enrollments and are also cancelling upcoming classes, including the Registered Massage Therapy (RMT) program.

Jonathan says that the action is being taken while they “contemplate a solution, which may include relocating.” Students who have had their classes cancelled are being refunded in full for their deposits and payments.

“RMT is a two year program and we do not want to start a class without first determining a concrete [plan going forward],” Jonathan told NowMedia. “This was not an easy decision as we are well aware that it puts a hold on our students future and careers and against our motto of ‘changing lives through education.’”

Jonathan details conditions faced by students and staff at the college including used syringes and litter scattered around the building and bodily fluids in the alcoves. He says that homeless people taking shelter in the alcoves and entrances and refusing to move prior to classes has also been an issue.

In one incident, the school had to deal with a fire in a garbage container that damaged their emergency exit door and a wall. Two window panes were also smashed last week, he says.

Director Monica Klanyi from VCC told NowMedia back in April that they were considering a move if things didn’t improve, saying that students don't feel safe.

“We cannot allow our staff and students to have to continue to face these conditions," said Jonathan. "While we are concerned for anybody who is in need, the situation needs to be handled in a way that it does not harm local citizens and businesses. We have contacted the City but they say there’s not much they can do and in fact these homeless shelters will now exist long term.”

For people looking to take an RMT program, there aren’t a lot of options for prospective students in the region. The Executive Director of Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy (OVCMT), Roxanne Petruk, says that they have been handling an influx of students from VCC.

“We‘ve accepted a number of VCC students,” says Petruk. “[OVCMT] is such a popular program and it’s fairly competitive entry...but we’re accommodating as many VCC students as we possibly can.”

She adds that they have limited availability for the fall intake, but they still encourage people to apply as spots may become available. There is also the option of applying for the January intake.

“We know that for people who planned to live in Kelowna that we’re the best option and we’re absolutely doing our best to accommodate them,” Petruk adds.

As for existing students at VCC, Jonathan says that they will be supported and taught out to graduation and will be provided with employment assistance. He adds that a full school closure is not currently being contemplated.