The Bader International Study Centre (BISC) experienced “significantly reduced” student enrollment in the fall and winter semesters, leading to a decrease in the European campus’ revenue, according to financial projections submitted to the Board of Trustees ahead of its March 6 meeting.

The castle’s struggle to attract students isn’t new. In 2018, The Journal reported that the BISC’s Board of Trustees, which oversees its operations, has been sounding the alarm about the campus’ financial woes in annual reports since 2012.

In recent years, BISC trustees have warned about the campus’ financial viability and potential risks for the future. “The key risk to the charity is a sudden or persistent decline in income causing the BISC to cease to be financially viable,” a 2017 report read. 

In 2016, Queen’s and the BISC established an “enrollment taskforce” to create a strategy for increased engagement with the castle. Since Hugh Horton was appointed vice-provost and executive director of the BISC in 2017, Queen’s has ramped up efforts to sell the BISC to incoming undergraduate students.