Increasing enrollment shows the value of University of Regina education
Rising student enrollment has become a constant at the University of Regina.
The University of Regina has experienced an increase for 10 consecutive years. This past fall, 15,568 students registered for classes, which marks a 1.9 per cent bump over Fall 2017 and is 33 per cent higher than the Fall 2008 totals.
There has been a seven per cent increase in self-declared Indigenous students, who now comprise 13.3 per cent of all students (a 97 per cent increase from Fall 2009). International student enrolment has grown by 14 per cent over the past year (165 per cent higher than 2009).
“It is very gratifying as it demonstrates the value people place on a University of Regina education,” said president and vice-chancellor Vianne Timmons. “It’s also inspiring to see an increasing number of Indigenous and international students on our campus. These students bring diverse experiences and knowledge to our campus and in doing so help create an even more vibrant, inclusive educational environment.”
The University of Regina’s strategic plan prioritizes student success, research impact and commitment to communities, with an overarching focus on Indigenization and sustainability. Timmons said that the institution’s faculty and staff, who she noted are the foundation of the university’s growth and success, have “embraced these priorities.”
“Over the last ten years, we have concentrated on meeting the increased student demand by adding new tenure-track faculty positions, renewing and expanding campus spaces, and increasing program, distance, and online course offerings,” she continued. “We have also made student retention a major priority, and have implemented a number of initiatives to ensure that students who begin their programs, ultimately finish those programs.”
As Timmons explains, a key factor in the U of R attracting and retaining students has been communicating with them to understand their needs. She said the university’s Board of Governors and Senate are a “window on the world”, as they consist of representatives from the business and professional community, different communities across the province, and faculty and students. The U of R also conducts formal public consultations, such as when it was developing its Campus Master Plan and creating a partnership with Conexus.
“During my annual Community Connections Tour, I visit communities across Saskatchewan to talk with community and business leaders, as well as other educational institutions,” Timmons said. “We also maintain connections with our more than 73,000 alumni who are spread across the country and around the world, and our faculty and staff serve the community in countless ways.
“As a result of these and many other engagement activities, we have significant support in the community for our role and the initiatives we undertake.”
Timmons is proud of the increased enrollment of Indigenous students at the University of Regina, because she feels it shows that the institution is effectively creating an atmosphere where these students “feel like they belong.”
The U of R has a federated partnership with First Nations University of Canada and the Indigenous Advisory Circle continues to provide recommendations on how to make the university more welcoming for Indigenous students. Timmons also highlighted the nitôncipâmin omâ -”We Are Here” mentorship program for first-year Indigenous students. During the past two years over 90 per cent of students in the program were retained from the first to second year.
Timmons credits the increase in international student enrollment to the creation of UR International several years ago. She said this program is a “one-stop shop” to promote the University in key international markets, develop partnership agreements with institutions in other countries, facilitate the exchange of students, and provide academic, cultural and social supports to international students.
The University of Regina has been celebrating growth in more areas than just student enrollment. On Oct. 5, 2018, the U of R held its official grand re-opening event for the newly renovated College Building at the College Avenue campus. The early Collegiate Gothic style building had been deteriorating after 100 years of use, so the decision was made to undertake the $63.6 million restoration project. The fully-renovated building features modern teaching technology, increased building accessibility, and ultra-high energy efficiency.
“The re-opening of the College Building was tremendously important because it was a commitment to another century of public education and outreach in our city and province,” Timmons said. “Revitalizing it to a modern, accessible place of learning was a community endeavour, and we owe a great debt of thanks to the many individuals and organizations who provided their support to build on the legacy of previous generations.”