Brock University sees spike in enrolment

HARLEY DAVIDSON

POSTMEDIA NEWS Brock University is defying all the odds this year, with regards to enrolment.

With high schools producing fewer graduates, it’s surprising to the school that its confirmed application numbers are up 5.2 per cent from last year — more than double the average 2.4 per cent growth rate for all 20 Ontario universities.

“There’s a momentum,” says Jamie Mandigo, vice-provost of Brock’s enrolment management program. “People can feel the buzz.” In addition to the overall growth, in the benchmark 101 category, Brock has one of the top four growth rates in Ontario, up 8.6 per cent from last year. The provincial average growth is 1.1 per cent.

Brock’s spring open house drew record numbers this year.

The university expects to see enrolment up from last year’s number of 18,704.

Mandigo says no university will know the actual enrolment numbers until classes start in the fall.

“There’s a real sense of renewal. We have a new president coming in, we keep building world-class facilities, and our faculty and staff are actively providing experiential learning opportunities for students throughout the community.”

According to a press release from Brock, in less than 10 years, the university has constructed more than $200 million worth of “cutting-edge teaching and research facilities.”

Some of the major assets include the Cairns Family Health and Bioscience Research Complex, which cost $120 million, as well as the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, costing $45 million.

Mandigo says the latest data shows positive signs for the school, in more than one category.

Independent research by Brock shows confirmations for international students have risen 29 per cent, as well as applicants from across Ontario who made Brock their first choice being up more than 13 per cent.

Applicants with an academic average of more than 90 per cent are up almost 20 per cent.

Mandigo says the school’s undergraduate programs — like math and science, humanities and the Goodman School of Business — have also seen an increase in enrolment confirmation of more than 15 per cent from last year.

Interest remains steady for Brock’s two largest facilities — social sciences and applied health sciences.

“Students have many options in where to go to school. But our hard work and reputation is getting noticed,” says Mandigo.

“Look at the growing number of first-choice selections for Brock. People know they get a great student experience when they come here.”

“We are becoming a go-to place and the numbers show it.”