Record enrolment at U of L

The University of Lethbridge has hit a record for enrolment this year.

A record total of 8,628 students are registered at the U of L’s Lethbridge and Calgary campuses, representing an increase of 2.1 per cent over Fall 2015.

Substantial increases were recorded in undergraduate enrolment, specifically in science disciplines, where enrolment was up 6.4 per cent.

“I believe these numbers reflect an understanding that the University of Lethbridge will provide students an outstanding educational experience that is supported by world-class faculty members and staff dedicated to the needs of students,” said U of L President Mike Mahon in a recent news release. “I think they also speak to the excitement around the Destination Project and the promise it holds for the university taking another step forward in its scientific research activities.”

First Nations, Métis and Inuit students are up 9.1 per cent from the previous year, to a total of 480 students.

“Our commitment to FNMI education is sincere and longstanding,” said Mahon. “Our connection to this land upon which we are built and the FNMI community runs deep and we continue to ensure a welcoming, supportive and inclusive environment for our students.”

Other areas of growth include the university’s graduate student population, up 2.7 per cent to 575 students; a stable Calgary campus enrolment figure of 795 students; and a continuing trend of more new high school students coming to campus, a total of 1,295, which represents a 20 per cent increase over the last two years combined.

“We recognized that with the changing landscape of post-secondary education in Alberta, that our transfer student numbers would decline and therefore devoted resources to attracting more new high school students,” said Mahon. “We’re very pleased to see this population continue to increase as it gives these students a full four-year undergraduate U of L experience.”

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