The U of L's Lethbridge campus (University of Lethbridge)

By Justin Goulet

Enrolment up at the U of L, despite adjustments made due to COVID-19

Sep 16, 2020 | 11:47 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Enrolment is up at the University of Lethbridge, but not by much.

The post-secondary institution has released its student population numbers for the fall 2020 semester. Enrolment is up 0.4 percent from fall 2019, with 8,987 students registered in classes.

A representative from the U of L confirmed to LNN that, of the 8,987 students, 7,729 are exclusively taking online courses. 314 are attending in person and 644 are doing a combination of both.

There are also 300 students, classified as “other only” who are participating in co-op or field experience courses this term.

(Supplied by U of L)

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8,119 students are considered to have “full-time” enrollment while 868 are “part-time”.

Like all other schools across Canada and the world, the U of L had to make some adjustments in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Honestly, when the summer began and we started to look ahead to the fall, I’m not sure we knew what to expect,” said Kathleen Massey, the U of L’s associate vice-president (students) in a release.

“The one thing we did know is we had a lot of work in front of us to create a primarily online learning platform that would give our students, both new and returning, the U of L experience for which we are known. We then had to articulate to students and parents so they could make an informed decision about what was right for them.”

The university says numbers are up in other key figures as well, with the student retention rate up 2.1 percent from last year, with 86.4 percent of those eligible to come back to the U of L opting to return.

“Our retention rate has been a strong focus of our efforts in recent years and it’s very encouraging to see it continually climb, and especially given the circumstance this year,” Massey stated.

“These students would have had their spring semester interrupted when we were forced to vacate campus and pivot to an online delivery model virtually overnight. That they have chosen to return is testament to the work of our staff and faculty in making that switch as smooth as possible.”

The U of L noted the largest percentage increase is in the number of graduate students, up to 740. That’s a 17.6 percent rise.

Graduate students now make up 8.2 percent of the university’s total enrolment.

The Calgary campus of the U of L saw an increase of five percent to 627 students.

The Indigenous student population increased as well, up 6.3 percent to 590 students. Indigenous learners now make up 6.6 percent of the U of L’s total enrolment.

There was a six percent increase in international student enrolment, with 551 international learners.

Due to COVID-19, though, the university decided in June not to have inbound or outbound exchange programs for the fall semester.

In fall 2019, there were 54 inbound exchange students. International students make up 6.1 percent of the total student population.

“These demographics are essential to the culture of our campus and the future of our communities,” said Massey.

“Our efforts towards reconciliation are rooted in providing an academic platform that supports the Indigenous student. International students bring bright minds to our community from throughout the world and an international perspective that benefits everyone on campus.”