Positive numbers
Enrolment steady in a challenging environment

September 19, 2008

Although the numbers are still preliminary, student enrolment at the University of Saskatchewan in the first week of classes is up slightly compared to the same time last year, a positive sign considering both the intense competition among Canadian institutions and a declining pool of high school graduates in Saskatchewan.

David Hannah, associate vice-president of student and enrolment services, said while the figures change almost hourly during the hectic "add/drop (classes) period" at the start of the academic year, overall indications are that the final enrolment number should be "at or above last year's enrolment number, and that's a good sign in an environment where our primary market pool is diminishing."

The number of high school graduates in Saskatchewan has declined by about 440, or 3.8 per cent, over the last two years, he said, "and that's going to continue. If we're able to hold our registration numbers in this environment…I'm happy."

Another positive sign is the number of continuing students, which is up 6.4 per cent over last year. Hannah said this bodes well for overall retention at the U of S.
He also pointed out that two colleges – Agriculture and Bioresources and Arts and Science – are showing increases in student numbers over this time last year, a turn-around from previous enrolment pressures.

The U of S will conduct its annual official census to determine final enrolment numbers at the end of the fifth week of classes in mid-October.