Medicine Hat College is expecting a drop of about five to 10 per cent in enrolment this semester. (Photo Courtesy of Bob Schneider)

By Chris Brown

Higher learning

College expects enrolment will be down slightly this semester

Aug 20, 2020 | 12:23 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Whether they’re learning in-person or online, there will be fewer students at Medicine Hat College this year.

The college normally has between 2,500 and 3,000 students.

“Early estimates I’m guessing we’ll be somewhere in the five to 10 per cent range, we’ll be down,” says Sandy Henderson, dean of student services and registrar. “A lot of that has to do with the fact that a lot of our international students just aren’t able to come to Canada right now which is unfortunate.”

The enrolment drop at the local college won’t be as pronounced as at other post-secondary institutions in Alberta.

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“I know our faculty and staff have been working really hard to spread the message that you know, we’re going to be here delivering a really high-quality education experience,” says Henderson. “It might look a little different than past years but we’re really looking forward to getting things kind of back up and running again in September.”

Henderson says the college can’t say yet what the overall impact the loss of students will be on the budget, but says each international student pays about $10,000 per year in tuition.

He adds there are still spaces open in some programs for anyone to sign up at the last minute, and more info is available at mhc.ab.ca.

A virtual new student orientation takes place on Sept. 1, with classes beginning on Sept. 2.