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By Teagan Rasche

MHC excited about having students back on campus this fall

Mar 22, 2021 | 4:30 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The Alberta Minister of Advanced Education announced students can return to on-campus learning this fall semester.

“I personally am so ecstatic for classes,” said Veronica Yeoman, the Students’ Association president at Medicine Hat College. “One of the biggest things I think of with the college experience is the social life and the sociability of meeting your teachers, your friends and new students. This last year has been so difficult to have that.”

To prevent having too many people on campus during the pandemic, students had to learn online.

While some may have preferred it, Yeoman did not.

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After finishing an online program a few years ago, going to MHC was her chance to attend post-secondary in person.

“I learned very quickly then and there that I am a very weak online learner,” Yeoman said. “Coming back to school years later to the in-person just solidified how tricky the online is and how important it is to be face to face.”

Kevin Shufflebotham, president of Medicine Hat College, says students are on both sides of the fence when it comes to online learning.

“I think the students really appreciate the flexibility that comes with that,” Shufflebotham said. “But I have talked to students who really miss the face-to-face interactions.”

The college has some big plans to improve student life.

A new health and wellness facility is expected to be ready by the winter semester. It will include new fitness facilities, cultural spaces and simulation training.

“I think it’s a great facility that will not only benefit the students but will also benefit the community,” Shufflebotham said. “We’re really excited about that.”

Shufflebotham says this facility is just the beginning of a larger vision to improve the campus.

As the college prepares to welcome students back, following safety protocols and restrictions will be the top priority.