September 4, 2000 For Immediate Release

Classes in the 2000-2001 academic year begin on Tuesday, September 5th, and although enrolment figures won't be known for a couple of weeks, registrations at this time are up about 7% over the same period last year. Just over 3300 students attended UNBC during the fall semester in 1999.
There are a number of new activities at the University this semester:

· Three new certificate programs are being offered in Aboriginal Community Resource Planning, Rural and Northern Nursing, and Traditional Environmental Knowledge.

· New student exchanges are taking effect this year including a huge American-based exchange program (which includes 167 US universities), a NAFTA program focusing on community sustainability, and one-to-one exchanges with universities in Italy, Germany, and Norway.

· The first UNBC Scholars are registered to begin classes at UNBC this semester. The UNBC Scholars program recognizes the top grade 11 student at every northern BC high school and provides them with the opportunity to have their tuition fees waived for an entire bachelor's degree program after they complete high school. Twenty-four students are attending UNBC this semester on the scholarship program, from as far away as Fort Nelson, the Queen Charlottes, and 100 Mile House.

· The University's Apple computer lab has been upgraded with the addition of 15 new iMac computers, with capability for designing web pages and editing digital video. The University has a total of seven computer labs.

· The university has renewed its soft-drink contract with Pepsi after consultation and approval from students. The five-year contract includes provision for Pepsi to financially support some student activities and awards.

· Some Tim Horton's products will be available on campus when the new Bear Café opens on September 18th. Located on the ground floor of the Library building near the student computer labs, the café will provide sandwiches, soup, and Tim Horton's coffee, muffins, bagels, and doughnuts from 8am - 6pm Monday to Friday