Board of Governors Meets in Fort St. John

June 24, 2006

Registrationsfor UNBC are up 11% compared to this time last year and a primary reason forthe increase is the speed with which the Registrar’s Office is responding toapplications from prospective students. The registration update was part of areport on enrolment that was presented to the Board of Governors today duringits meeting in Fort St. John.

“Thisyear, UNBC has been responding to applicants within three business days oftheir application and offers of admission have jumped 15% as a result,” PaulMadak told the Board during his presentation. Dr. Madak is UNBC’s Dean ofEnrolment Management. “We hope the increase in registrations now will translateinto a larger student population in September; early registrations at least enablethe University to more accurately plan for popular courses and studentservices.” The overall increase in registrations includes a 5% increase amongaboriginal students and an increase of 39% among students transferring from acommunity college or another university. Transfer students can also access anew $750 scholarship if they have an A- average at college.

Inaddition to the enrolment update, Board members also formally approved the University’snew Academic Vision. This academic strategic plan describes the focus of UNBC’sprograms and how they’re delivered. Six areas of strength have been identified:

• Natural Resources and the Environment
• Health and Human Development
• Commerce and Community Sustainability
• Indigenous Peoples’ Knowledge
• Global Processes and Perspectives
• Artistic and Cultural Expression

“Developmentof the Academic Vision included consultation with students, faculty, staff,alumni, and communities throughout northern BC,” says Howard Brunt,Vice-President Academic & Provost. “Consistently, we heard that we mustremain focused on students and that our most important measure of success mustbe the extent to which our graduates are prepared for their future challenges.This includes developing leadership and communication skills, instilling anappreciation of diversity, and fostering citizens who are engaged in theircommunity and the issues of the world.”

Boardmembers also re-elected Don Rix as Board Chair and Noreen Rustad as Vice-Chair.

Contact:
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC - 250.960.5622