This column focuses on a wide range of issues affecting post-secondary students. Students are encouraged to submit suggestions and educational topics they are concerned about, or personal experiences with courses or university situations they feel other students should know about. If suggest a topic or a course alert for taking notes, contact voice@ausu.org, attn: Debbie Jabbour

UNIVERSITY ENROLMENT AT A NEW HIGH

University enrolment reached a record high in 2003, with 990,400 students entering university across Canada. This was an increase of 6.1 percent over the previous year, and 20.4 percent higher than 1997 enrolment. Female students comprised the greater number, accounting for six out of every ten undergraduate students (Statistics Canada, 2005).

Statistics Canada attributes the increase to the elimination of Grade 13 in Ontario, a record gain in foreign students (the numbers almost doubled), and the new economic realities that make a university degree essential in the workplace. Increases were seen in almost every field except math and computer science, with business, management and public administration leading the way.

There are expectations, however, that these high numbers will begin to decline over the next few years as the children of baby boomers complete their degrees or enter graduate studies (CanWest, 2005).

References
Statistics Canada (2005, October 11). University enrolment 2003/04. The Daily. Retrieved from http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/051011/d051011b.htm.
CanWest News Service (2005, October 12). University enrolment hits record. Edmonton Journal, A14. Retrieved from http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=616a3cdb-0a4b-469b-bb56-43364de5baf7.