Residences filling up as U of L students return to campus

By Lethbridge Herald on September 6, 2022.

Herald photo by Ry Clarke Students line up to get their name-tags for New Student Orientation Tuesday at the University of Lethbridge.

Ry Clarke – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The University of Lethbridge welcomed students to campus with its New Student Orientation Tuesday at the 1st Choice Savings Centre gym. 

The assembly helped students understand their supports and taught them all abut the academic year ahead. This year’s event was tailored to the students, asking parents to stay behind, hoping to introduce students to new friendships and help ease the worry of dread and loneliness that can cause anxiety for a first-year student. 

Starting at 9 a.m. students were welcomed to campus by Erasmus Okine, vice president of academics, Kathleen Massey, associate vice president students, and Asheley Cowie, University of Lethbridge Student Union president. The trio welcomed the assembly of students in the gym with open arms and bright smiles, happy to see students on campus for the start of their academic year. 

“This is the largest group of new students we have had, and they’re just the new students, not their parents today. I’m really impressed by their enthusiasm, by the size of the group, it’s the largest that I’m aware of, on New Student Orientation Day. I’m feeling quite excited, very positive and enthusiastic going into it,” said Massey. 

Students began populating campus again over the weekend, moving into residence with nearly 1,000 students making capacity 96 per cent. Social spaces will be open this year allowing students to create social connections that were harder to do under COVID-19 restrictions. Though the University does not have a mask mandate, students are welcome to wear one if they choose, along with other measures to ensure student health is kept in high regard.

“We’ve improved ventilation in the building to heightened international standards. In buildings across campus, there is an air exchange that happens in rooms that are occupied. When people leave, then there’s an air exchange process that occurs. We have free masks available for anyone who needs one and hand sanitizer available across campus. There are a number of measures that have been taken, if you want to wear a mask here, you’re encouraged to wear one. We want to keep each other safe,” said Massey. 

For students and staff, the return to campus is adding to the adrenaline as the crowds began to flock in. 

“The energy level is high, you can feel today is already different than it has been for the last few years. You could really feel the excitement of the students moving into residence over the weekend. They have lots of questions for us, and I think they’re just really excited to take this next step in their journeys,” said Natasha Buis Deering, registrar and executive director of student enrollment. “When we think about the last few years being heavily pandemic influenced, this feels like the first return to what we would see more historically. We are expecting great attendance today, and can’t wait to welcome so many new high school and transfer students to campus.”

Buis Deering notes the registration numbers show a great growth to the campus with the pandemic restrictions now largely eliminated.

“Almost exponential growth at the graduate level, we’ve introduced a lot of new programs and credentials. International student numbers are really encouraging. Then at the undergraduate level, we brought on some new programs and certificates, so we are seeing that those are meeting a need for students as well,” said Buis Deering.

With classes resuming today, Sept. 7, the university is ready to welcome new and returning students to a campus that has missed them dearly and is happy to see them. “Welcome to all of the students who chose the University of Lethbridge. We’re so thrilled that they’re here. We know they’ll do great things and make us even better. Be kind to each other, to professors who are world class experts here to help them become all they want to be. It’s exciting times for our students and we’re so glad they’re here,” said Massey.