First-year students staying away from Laurentian University following insolvency crisis
The number of first-year students attending Laurentian University is expected to drop significantly this fall with many who applied and were accepted now getting cold feet.
Ken Steele, a Canadian expert in higher education, student recruitment and strategic planning, said statistics from the Ontario Universities' Application Centre show first-year enrolment confirmations are down 30 per cent at LU.
That's significant because most of the students would have applied in January, before the university declared insolvency Feb. 1. The fact so many of them are choosing to go elsewhere shows at least a short-term impact on enrolment.
Ontario universities on average saw a 1.9 per cent increase in confirmations this year. LU's result has the school tied for the bottom with University of Guelph-Humber, which saw a 31 per cent drop.
"If a 30 per cent decline in confirmations isn’t made up somehow (perhaps by offering more scholarships to attract students who declined their offers, or through international applicants, or perhaps retention of upper year students) it should mean that the first year class is 30 per cent smaller," Steele said in an email exchange with CTV News.
"Most university undergraduate programs are four years in length, so that would mean at least a 7.5 per cent decline in total undergraduate enrolment. But because more institutions lose 20-40 per cent of students from each year to the next, first-year students can be 30-40 per cent of total undergraduate enrolment."
What that translates into is an approximate 12 per cent drop in overall enrolment, he said, with ominous implications long-term, as a smaller first-year class means less tuition fees than forecast for that cohort of students.
Steele suspects LU timed the insolvency declaration after the January application deadline, to minimize the impact on applications.
It "definitely reflects students voting with their feet against the uncertainties of a university in CCAA protection," he said. "Laurentian also cut a third of their programs, but they keep saying those were small programs, enrolling just 10 per cent of their students. So three times as many students are staying away, it would seem."
While the figures reflect first-year enrolment, Steele said that cuts to graduate programs will likely mean fewer grad students, as well.
"Some of Laurentian’s best-known research programs (environment, physics, Indigenous) are gone," he said. "So I wouldn’t be surprised if the impact on incoming graduate students is even worse, but I have no way of knowing that."
In response, Laurentian University said the drop was expected because of the school's financial problems
"With respect to projected enrolment, the decrease in students who are confirming their offers of admissions was anticipated as a result of the CCAA process," LU said in a statement.
"We are encouraged by some of our nationally recognized programs where student demand has remained consistent for many years. Additionally, we are seeing a higher-than-expected interest from international students as global mobility has increased and we are able to welcome international students on campus once again.
"A drop in confirmations was to be expected, but we have planned for this and are seeing encouraging signs that the recovery has begun. We would like to thank the students and families who have placed their trust in us and we are looking forward to welcoming you and kicking off another great academic year."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
B.C. man used Bobcat as 'weapon' while chasing away homeless people, judge says
A B.C. man has been convicted of assault with a weapon after using a skid-steer Bobcat to chase two homeless people from his lawn, injuring one of them in the process.
'Nobody should be getting away with murder': Grieving mother speaks out after son killed in North Preston, N.S.
A grieving mother is speaking out after her 36-year-old son was shot and killed in North Preston, N.S., Wednesday night.