By Kristine Hamlyn
The results are in. According to the Association of Atlantic Universities 2003-2004 preliminary survey of enrolments, Memorial University has the highest enrolment of all Atlantic Canadian universities. An increase of four per cent in both full and part-time undergraduate and graduate enrolment over last year now puts Memorial’s student body at 17,278.

“There are several reasons we are very proud to have the largest student population of Atlantic Canadian Universities,” said Maire O’Dea, acting registrar. “Firstly, there are a lot of people who don’t realize how big Memorial actually is; this helps us to communicate that. Further, the survey results indicate that we have not only managed to maintain our enrolment levels but increase them, and we have done this in the face of major challenges such as our province’s declining demographics. Students are beginning to view Memorial as the quality educational institution it is, and realize the value of coming here.”

The survey also indicated a 16.8 per cent increase in international student enrolment at Memorial, up to 528, a difference of 76 students over last year; and a graduate enrolment of 2,121 up 9.1 per cent from 2002-2003.

“We are interested in not only increasing enrolment but increasing specific portions of the student body,” said Ms. O’Dea. “Memorial is proud of its diverse student body. We are constantly working to increase this diversity and essentially create a balanced learning environment for all.”

This year, Dalhousie was second of all Atlantic Canadian universities with enrolment of 15,519 students and
University of New Brunswick ranked third with 12,872 students in total.

Memorial’s final undergraduate application summary report, which deals only with students who have applied to MUN at the undergraduate level but have not yet accepted or registered, revealed a 13 per cent increase in applications for fall 2003.

According to Ms. O’Dea, the difference between the number of students who apply and the number who actually register is not uncommon among the university community, in fact trends indicate that difference may continue to grow in coming years.

“Today more students are aware of the options they have, and more of them are willing to put their name into the hat,” said Ms. O’Dea. “Once we have received the applications, Memorial must then look at ways to heighten the possibility of attendance with continued follow-up efforts, person-to-person interviews, telephone and email contact, generally a more attentive approach.”

As Memorial looks to the future, it continues to work to ensure students’ needs are met. As the student population continues to grow, the university understands the need for increased space, ample student services and administrative services and increased faculty and staff recruitment. Memorial is currently looking into the various ways to reconfigure the resources it has in order to meet these growing needs.

“We need to ensure we live up to what we market,” said Ms. O’Dea. “The positive experience of those who come to MUN is our best promotional tool. As our student population increases we are presented with more and more valuable opportunities to ensure this happens.”