Applications Rise, Guelph-Humber Exceeds Targets

Applications to the University of Guelph are up nearly 24 per cent this year, with the number of secondary students making Guelph their first choice increasing by more than 15 per cent, according to figures released last week by the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC).

The February "snapshot" of applications to universities across Ontario includes students seeking admission to the new University of Guelph-Humber. These figures show that more than 1,100 students have applied to Guelph-Humber, which will be accepting 200 students this fall into its three initial programs in business, computing and media studies.

System-wide, applications to Ontario universities increased by nearly 20 per cent, OUAC figures show.

"We are very pleased that so many qualified secondary students are interested in enrolling at Guelph," says Prof. Maureen Man- cuso, associate vice-president (academic) and chair of the Enrolment Co-ordinating Committee. "This is a tribute to our outstanding programs, faculty, students and staff."

Prof. Michael Nightingale, vice-provost (academic) for Guelph-Humber, adds that he is "delighted" with the application numbers. "It has exceeded our expectations. The first class at the University of Guelph-Humber will be one of highly qualified and motivated students, which is very fitting for this innovative and collaborative endeavour."

Guelph-Humber is offering students the unique opportunity to earn a fully integrated university honours degree and a college diploma in only four years of study. The university is located in Toronto at Humber's north campus, where a new building will open in fall 2003 and additional program offerings will be added, including early childhood studies, gerontology, family and community social services, and justice studies and police foundations.

"The application numbers show that secondary students are very interested in Guelph-Humber," says David Trick, vice-provost (administration). "They also send a clear message that we are on target for expanding our offerings in 2003 and eventually enrolling 2,000 students."