Romi Levine
News Reporter
A large increase in applicants to post-secondary schools leaves Ontario colleges scrambling for ways to accept more students, but Humber will be able to accommodate the influx come September, said John Mason, vice-president of student and corporate services.
“Applications for Humber College are approximately 13 per cent ahead of last year,” said Mason. “I believe that we will have sufficient space to address most of the demand.”
Senior communications officer for Colleges Ontario, Sally Ritchie, said the increase in college applicants is linked to the economic downturn.
“People are seeing a strong link between college education and a meaningful career,” she said.
Director of advocacy for the College Student Alliance (CSA), Tyler Charlebois, said the provincial government has a responsibility to help colleges accept as many students as possible.
He said the CSA has been encouraging the government to expand the access and affordability of colleges because it will benefit the province in the long run.
“There’s a large return for the individual to get educated, and a large return for the government in terms of the individual’s ability to pay taxes and to use less social programs and social assistance.”
Mason said he is sure the provincial government will be paying attention to the needs of colleges.
“I don’t think it’s been off their planning radar in any way, shape or form,” he said.
At Humber, Mason said there is available space for more classrooms.
Expansions of buildings like the Athletic Centre and the spa management facility at the North Campus as well as shifts in program locations to places like the Lions Arena at Lakeshore Campus will allow for new classroom spaces, said Mason.
[...] This week I’m tackling the pressing issue of space on campus. By pressing I mean, apparently there’s enough classroom space to support the increase in students applying to colleges. I know, fascinating. Read it anyways? [...]