UNBC Welcomes New Students as Classes Set to Begin

As the academic year approaches, the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) is preparing to welcome a new cohort of students. Move-in day has brought many students and their families to the campus in Prince George, with classes commencing on September 3, 2024. Joel Burnham, a second-year civil engineering student, arrived with his father, Jason, who works as a plumber in the Greater Vancouver area. The family is optimistic about Joel’s future career prospects, which may include a position at Jason’s company.

Joel and Jason drove from their home in White Rock, bringing with them a packed SUV filled with essentials for university life, including furniture, personal items, and even Joel’s hockey gear. After settling in, they plan to explore local mountain biking trails before Jason returns home. “There are some good trails around here,” Joel mentioned, reflecting on his past year at UNBC and the unique challenges of adapting to life in northern British Columbia.

Despite growing up in a region with little snow, Joel has adjusted well to the winter conditions, often finding the quiet roads in Prince George a welcome change from the busy streets of his hometown. He appreciates the smaller class sizes at UNBC, where the civil engineering program has approximately 60 students, compared to over 500 at the University of British Columbia (UBC).

UNBC’s structured move-in schedule has significantly improved the experience for both students and their families. The residence can accommodate just over 500 students, and this year, approximately 480 students are moving in over two days. This marked the 35th anniversary of UNBC, which was established following a petition that garnered 16,000 signatures.

As of mid-August, UNBC reported a total of 2,351 full-time equivalent (FTE) students, reflecting an overall enrolment of 2,915. This represents a five percent increase in FTE students compared to the previous year, with domestic enrolment rising by the same percentage. However, the university has seen a decline in international students, attributed to federal policies that have limited the number of international study permits.

Bill Owen, UNBC’s vice-president academic and interim provost, expressed enthusiasm about the new academic year, likening the return of students to the renewal of spring. He noted, “Our full-time equivalents are up right now, and we’re waiting for the September 1 report to provide further insights.”

While domestic enrolment has grown, the decline in international students is being felt across Canadian universities. Owen explained that the federal government’s two-year cap on international students has resulted in a significant reduction of permits, impacting institutions differently. “For UNBC, because we weren’t as heavily invested in international students, we haven’t felt an impact to the same degree as other provincial institutions,” he said.

Financially, UNBC has faced challenges, as tuition increased by two percent this year—the maximum allowed. Owen indicated that this increase will not fully cover rising operational costs, noting, “The university has to find other ways to financially support what we do for our students.” The institution is exploring reallocating funds and utilizing carry-forward funds from previous years to meet current needs.

Despite financial constraints, there have been no faculty cuts this year. However, UNBC is considering delaying some new hires as part of its budgeting strategy. Owen emphasized the importance of maintaining small class sizes to foster a community feel, while acknowledging that some classes may need to be slightly larger to accommodate growing numbers.

The search for a new president continues following Geoff Payne’s resignation to take on a new role as president and CEO of Michael Smith Health Research BC. Owen expects an interim president to be announced soon as the university board seeks members to serve on the hiring committee.

With the new academic year on the horizon, UNBC remains focused on creating an enriching and supportive environment for its students, balancing growth with the challenges presented by changing enrolment patterns and financial pressures.