Statistics released today show that overall student enrolment at the University of Regina (U of R) and its federated colleges has declined by 2.2% this semester compared to the same time last year.

Registration numbers at the U of R campus as of October 1 (the end of the fourth week of lectures and the final add/drop date for students) are as follows:

	2007 number of students	2006 number of students	Percentage change year-over-year
University of Regina (undergraduate enrolment excluding federated colleges & Centre for Continuing Education)	7,710	7,736	-0.3%
Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research	1,483	1,325	+11.9%
Centre for Continuing Education	378	402	-6.0%
Campion College	925	1,034	-10.5%
Luther College	653	774	-15.6%
FNUniv**	848	995	-14.8%
Overall U of R Total	11,997	12,266	-2.2%

**These data reflect FNUniv students entered in the U of R student
information system as of October 1. The total number of students does not include 166 students registered in stand-alone programs (NEPS, NHSAP and NSDT). Student Success Services, Oct. 1, 2007.

**FNUniv manual registrations (mostly Northern Campus students
registered as U of R students) total 1,110. Regina 351, Saskatoon 248, PA 345, and stand-alone programs 166. Student Success Services, Oct. 1, 2007.

“This slight decline in overall enrolment does not come as a surprise. It corresponds with forecasts that take into account the employment boom and demographic shift that have been occurring in Saskatchewan,” said Barbara Pollock, Vice-President (External Relations) with the U of R. “At the same time, we are encouraged by the fact that graduate enrolment increases each year, because this is a strong indication of the long-term value our students place on a university education.”

Maintaining and even increasing graduate and undergraduate enrolment is a priority for the U of R, as it is for universities right across Canada. For that reason, the University has a number of initiatives in place to recruit and retain students here in Saskatchewan, in other parts of Canada, and internationally.

These initiatives include:
• developing at a long-term Strategic Enrolment Management plan for the University;
• exploring and implementing new program offerings such as the Executive MBA program and graduate degrees through the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy;
• making presentations at career fairs, post-secondary education days and admission workshops in high schools throughout Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta and BC. There is also an increasing focus on international recruiting, including China, Thailand and the United States;
• the recent creation of an Aboriginal Student Recruiter position to better provide service to Aboriginal students who are considering post-secondary education;
• an increase of $700,000 in the amount of financial assistance available to students this year in the form of scholarships and bursaries; and
• expanded delivery of University courses in high school.

For further information, please contact:
University of Regina
Stephen King
Manager, External Relations
585-5439 (office)
536-4312 (cell)

Luther College
Jennifer Arends
Marketing & Communications Officer
585-5411 or 791-9167 (office)
531-3015 (cell)

Campion College
Joanne Kozlowski
Director, Communications & Admissions
359-1244 (office)
591-0130 (cell)

First Nations University of Canada
Tina Pelletier
Communications Officer
790-5950 ext. 2600 (office)
530-9228 (cell)