From the Registrar | Academic Newsletter | Seneca Polytechnic

by Sharon Kinasz, Registrar

in the Spring 2017 issue

As one term ends, another begins. It has been a busy few months since the last update, and there is a lot of work underway to get us ready for the September 2017 intake.

There has been a big push to grow our enrolment over the past two intakes to compensate for the decline in our domestic high school applicants. Our recruitment and marketing teams are focused on developing creative strategies to recruit non-direct and mature applicants; the international recruiters are working hard to attract an increasing number of applicants from around the world. Based on our latest enrolment statistics, Seneca has students from over 150 different countries enrolled in programs throughout the college.

The focus on enrolment for the coming year is of particular importance as the Ministry moves forward with a new funding model. The emphasis on growth will diminish over the next several years as we implement a corridor-funding model which will stabilize funding between a ceiling for enrolment growth and base point for decline. Establishing our mid-point over the next year will be important, so we are focused on moderate growth over the next three intakes to recover from the domestic enrolment decline that has occurred over the past year. To ensure we are able to process the increased enrolment, we are working hard to improve efficiencies in all our processes and improve our services to applicants and students. As of April 4th, the Newnham campus launched a new queuing system and service model that consolidates several of our front-line services. Students can self-select the service they require and meet with the individual best able to answer their questions. Several roles have been modified within the Registrar’s Office to incorporate a broader knowledge base that includes registration, admissions, and general financial aid. There are a few technical bumps to work out, but we are off to a good start and hope to have more to report in the next update.

(See the A New Way to Access Service at Newnham Campus article in this issue for more information on the new queuing system.)

View the Spring 2017 issue of the Academic Newsletter.