By Diana Scheddin
Along with increased enrolment, Nipissing University is offering new programs and taking steps to ensure the institution is ready for the arrival of more students in September.
Enrolment is expected to increase by 42 per cent this fall, partly due to the double cohort, as well as new programs, says Barry Schneider, marketing and communications officer at Nipissing.
A new residence has been built and classrooms have been added to accommodate the influx of students to the university. People with physical disabilities are now able to study at the institution through the enhanced services offered, he adds. The project was put together by the Learning Opportunities Task Force authorized by Ernie Eves in 1997. Schneider explains that in 1998 the Ontario government contributed $1 million to help fund this project.
The program consists of nine components: a special admission program arranged to assess specified needs for each student, academic advising, tests, special classrooms, computers, software, adaptive technologists, mentors and counsellors, says Dan Pletzer, manager of counselling and special needs. The pilot project involves Canadore College, Loyalist College and Trent University.
There are two new programs at the university: the nursing program and the criminal justice program, both a collaboration between Canadore and Nipissing.
The university is also working on developing a new Web site that will build on the accomplishments of the arts community and showcase arts-related events. The site has been named INCARD (Institute of Northern Arts and Culture Research and Development).
“The Web site is an attempt to (share) information about artists, associations and events in the North Bay area,” says Bill Plumstead, a professor at the university.
Plumstead says eventually he would like the site to be used as a research base focusing on the economic impact of the arts.
