UBC Okanagan is on track to welcome its largest class of students since the doors opened in 2005.

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Preliminary numbers indicate that UBC Okanagan is on track to welcome its largest class of students since the doors opened in 2005.

Deputy Registrar Fred Vogt cautions that final numbers will not be available until the end of summer, but results-to-date show a growing student population.

“So far, we are looking at about 2,250 new-to-program first-year students,” Vogt says. “In total we will have more than 3,300 students starting new programs this year. This includes UBC students who are switching programs and starting second programs, like the Bachelor of Education and graduate degrees.”

Of the first-year students, 450 are international, coming from 98 countries. In total—including graduate students—Vogt says student population will be around 9,000 which will indeed be the most students UBC Okanagan has ever had on campus.

“We are very encouraged by the continued year-over-year strength in our enrolment numbers,” Vogt says. “Clearly, students and their families recognize that the availability of a world-class UBC education in a small campus setting and an inspiring location is a special opportunity. We are thrilled to welcome so many high-achieving students to UBC’s Okanagan campus.”

As more students come to learn, conduct research and work in the region, the impact of the university continues to grow, says UBC’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Okanagan campus Principal Deborah Buszard.

“As we have seen a steady climb in student numbers, we have also seen evidence of social and economic benefits accruing for the region, as many of our students contribute to local organizations through year-end projects, co-op placements and community-based research,” Buszard says.

Across both UBC campuses, there will be a total of 63,370 students—52,353 undergraduate students and some 11,000 graduate students. That breakdown includes 47,048 domestic students and 16,322 international students, with a total of 7,166 new first-year students at the Vancouver campus.

New for the school year at UBC Okanagan is HEAL 100, a new course open to all students regardless of program that will have a strong emphasis on health and well-being. Developed over the past year by the School of Health and Exercise Sciences, HEAL 100 offers an in-depth look at health studies with an emphasis on student health—focusing on education, research and their impact on a variety of student health issues.

Another new course available to all UBC Okanagan students examines food systems in their entirety. Food Systems I: System Thinking examines the food system as a circle—rather than a chain—and covers subjects such as food production, processing, distribution, consumption and waste.

“We look forward to welcoming the extraordinary new students who will be joining us from our local communities and around the world—that’s what makes this such a special place,” says Buszard.

UBC Okanagan back-to-school by numbers

9,000 - Total student population
2,250 - New-to-program first-year students
3,300 - Students starting new programs
450 - International first-year students
98 - Countries represented
151,763 - Cups of coffee sold at the campus cafeteria
24,667 - Piece of whole fruit purchased (75 per cent grown locally)
3,279 - Food and beverage discounts given for those that brought their own reusable containers
6,000 - Approximate daily transit trips (students, staff and faculty) to and from campus

More information about back to school at UBC, including campus tips from university President Santa Ono, can be found at: http://www.ubc.ca/backtoschool/

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