With COVID-19 still very present in Manitoba, the expectation this year was that attendance would be down at post-secondary institutions. In the southeast, however, that is simply not the story. All three local colleges are saying their enrollment numbers have, quite surprisingly, been unaffected by the global pandemic.

Enrollment is "pretty much the same as last fall" at Providence University College.“I was anticipating that students would be a little bit hesitant to register for programs, but that is actually not the case,” shares Mary-Ann Shukla, the Manager of the Red River College Campus in Steinbach. As Shukla explains, RRC has chosen to gradually begin classes in phases over the course of the month. By the time October hits, she says about 100 students will be attending class, which is normal. Officials at Providence University College in Otterburne are reporting much the same thing.

“We’re looking at 442 students in total which is pretty much equivalent to last fall,” offers External Relations Vice President Samantha Groenendijk, “so we are very thankful for that and we praise the Lord for his provision.”

In a school usually renowned for its high population of international students, Groenendijk was sad to inform that the virus had gouged those numbers. “But that is made up with an increase in domestic students,” she says, optimistically, “ so we are happy to report pretty steady enrollment.”

Red River College in Steinbach will have roughly 100 individuals attending classes by October. At Steinbach Bible College, meanwhile, 115 students are presently enrolled; a number that is even higher than the fall of 2019. While the number of new students attending classes is right on target, President Rob Reimer says the number of returning students is up considerably.

“I would say we have around 45-50 new students and 60-65 returning students,” he details. “When you have a big returning class like we do this year, it speaks volumes about the kinds of programs that we offer.”

All three schools have taken a different approach when it comes to educating during the pandemic.

Making all necessary accommodations for the provincial government’s health regulations, Reimer says SBC students will be attending classes almost entirely in person. The rare opportunity is afforded to the school because of their small class sizes, which typically do not surpass 20 people.

At Providence, a hybrid model is being taken.

“Students are given the choice of if they want to participate solely online or also on campus in the classroom,” states Groenendijk. “All of our classes have been situated in such a way that they would be able to change if needed.”

Like SBC, Groenendijk believes the school’s small class sizes, as well as its secluded location, will be advantageous in the coming months.

RRC, on the other hand, has opted for learning conditions that are essentially remote. While students will occasionally be invited into the building for the special “hands-on” assignments so closely associated with the college, day-to-day learning will be done from home. Some exceptions are being made though. Shukla says any student who does not have internet access, is being welcomed to the campus to learn in-person “so they are not disadvantaged in any way.”

Despite challenging protocols necessitated by the virus, all three institutions say they are dedicated to providing the high-quality and learning and engagement their students have come to expect of them.