From the Registrar | Academic Newsletter | Seneca Polytechnic

by Sharon Kinasz, Registrar

in the March 2021 issue

Enduring a year of endless lock downs, social restrictions, and many compromises, Seneca appears to have come through the experience with renewed resilience and the ability to thrive. The winter 2021 intake resulted in Seneca’s highest number of post-secondary enrolled students ever. A total of 29,259 students started the winter term from various locations around the world, for the most part in their own homes. Although extensive and detailed planning, despite the restriction of 10 people within instructional spaces, has allowed us to bring just over 3,500 students onto campus this term to safely complete the applied portion of their studies.

An extraordinary amount of work both in and out of the classroom was required to achieve this record enrolment. Collaboration and dedication to the common goal of supporting our students appears to be the driving force of our success and thus a huge congratulation is extended to all for this tremendous outcome.

As we progress towards the summer and fall intakes, domestic applications are growing slowly but our market presence is persistent and focused efforts are underway through the Enrolment Management Committee to ensure we maximize all efforts to meet our projected targets. There has also been a drop in our international applications, but due to the early release of offers and some process improvements, the number of offers we have generated compared to last year at this point in the cycle has grown significantly, which has also increased confirmations and provided a solid enrolment base.

A major upgrade to the registration interface (Visual Schedule Builder) is currently in testing and will be in place for the summer registration period taking place this month. The upgrade should reduce system load, which will provide better access with fewer interruptions through the registration period. Students will also be able to access their advising report from within Visual Schedule Builder to assist with course selection. We continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to capture input for further improvements, so if you have feedback, please do not hesitate to let us know.

Looking forward to longer days, warmer weather, and more vaccines arriving in Canada that will allow us to move ever closer to a much desired and enviable “post pandemic” state.

View the March 2021 issue of the Academic Newsletter.