Rise in student numbers brings building boom.

An anticipated surge in students over the next few years has triggered a building boom on the campus of Nipissing University.

Space has been at a premium at the 1,870-student undergraduate institution for a while. And with student numbers expected to escalate over the next few years as enrolment at all Ontario universities and colleges increases due largely to the double-cohort, the elimination of the Ontario Academic Credit year in high school, it is expected Nipissing will receive 600 additional students by 2005 to bring full-time enrolment close to 2,500.

The popularity of programs such as the faculty of education, resulted this year in the largest convocation ever, with 961 graduates, 60 better than in 2000, and 105 more than 1999.

"Nipissing is a vital, growing, energetic place to be right now,' says communications officer Marie Smith. "The fact that we went from three graduation ceremonies last year to four is indicative of the growth."

To stay ahead of the pack, construction began in May on the new $12.7-million academic and administrative wing, following the selection of Gap Construction as the contractor.

The 6,318-square-metre (66,800 square-foot) expansion, funded by the Ontario government's SuperBuild program, will deliver 85 new offices, 12 classrooms, six labs, three seminar rooms and a student lounge area for the Sept. 1, 2002 ribbon-cutting.

It follows on the heels of other recently completed capital projects including a $2.8-million information technology wing and a $3.5-million student athletics centre, both unveiled last fall.

A new $10-million, 306-bed apartment style student residence opens this fall with 12,934 square-metres of space (132,659 square feet).

One feather in Nipissing's cap was its top ranking in a recent Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities sponsored survey indicating Nipissing sees 98.3 per cent of its graduates employed within two years of the convocation ceremony.

"The faculty of education (which represents the university's fastest growing program) plays a role because teachers are very much in demand," says Smith.

Currently the program provides 640 seats with capital plans afoot for future expansion.

Smith says the university's small campus and intimate classroom settings hold an increasing appeal to students from southern Ontario, of which 40 per cent make up the general student population.

By way of new programming, the university is collaborating with Canadore College to offer a bachelor of science degree in nursing, marrying the academics of a university degree with the practicality of a college program. The program begins this fall as part of a new provincial initiative whereby nurses must graduate from degree programs by 2005. It is expected that as many as 65 first-year students will enroll at fall startup.

Nipissing's bachelor of commerce in financial services recently turned out its first graduates. The program, which is geared to the banking industry and distance education, currently has enrollees representing nine provinces and 13 countries.