Certain students with on-campus requirements are back at Medicine Hat College for in-person classes, while more than three quarters are learning from home.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com@mocranker
Though the parking lots, classrooms and hallways are mostly empty, classes successfully resumed last week at Medicine Hat College.
The college has about 15 per cent of its students back for in-person classes right now, with the rest learning through online means.
MHC vice-president academic Vicky Roy says the first week of classes has been smooth.
“So far, so good,” she said. “We have a strong plan in place and we have greatly reduced the number of students who are on campus.
“Our programs on campus are blended with in-person and online learning, while most of our programs are done online.”
College students in programs like nursing or a trade will have in-person aspects of their learning this year.
“Education, arts, design, nurses – these are good examples of who we will see on campus,” said Roy. “Some programs just need to have in-person time.”
The school usually has about 2,700 students on campus, but is currently sitting near 400. Roy finds it weird walking around the halls.
“I came here from B.C. to start this job in April and the college was a ghost town,” she said. “For me, seeing the bright students smiling around the school gives me hope.
“We just need to make sure we stay on our plan.”
So far the college has seen a five per cent decline in enrolment, but the penalty-free drop date has not passed yet, meaning that number could go up. Roy says the college is taking a wait-and-see approach.
Second-year business administration student CJ Silver says the school feels completely different from last year.
“It’s worlds apart,” she said. “I’m the type of student who needs a lot of face time, and I ask a lot of questions, speak up in class and take a lot of notes. All of a sudden, I’m just by myself at a computer. That’s hard.”
While online learning can be a struggle, lots of positive has come out of the e-learning so far.
“Students have really been supporting each other,” said Silver. “It’s been incredible to see the offers of help from students and teachers. I’m hearing this from other students, too.
“Teachers are being super flexible and this has been a really supportive start to a new year.”
Student Association president Veronica Yeoman says the start of the year has been good, all things considered.
“It has gone really well,” she said. “Most instructors I’ve heard are giving some option to be learning synchronous or asynchronous, which is really helpful.
“So many of us have different schedules outside of school, and this really gives us the chance to learn when we’re able to.”
