For the second year in a row College of New Caledonia in Prince George is seeing a sharp increase of students signing up for the fall semester.
In an effort to reduce student wait lists, CNC is adding 10 new classes, totalling an additional 250 seats, in a number of core courses for the fall program, said Dr. Don Precosky, Dean of Arts, Science and Business.
"Sections have been added in English, criminology, anthropology, psychology, computer science, Aboriginal studies and business in an effort to get as many students as possible into classrooms this September," Precosky said.
"It's exciting that this growth is happening and our cohort programs are full and that our arts, science and business are growing," Precosky who's calling on students on wait lists to visit the admissions office or call 250-561-5867 and register as quickly as possible.
Additional classes have been created in Criminology 101 and 103, three sections of English 103, Anthropology 101, Psychology 101, Computer Science 109, Aboriginal Studies 101 and Marketing 152.
Additional part-time instructors are in the process of being hired before classes begin Tuesday, Sept. 7.
"This year, we're already ahead of where we were by Labour Day in 2009," said Precosky. "It's due partially to the economy and partially to the reputation of the college."
CNC's Trades Division is also adding a second class to its Electrical Foundation-level program that begins Sept. 7. The 20-week program prepares students for the electrical apprenticeship program.
With its first class of 16 already full and another eight students on a waiting list, the decision was made to add the second class, said Frank Rossi, Associate Dean of Trades.
"We're asking students who are interested in the electrical program to submit their applications to the admissions office as soon as possible," Rossi said.
Last year at this time, CNC added enough seats to remove about 100 students from waiting lists in criminology, English, Aboriginal studies, business math and accounting & finance.
Like this year, officials attributed the 2009-2010 increase in student applications to a lagging economy and lack of jobs.