Students sprang at the chance to register for spring term courses at Brock.

Thanks to enhanced course offerings of traditional, online and accelerated classes, Brock saw spring term undergraduate course registrations rise by nearly 30 per cent over last year.

So far, the University has clocked an increase of 2,300 course enrolments above last year’s spring/summer term.

“The initiative has been exceptionally successful,” said Anna Lathrop, Vice-President of Teaching and Learning. “The Faculties selected a strong array of courses that are high-demand, both because of their online delivery modality, and because of these courses fulfill context requirements. I am so delighted.”

Lathrop noted most of the online courses filled almost immediately when registration opened earlier this year. Meanwhile, some context credits, those required humanities, social sciences and science credits that all students must obtain to graduate, saw a 50 per cent increase in enrolment.

Anecdotally, students also seem to be taking more than one course, she added. The 50 students in Lathrop’s first-year Foundations of Movement Studies class offered this spring all raised their hands when she asked if they were taking more than one class this term.

“This has been a tremendous success,” Lathrop said. “This is all new territory given the fact that we had no institutional indicators to be able to predict student demand and interest.”

Lathrop credits the success of the term to Faculties, departments, and program advisors who helped promote and spread the word about Brock’s revamped offerings, which enable students to attend school during a time that might otherwise be reserved for full-time jobs or some rest and relaxation.

The Office of the Registrar, Student Services, Conference Services, University Marketing and Communications, Brock University Students’ Union, Institutional Analysis, and Information and Technology Services also had a hand in the success, she said.

“We would not be in the position we are without the work that everyone contributed,” she said.

Still, no one is resting on any laurels. Looking ahead, Lathrop said Brock will continue to build its online course offerings.

Expressions of interest for online and e-learning course development show significant faculty interest. Courses will also be marketed to students earlier in the school year, giving them more time to plan to attend spring term classes.

“All this bodes well for 2014 Spring/Summer session,” Lathrop said. “We are moving full speed ahead with growing interest from students and faculty.Stand by for another successful Spring next year.”