'We're almost through this': Lethbridge schools ready to welcome back students for the fall
In about a month, college and university students will once again be flooding campuses in Lethbridge.
It's been a strange year for everyone, but Lethbridge College registrar, Marko Hilgersom, is ready to bring people back.
"We really miss having students here the past year,” he told CTV News.
"We had, on average, 300 to 400 students a day on campus, but that's a far cry from 5,000 students."
Some Ontario schools are calling for mandatory vaccinations for all students and staff before they come back, but that’s not the rule in Alberta so far.
While Lethbridge College said its students won't require vaccines, but they are hoping for them.
"We are encouraging vaccinations because that's in line with public health guidelines," said Hilgersom. "So, you know, we're all in it together and we got through this, or we're almost through this, and we just want to get to the end."
When it comes to the University of Lethbridge, they've been trying hard to push the vaccination effort.
They ran their 'It's Worth A Shot' contest for the student body, which gave every student with at least one dose a chance to win a free semester of tuition.
The faculty was also included to really push the campaign.
Students' Union President, and fourth-year music major, Holly Kletke, is impressed with the school's effort.
"I think that it's a great commitment that upper administration have shown towards making a safe campus environment," she said.
However, Kletke said there is still some worry about going back to school when it comes to COVID-19, but she hopes everyone works together to stay healthy.
"It's kind of a double-edged sword, it's both exciting and anxiety inducing at the same time," said Keltke.
"But I'm glad to see that there is a return to campus and I hope that we can all keep contributing to making a safe campus environment for each other."
Lethbridge College starts welcoming back students on Sept. 7 for orientation.
First day of full classes for the college and the U of L starts on Sept. 8.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.