'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
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
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.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.