CORNER BROOK, N.L.
As Grenfell Campus in Corner Brook works to respond to the impact COVID-19 has on the institution and learning, it’s also trying to stay on track to address the priorities outlined in its new five-year strategic plan.
The plan, Committed to Communities, which was launched virtually on April 16, had been passed by the Memorial University Board of Regents on the day before the university was shut down.
Jeff Keshen, Grenfell’s vice-president, said the plan will have a slow start in a number of areas because of COVID-19, but there a few things the university will be able to hit quite easily like the desire to create online learning.
“We’re going to meet that one without too much trouble,” he said.
But first, the university has to get back to teaching.
“I don’t have a crystal ball when classes are going to start again, but I think September is going to be challenging, it’s going to be more than challenging,” said Keshen, who is concerned there will be a decrease in enrolment because of COVID-19.
It’s not just a matter of students being uncomfortable with coming back in the fall if the university is still online only, there’s also a financial factor as many could be struggling.
“They will not have jobs during the summer.” And their families may not be working.
Mayor Jim Parsons said Grenfell is a very important part of the city’s economy.
“From an economic perspective, it not only provides jobs and attracts people here to study, it provides research and it does work with local industry and really is part of our future building toward a knowledge-based economy.
“We think Grenfell is key to our economic success now and in the future and whatever we can do to ensure it can provide its programming on a going-forward basis is something we definitely want to support and to encourage at all levels of government.”
Keshen said having a personal connection with students is a strength of Grenfell’s and that could help bring students back. So, the university is reaching out to students while it prepares for online learning. Keshen said online learning will also help the university reach out to the communities around it more effectively.
“And make them feel a part of the campus and to get more people enrolled in courses where they don’t have to leave their community.”
To increase learning opportunities, Keshen expects the university will go ahead with the creation of new degrees, with two PHDs and two Masters programs already in the works.
“But other things are going to be extremely difficult,” he said. Like experiential learning, indigenization, fundraising, alumni engagement and internationalization.
“The idea of trying to increase international recruitment is going to be impossible under these circumstances, because no one is travelling,” said Keshen.
He said students can be started online, but that’s not really what they want. “They want the international experience,” he said.
“Realistically we’re going to be delayed in starting on some of these things.”
In terms of infrastructure, Keshen said the campus needs to be reinvigorated.
“It needs investment. It needs to look the part of a university. It really needs to be attractive to students.”
Grenfell has been planning some infrastructure projects, but Keshen said it’s hard to know what will happen with those. One the one hand, they could all be stalled, he said, but on the other, the government will be looking at infrastructure projects to kickstart the economy.
“And we do have a number that are ready and kind of advanced, so hopefully that some of those, in renewal of the community and renewal of the campus, could be on those lists.”
High on his list is the regional aquatic centre the university and City of Corner Brook have been working on.
“I think that could be a game changer for the university and for the community.”
Parsons agrees that would be a great project and a great boost to the community.
“We know we have a severe need for a pool here now.”
And funding applications have already gone into the federal and provincial governments.
“That would be a great one to have funded for sure,” said Parsons.
Twitter: WS_DianeCrocker
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