Over 3,200 students are taking part in a virtual orientation at the University of Saskatchewan Wednesday.

Vice- Provost of Teaching and Learning Patti McDougall at the University of Saskatchewan says that is an increased number compared to where they have been other years.

There is a remote learning website which contains extensive materials, gives students tips on how to be successful in the remote learning format, on how to get ready and lots of it is interactive.

There is also a remote teaching development site where courses will be delivered remotely. It will contain professors teaching in real time as well as material that can be accessed at the student’s convenience.

She says the greatest proportion of in-person delivery would be in the health sciences and even those students are doing some of their program delivery remotely as well. She says they have been very judicious about what can be done in person because they don’t want to have to back track or shut down like they’ve seen happen at some universities in the United States.

She notes that faculty had three days to put the remainder of their course on a remote learning site when COVID-19 struck, versus the months they’ve been working on what is being presented this fall for students.

As compared to the same time last year, she says the University enrollment is stable and up slightly, but within a percent. The Vice-Provost considers that an excellent position to be in.