Classes have started at Red Deer College and in 26 years at the school, president Joel Ward says he’s never seen one that’s been this action-packed.

“If you think about what’s coming, we have the Canada Winter Games, we have five national events this fall in preparation, we’re opening our Alternative Energy Lab next month,” Ward says.

“We have our residence that’s unique in the country that will be opening for the Canada Winter Games around Christmas time and of course, all the excitement about being a university.”

Ward says the college will be working with the province in October on the transition to university status.

“The work we’re doing with government is submitting a transition plan. What’s it going to cost, what are the new programs we’re looking at, how long it’s going to take, when are we going to change the name,” he says.

In the fall, Ward says the community will decide on a name for the school, to be submitted to the province in February.

This year, 7,500 students are enrolled at RDC.

The school also has seven new programs, including:

  • Bachelor of Applied Arts in Animation and Visual Effects
  • Bachelor of Science in Psychology
  • the Justice Studies diploma
  • Pre-Health Sciences Certificate
  • Health Care Management Post-Diploma Certificate
  • E-Learning Instructor Post-Diploma Certificate
  • Adult and Higher Education Instructor Post-Diploma Certificate

As well, there will be three new facilities on campus, including the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, Alternative Energy Lab and new residence.

Chaise Combs, president of the Students’ Association, says students are in for a “monumental year” with the upcoming Canada Winter Games.

However, Combs says students will have to make some sacrifices this year.

“Students living in residence will be asked to leave their homes for one month and that’s going to put some logistical burdens on them as well as the class schedule change,” Combs says.

He says the Students’ Association is pledging its support to those affected through academic appeals in order to mitigate the effects on grades.

Paulette Hanna, vice-president academic says the disruption will be minimal, as there will be a two-week break during the Games.

“Those that have no place to go, they’ll be accommodated elsewhere. We made arrangements for them. There’s even transportation for them,” Hanna says.

“I think a really good indication that it hasn’t been a disadvantage to them is that we have equal number of students in residence that we always have. So I believe that they feel they’ve been taken care of.”