The change to university status has proved to be a popularity booster for the University of the Fraser Valley. Applications for admission are up 30 per cent over this time last year.

"We’re very happy with these numbers," said UFV Vice President External Robert Buchan. "We have made a big push for recruitment of students and it appears to be paying off.

"The Fraser Valley, with its large population of young people, is a popular recruiting ground for many universities, and we want to make sure the local university is the top choice for as many of them as possible."

Applications from international students from countries around the world are also up significantly.

Several factors have combined to make it easier to recruit students for UFV. The change to university status from the more confusing university college label, combined with a major rebranding exercise, helped boost credibility and visibility, said Buchan.

"Plus, in times of economic downturn, people generally think more about upgrading their education," he added.

It also helped that the 2008 Globe and Mail Canadian University Report singled out UFV as the top public university in B.C. — of any size — for overall quality of education, quality of teaching, most satisfied students, best student-faculty interaction, and best career preparation.

Student recruitment co-ordinator Devon Wilson is delighted that the university’s recruiting efforts are paying off so well.

"The change to university status was very helpful," she said. "We’re not having to explain who or what we are as much. There has also been a real sense of local pride around status; the majority of people that we interact with quickly began using the new name and often expressed positive support."

UFV welcomes student tours and recently implemented free busing for local high schools interested in bringing students to campus.

"We find that once people experience UFV they love it, so we want to make sure as many prospective students as possible get a taste of what it’s like here," Wilson said.

UFV has hired a transition co-ordinator to act as a liaison between the university and partner school districts in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Mission, Maple Ridge, Agassiz, and Hope.

Visit www.ufv.ca to learn more.