Top Ten

May 28, 2007

uSask gets set for School of Business:

The University of Saskatchewan College of Commerce, currently operating over capacity, has plans for expansion and will soon become a “School of Business” instead. The new dean says the change is more than symbolic, and that the new name truly fits: “the college term, certainly from a US point of view, is a junior entity. The bigger concern was that people were starting to wonder why we were staying out of the 'school of business' category.” Before the name change becomes official, the future school is hoping to add the name of a benefactor. The Saskatoon Star Phoenix

uWinnipeg announces new Aboriginal college

The University of Winnipeg, host of last week’s meeting of Aboriginal and university leaders, has announced plans to create an Aboriginal college at the university. uWinnipeg hopes the college will attract more aboriginal students, and reduce their rate of withdrawal. uWinnipeg’s president wants the institution to be Canada’s number 1 choice for aboriginal students. The school already offers relevant programming, but will now bring it under a single college rather than leaving it dispersed across the institution. Housing and child care services will also be added. CBC

CSL reports female students borrow more for PSE:

The Canada Student Loans Program has tabled its report for 2004/5 in the house of commons, and is expected to release the report as early as this week. The report shows that 40% of full-time PSE students use CSL, but 60% of the $10.6 billion in loans went to women (who are only 55% of PSE students). On average, women borrowed $4,882 -- $131 more than men. CSL explains that the imbalance is because women are more likely to attend university than college. Globe & Mail

Saint Mary's announces tuition freeze:

On the heels of Dalhousie University, Saint Mary’s University has also announced that tuition will be frozen for the 2007-08 year. Full time students from Nova Scotia will get a $500 reduction in tuition, on top of the freeze, all made possible by funding commitments from the provincial government. Approximately 80% of SMU’s students are from Nova Scotia. The Chronicle Herald

McGill and NRC announce partnership:

The McGill University Health Centre and the National Research Council of Canada have announced a new partnership between their organizations. MUHC Research institute researchers will be taking up operations at the NRC Biotechnology Research Institute in Montreal. McGill’s team will have access to NRC’s “ultramodern facilities” and “leading-edge expertise in health biotechnologies.” McGill & NRC News Release

New federal program helps with international accreditation:

A new federal program promises to help professionals with foreign accreditations to get assessment and recognition prior to arriving in Canada. Hundreds of thousands of immigrants who come to Canada with university degrees or alternative credentials will potentially be assisted by the Foreign Credentials Referral Office. Branches are open in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Halifax and Winnipeg, and a total of 320 locations are planned to open by this fall. Pilot offices have also been opened overseas, in China, India, and the Philippines. Maclean’s

Greening fad doesn't extend to forestry enrolments:

Although Canadians are increasingly preoccupied by environmental issues, the Toronto Star reports that enrolment doesn't seem to be following suit. Enrolments at agricultural colleges and faculties of forestry have dropped sharply, and BCIT is closing its forestry programs. Lakehead University’s Faculty of Forestry and Forest Environment enrolment is currently a quarter of what it was twenty years ago, and UNB Fredericton could accommodate twice as many students as it has. Students may be turned off by outdated stereotypes of farmers and lumberjacks. Many schools have changed program names to get students thinking with an open mind, emphasizing “food sciences” and “environmental management.” Hot topics include food safety and sustainable energy. The Toronto Star

NL premier sides with CFS at national meeting:

The premier of Newfoundland, Danny Williams, spoke at the Canadian Federation of Students national meeting, calling student debt “an albatross around the neck of the future.” Williams says student debt is just one example of his disagreements with the current federal government, which he accuses of inequality and unfairness. He said CFS is an organization of which Canadians should be proud. Newfoundland and Labrador’s tuition fees are currently frozen and the lowest in Canada -- 54% lower than the national average. Maclean’s

OCUFA teaching awards announced:

The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations has announced its 2007 teaching award winners. Brock, uOttawa, uToronto, Laurier and uWindsor each had faculty members honoured. A Ryerson University librarian won the top academic award. OCUFA News Release

Google won't sell ads to paper mills:

Google has put academic essay-writing services on a blacklist along with prostitutes, firearms dealers, and hacking websites. Websites offering essay services are now in the “forbidden advertising zone,” and are not permitted to purchase search terms from the Google AdWords program. Paper mills won't appear as sponsored links, but may still appear in regular search results. The Chronicle of Higher Education (Subscription Required)

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