Top Ten

March 18, 2008

OCUFA launches "Quality Matters" microsite

OCUFA website

The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations has launched an online campaign to let the government know just how much education means to students, parents and faculty. The "Quality Matters" campaign points out that "threats to the quality of education" at Ontario's universities persist, despite 2005's "Reaching Higher" plan. OCUFA reports that Ontario ranks last in Canada for per capita funding of universities, and has the worst student-faculty ratios in the country. OCUFA News Release | Quality Matters campaign

uBishop's captures student experience with 11 short videos

Bishop's University has released 11 short films about life at the university, all under 90 seconds. A documentary filmmaker recorded interviews with Bishop's students recounting their Bishop's stories, and how their time at the school changed their lives. The videos are available online via Bishop's website. Bishop's News Release | Watch the Documentaries

Mount Royal BCmm and BBA degrees approved

Calgary's Mount Royal College has received approval from the Alberta Ministry of Advanced Education and Technology to add two new degree offerings, bringing the total to 6. Students enrolling in the newly-approved Bachelor of Communication can specialize in information design, journalism or public relations, while those in the Bachelor of Business Administration can concentrate on accounting, human resources, marketing or general management. MRC News Release

uSask reopens expanded, updated College of Law

The University of Saskatchewan's College of Law unveiled its expanded home last week, with new state-of-the-art multimedia-equipped classrooms, a new student lounge, student organization offices and a new space for the University's Native Law Centre. The upgrades took over 2 years and cost $16.5 million. uSask News Release

New Brunswick tuition to freeze for 2008-09

A government source has told the national media that the New Brunswick government will announce later today a freeze on university tuition for 2008-09. The province's schools will receive an additional $12 million in funding to address student debt. This 6% funding boost will be split across UNB, St. Thomas U, uMoncton and Mount Allison U. New Brunswick and Quebec had the country's largest tuition increases last year -- 4.8%. Canadian Press

SFU releases First Nations strategic plan to improve experience

A 2001 study found that educational quality for First Nations students can be predicted by the incorporation of First Nations faculty and indigenous knowledge perspectives, among other factors. Simon Fraser University has released the details of its First Nations University-Wide Strategic Plan, which will incorporate Indigenous perspectives into the curriculum, hire more First Nations faculty, and incorporate "a strong First Nations student services model." SFU News Release | Report

Student codes of conduct to include Facebook

Many Canadian schools are updating their codes of conduct to include Facebook and other online communities. Ryerson University clarifies that this is about updating the code to be up-to-date with society, rather than a new policy of online surveillance. Ryerson, Bishop's and Trent are all currently looking at possible code revisions. Other schools are intentionally treating online communities like private environments and leaving them alone. The National Post

uToronto now most veggie-friendly campus

The University of Toronto is the new "most vegetarian" school in Canada. (McMaster University previously held the title.) Canadian campuses are "faring well" at satisfying vegetarian community members across the country. UBC and uVictoria are noted as being particularly strong in this area. "More and more universities are rapidly expanding their vegetarian and vegan options, in response to student demand." One survey finds that almost 25% of students want vegan options. CUP Ontario (subscription required)

US institutions prepare for significant demographic shift

Recruiters at US institutions are expecting to see dramatic changes to the demographic makeup of their prospective applicant pool. Starting next year, the number of direct-from-high-school prospects is expected to drop in most parts of the country. The population of non-Hispanic white students is expected to drop 10% or more. Minority enrolment is expected to climb from 30% (2004) to 37% (2015). "The majority will become the minority." The Washington Post

Students take up arms over environmental issues

USA Today reports a "youthquake" of green activism on campus. Students across the US are working together to act on goals that came out of January's "Focus the Nation" teach-in. Students are finding their "calling" by embracing the green movement. Traditional student interests are still around, and one student activist has resorted to telling peers that climate change will cause the cost of beer to go up, in order to get students' attention. USA Today

Main menu