CONVERTED MANSION

I suspect very few university presidents in Canada are provided with oncampus living quarters, as is the case at the University of Saskatchewan. In most cases, these homes/mansions have been converted (potentially at minimal cost) to international student offices, daycares, etc.

In light of what we learned in the story, Plans for Daycare at U of S Reexamined (SP, May 14), would it not be a wonderful gesture, on the part of central administration at the U of S, to convert the president’s residence into a much-needed daycare, given that available spaces are woefully lacking for the children of faculty, staff and students in our current facilities? Official social functions could occur at the University Club (formerly Faculty Club), which would support the future of a valued gathering place threatened on many campuses.

Also, given that enhancement of the student (undergraduate and graduate) experience at the U of S is stated as a priority, many colleges could likely find space, within their own walls, to devote to child care. In the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, students may already have an undergraduate degree before entering our fouryear DVM program and are, therefore, older. Also, there are many more female students than in the past — although male students with families may certainly require daycare facilities as well.

Our graduate student cohort is steadily growing and these students too are more mature and likely to have families. This may be another way to provide convenient, safe daycare for our students at a relatively low cost compared to building yet another expensive facility on campus property. The convenience of having daycares close by would reduce the stress level for these students considerably — also enhancing the student experience. Marion Jackson-Sopuck Professor and head Dept. of Veterinary Pathology U of S