Back to campus – happily
The students are back. There is something great about the September rush that still takes my breath away, even after 30 years. For too many years, we greeted the students with a mixture of awe and concern. The promise and potential of every student is awe- inspiring. It is a matter of concern when their classes may be too big, and their opportunities constrained.
This year is different, even if the rituals in the quad are the same: moving in, checking out the bookstore. There is wonderful music and laughter, and it takes longer to get a coffee. But among this usual activity there is one unusual fact. This year we will begin to have the resources to transform the university experience for our students.
In its May budget, the Ontario government announced its Reaching Higher plan for post- secondary education. An additional $683 million in new operating funds will be provided in 200506. By 2009- 10 the cumulative investment will reach $ 6.2 billion. The plan responds to the recommendations in Bob Rae’s review of postsecondary education called Ontario: A Leader in Learning.
Reaching Higher
and A Leader in Learning are lofty objectives. But why settle for anything less? The Ontario Task Force on Competitiveness, Productivity and Economic Progress consistently shows our province lags behind comparable societies. Closing this “ prosperity gap” lies in raising our aspirations. To do more, we have to believe we can. Then we have to invest in the people and structures to make it happen.
Ontario is making such an investment. At the same time, premiers across Canada are making post- secondary education and training a national priority. The Aug. 12 communiqué at the end of the Council of the Federation meeting in Banff placed post- secondary education first on the agenda.
This year is different because results must match the rhetoric. Post- secondary education matters when every Ontarian agrees it is worth the investment. Governing bodies of public institutions, along with university and college presidents, have always been accountable for the tax dollars they receive. But now the message has to be understood, door to door, one person at a time. We take this responsibility seriously. As the university receives full funding for each of its students, we will use those resources in ways Ontarians can see. Some initiatives will respond to longstanding concerns. At Ryerson, we will work toward smaller classes, and giving students greater access to professors. With opportunities to hire more faculty, we will expand course options and availability. We will continue to hire outstanding teachers and scholars and give students chances to work with them. Students will have more access to graduate studies, and relevant work experience with businesses and community agencies. We will invest more in libraries, information technology, and state- of the art equipment. We will prepare our students to lead the way into an innovative future. We will work with government on a fair tuition structure and better financial assistance. We will increase bursary and scholarship funds, and make awards available to more students. We will support our staff and services to benefit students and their families. Our campus improvements will inspire pride in our community. We will increasingly offer an atmosphere that will encourage sharing ideas, making friends, and challenging the status quo. We will continue to raise the standard as a place known for high expectations, safety, and respect for diversity. We will also be accountable for responding to emerging realities. We will develop programs for new Canadians, and access for those who might not have thought university was an option. We will ask for ideas, make meaningful choices and report our results. You can count on it. Sheldon Levy is president and vice-chancellor of Ryerson University.