Inside
November 2012
president’s message
Laurier submits proposed Strategic Mandate Agreement to province knowledge economy. Another key premise is that the province’s post-secondary system needs to be transformed. Times have changed, the paper asserts, and universities and colleges must do a better job of meeting the needs of today’s students by developing clearer pathways between colleges and universities, making greater use of technology in the education
Photo: Tomasz Adamski
The Ontario government has initiated a process aimed at bolstering the post-secondary education system in this province. In June, it issued a discussion paper called Strengthening Ontario’s Centres of Creativity, Innovation and Knowledge. As the title suggests, a central premise is that universities and colleges play a vital role in driving prosperity in the
(l-r) Laurier President Max Blouw, honorary degree recipient Darrell Bricker and Chancellor Michael-Lee Chin at fall convocation.
process, enhancing entrepreneurial and experiential learning, and improving productivity and efficiency through innovation. Along with the discussion paper, the province asked each university and college to submit a document that will start the process of establishing “strategic mandate agreements” with each institution. For this initial submission, each institution was asked to include, among other things, a statement of its proposed position (mandate) within the Ontario university system , its top three institutional priorities, and existing programs and activities that demonstrate innovation and enhanced productivity. Laurier’s submission was based on strategic and consultative initiatives previously undertaken by the university, including the Academic Plan, the Envisioning Laurier process, the Campus Master Plans, and the President’s Task Force on Multi-Campus Governance. Our proposed mandate states: “Wilfrid Laurier University will: (1) lead the province and the nation in combining the comprehensive human development of students with outstanding intellectual
development in a liberal arts tradition, and (2) lead by example in innovative and highly efficient multi-community, multi-campus delivery of academic and professional undergraduate and graduate programs within a comprehensive university context.” The priority objectives we have identified flow from this mandate: 1. Laurier will be preeminent in achieving the combined intellectual, personal and cultural development of its students. 2. Laurier’s research endeavours and partnerships will be distinguished by generating complementary outcomes of knowledge creation, community development, improvements in the modern economy and learning enrichment. 3. Laurier will be a leader in innovating high-impact and low-cost multi-community and multi-partner delivery of relevant, responsive and efficient education and research. For examples of Laurier’s innovation and productivity, we highlighted numerous activities and initiatives, including our commitment to teaching excellence, continued growth in graduate programming and research
intensity, experiential learning programs such as Co-op and Community Service-Learning, the Brantford campus, our academic partnerships with the University of Waterloo, Nipissing University, and Conestoga College, and our involvement in partnerships such as the TriUniversity Group of Libraries and the Communitech Hub. We also noted that Laurier’s proposed Milton campus plays a central role in our plans to innovate, improve productivity, and enhance student access, choice and affordability. We again asked the government for a timely decision regarding provincial funding of future satellite campuses in Ontario. I encourage you to read Laurier’s full Strategic Mandate Agreement submission, which can be found at www.wlu.ca/sma. I believe that it reflects our history and values, and that it situates us well for the future.
Max Blouw President and Vice-Chancellor
Wellness Fair promotes employee health and well-being
Photos: Mallory O’Brien
Send us your news, events & stories Email: insidelaurier@wlu.ca The Wellness Fair on the Waterloo campus featured more than 20 booths with information and demonstrations on massage, chiropractic help, blood pressure and cholesterol checks, a cooking demonstration, and health and nutrition.
InsideLaurier is published by Communications, Public Affairs & Marketing (CPAM) Wilfrid Laurier University 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3C5
InsideLaurier Volume 7, Number 3, November 2012 Editor: Stacey Morrison Contributors: Tomasz Adamski, Lori Chalmers Morrison Kevin Crowley, Sandra Muir, Mallory O’Brien, Olivia Rutt, Simon Wilson
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Deadline for submissions: November 15
Dec
Next issue of Inside December 2012