(May 26, 2025) - Grade 12 students from Francophone high schools recently benefited from course offering in Law and Justice at Laurentian University, as part of a pilot project.
Championed by School of Liberal Arts, Associate Professor Stéphanie Martens, PhD and Full Professor Michel Giroux, PhD, the initiative enabled students in the pre-university (4U) stream to register for Introduction to Legal Studies (JURI1106) and Introduction to Criminal Law (JURI1107) courses. Eligible students were granted access to the courses at no cost, offering them valuable early exposure to postsecondary education.
Laurentian's Office of Francophone Affairs collaborated closely with the Faculty of Arts to facilitate access. Patrick Venne, Innovation and Development Specialist, helped coordinate efforts among participating high schools and school boards. "High school staff are heroes, working hard to meet the needs of their students,” he said. “This initiative is a way to give 4U students access to courses they might not otherwise be able to take.”
Upon completion of the experience, students received an official attestation from Laurentian University’s Registrar which will allow these three-credit courses to be recorded on their official transcripts following their official enrolment to the University.
The Office of Francophone Affairs, in partnership with Laurentian faculties, is exploring the possibility of replicating the project on a larger scale to allow even greater participation.
"Being a Francophone in a minority environment means we have to innovate and collaborate. We have to work hand in hand with school boards, community organizations and families in our communities. Laurentian University supports Francophones. It's not always easy, but we count ourselves lucky to be part of the precious network that is la francophonie,” added Venne.
“This was an incredible learning opportunity for our students who partook in this initiative,” said Brigitte Raymond, Orientation Counsellor from Sudbury local École secondaire Macdonald-Cartier. “Our students thoroughly enjoyed the experience that provided them a glimpse of what postsecondary life is like, better equipping them for their future academic journeys.”
This project reflects Laurentian University’s commitment to accessible, inclusive, and innovative education—particularly for Francophone learners. By bridging the gap between secondary and postsecondary education, the initiative not only empowers students but also strengthens the broader Francophone academic ecosystem in Ontario. As plans for expansion take shape, this model has the potential to become a transformative pathway for student success.