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$39M now secured for Laurentian University campus in Barrie

$39M now secured for Laurentian University campus in Barrie

New website outlines Laurentian proposal to serve 3,100 full-time students

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June 23rd, 2014 – Laurentian University’s Board of Governors has approved a commitment of $25 million toward the proposed stand-alone university campus in the City of Barrie. This pledge represents a significant increase to Laurentian University’s 2011 commitment for the Barrie campus, and the amount would be enhanced by the $14M already committed by the City of Barrie for a standalone campus.

 

Barrie City Councillors today unanimously reaffirmed their strong support for Laurentian’s proposed Barrie campus, a 225,000 sq ft academic facility to serve 3,100 full-time equivalent students.

 

“We are pleased to see Barrie’s City Councillors reiterating their support for the Laurentian campus in Barrie,” said Laurentian University President and Vice-Chancellor, Dominic Giroux. “We have worked diligently with the City since 2010 to realize the community’s vision for a stand-alone university campus. We believe it is an exciting vision, and we are committed to its success.”

 

Laurentian will present its formal proposal for the Barrie campus in accordance with the provincial government’s Request for Proposals for Major Capacity Expansion. The province is expected to issue decisions in 2015.

 

Meanwhile, Laurentian continues talks to jointly develop 64 acres of vacant land on Essa Road that would meet the needs of a university student population in an urban campus environment. Laurentian’s Barrie campus would include facilities for athletics and recreation, residence space to house 500 to 750 students, and a student centre to be financed by ancillary fees.

 

“We feel the site is ideal for its access to downtown and to key transit links, and for its ability to serve as a focal point for Barrie’s future development,” said Craig Fowler, Associate Vice-President, Administration and External Relations for Laurentian University’s Barrie campus. “It provides room to grow, and the campus development will create an exciting new gateway to the city.”

 

Proposed programs at Laurentian’s Barrie campus would originate from five of the University’s faculties: Arts; Health; Graduate Studies; Management; Science, Engineering and Architecture. Programs in Barrie are being developed specifically for the community, with Barrie’s current and future economic growth in mind.

 

Laurentian University has been delivering programs in Barrie since 2001 in partnership with Georgian College. It now counts close to 3,000 alumni in the Barrie area, and employs approximately 70 faculty and staff. Laurentian University is also committed to a continuing positive relationship with Georgian College to plan post-secondary expansion in Barrie.

 

“We have a long history of success in our work with Georgian and five other Ontario colleges, and we share a firm commitment to access and mobility for post-secondary students who will benefit from degree studies,” said President Giroux.

 

“I believe that Barrie deserves an outstanding university campus offering four-year university degrees and graduate programs right here in our community,” said Karen Hansen, owner of Pratt Homes and member of the Board of Governors of Laurentian University. “Barrie has proudly supported major transformations in Barrie, including the expansion of the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, the Simcoe-Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre and Georgian College, which have had very positive long-term impacts. A stand-alone university campus is the next logical step.”

 

“For a city of Barrie’s size and potential, it really is a necessity to have a stand-alone university campus to fulfill the aspirations of our students,” said Laurentian University Board of Governors member Rose Adams of Adams Law in Barrie, “We are the largest metropolitan area in Canada without a university campus. So, yes, it’s time for Laurentian’s Barrie campus,” said Adams.

 

“A stand-alone Laurentian University campus will drive the creativity and innovation that Barrie needs to stimulate its long-term prosperity. Research and commercialization of discoveries in our areas of strength will help to diversify the local economy and build our future,” said Jon Babulic, outgoing member of the Board of Governors of Laurentian University, former Chief Administrative Officer of the City of Barrie and former Chair of the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre.

 

88% of first-year university registrants from Simcoe County leave the region to pursue university studies. This proportion is growing. Each year, only about 100 out of 45,000 first-year university registrants from the GTA choose a university program offered in Simcoe County.

 

“These trends speak to the fact that students from Barrie, the rest of Simcoe County and the GTA are looking for a stand-alone university campus to pursue their aspirations. They need a comprehensive range of four-year university programs, and the opportunity to develop a strong sense of belonging to their university”, said Claudette Paquin, member of the Board of Governors of Laurentian University and a former Vice-President at Cogeco Cable Canada.

 

The University has launched a new website to provide all members of the Barrie community with further details about the proposed campus: www.itstimebarrie.ca
 

MEDIA BACKGROUNDER:

LAURENTIAN BARRIE CAMPUS PROJECT

  • There are 97 universities in Canada. Barrie is Canada’s 34th largest municipality in Canada by population, yet does not have its own stand-alone university campus. Barrie is also the 21st largest census metropolitan area in Canada and the largest in Canada without a university campus.

 

  • The Province of Ontario has designated Barrie as an urban growth centre, the only one in Simcoe County.

 

  • Small to mid-size Canadian municipalities with stand-alone university campuses include Regina, Sherbrooke, Kelowna, Abbotsford-Mission, Oshawa, Kingston, St. Catharines, Trois-Rivières, Moncton, Guelph, Brantford, Saint John, Peterborough, Lethbridge, Cape Breton, Kamloops, Nanaimo, Fredericton, Prince George, Sault Ste. Marie, Charlottetown, and Rimouski.

 

  • An April 2014 economic impact study by KPMG, commissioned by Laurentian University, estimates that the initial construction phase of the Laurentian campus will generate $182 million in total economic activity in Barrie.

 

  • The KPMG study also estimates that ongoing campus operations will generate $70 million in annual total economic activity and support almost 425 employment positions per year, with increased revenues for the City of Barrie in the form of direct revenues, while indirect revenues derived from municipal taxes on student accommodations could be as much as $2.9 million annually.

 

  • Laurentian was first invited in May 2010 by then City Councillor Jeff Lehman to present to Council a vision for a Laurentian University satellite campus in downtown Barrie, with Georgian College supporting the relocation of Laurentian University programs downtown. Council supported this vision, which led Laurentian University to deem the project a top priority in its 10-year capital plan submitted to the Province in June 2010.

 

  • In 2011, Laurentian’s strategic planning consultations, involving numerous community organizations, confirmed strong support in Barrie for a stand-alone university campus.

 

  • In mid-2011, Laurentian pledged $14 million toward the project. In November 2011, City Council agreed to provide a matching contribution of $14 million to a university successful in a provincial RFP and matching this contribution from its own sources. Shortly afterward, Georgian College reaffirmed its support for Mayor Lehman and Council’s vision for a university campus in Barrie.

 

  • On June 20th, 2014, Laurentian University’s Board of Governors voted to increase Laurentian’s commitment to the Barrie campus, raising the pledge to $25 million. 

 

  • Laurentian University has already made multi-million dollar investments in the capital project, conducting community consultations and site selection, as well as market, environmental and geotechnical assessments of numerous potential sites.

 

  • Laurentian University delivers programs in partnership with six Ontario colleges, and is an acknowledged leader in facilitating the transfer of college students to degree studies, with student-centred policies on prior learning.

 

  • Since 2012, Laurentian University’s President has served as co-chair of the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT), an organization that includes all of Ontario’s 44 colleges and universities and is aimed at improving student mobility within the postsecondary education sector.

 

  • During a visit to Barrie in August 2013, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne commented that “Barrie is making a very strong case” for a university campus.

 

  • The provincial government’s Request for Proposals for Major Capacity Expansion has invited Ontario universities to lead proposals for new post-secondary capacity in the province. Outcomes in this process are expected in 2015.

Laurentian balances budget for fourth consecutive year

Laurentian balances budget for fourth consecutive year

Budget targets Strategic Plan, Graduate Expansion, Research and Barrie Campus

JUNE 20, 2014 – Laurentian University’s Board of Governors today approved a 2014-2015 operating budget of $141.2M, marking the fourth consecutive year the University has achieved a balanced budget. The Board’s unanimous approval followed a series of sixteen consultation sessions with more than 160 people from across the Laurentian community in Sudbury and Barrie. 

“As we enter the third year of our Strategic Plan, we continue to make investments to shape the future of Laurentian University,” said Laurentian University President and Vice-Chancellor Dominic Giroux. “Despite increasing funding pressures, Laurentian has sustained investments to support the University’s aspirations. We thank those who took part in the consultation process for their contributions in helping us to achieve this goal.” 

The new Faculty of Graduate Studies is part of an ambitious graduate expansion implementation plan requested by the University’s Board of Governors to meet regional needs, nearly doubling domestic graduate enrolment between 2011 and 2018. This will include an increase in Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA). Fall 2014 master’s program applications have increased by 71%. 

Upcoming faculty appointments will include new research chairs in Cancer, Occupational Health and Safety, Sustainable Northern Development, Indigenous Relations and Governance, and Histoire franco-ontarienne. 


Other budget highlights include: 

  • Budget increase of $4.3M or 3.1% over 2013; 
  • $41.9M to support strategic plan outcomes from 2012-2020; 
  • School of Architecture Phase II on track, on budget; 
  • $44.6M to modernize the Sudbury campus including a University Club, an Executive Learning Centre and an Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre (partially supported by donations from Glencore and RBC); 
  • $25M commitment, up from $14M, to open a new satellite campus in Barrie; 
  • Great Hall on Sudbury campus under renovation and scheduled to re-open in September 2014 as Fresh Food Company; 
  • Completion of the rehabilitation of the Single Student Residence on the Sudbury campus; 
  • $3.3M in additional investments to support research through 2020; 
  • Stable faculty and staff complement; 
  • New Faculty of Health, new Faculty of Education, new Faculty of Graduate Studies, new School of Environment; 
  • New master’s programs in Indigenous Relations and Sciences infirmières;
  • $536K increase to support growth in the award-winning Bharti School of Engineering. 


“Our focus has always been to deliver an outstanding student experience,” said Carol McAulay, Vice President, Administration at Laurentian. “This budget backs that commitment and keeps us on track to deliver the 40 outcomes outlined in our Strategic Plan.” 


2013-14 Accomplishments include: 

  • School of Architecture welcomed first class of 68 students in September 2013; 
  • Centre for Academic Excellence well-established and supporting both pedagogy and student success; 
  • One-stop student service model developed and implemented. Centralized physical space will be reflected in Campus modernization capital plan; 
  • New food service outlets introduced (East Bistro, Starbucks, Subway); 
  • Re-introduction of men’s varsity hockey and introduction of women’s; 
  • New website launched: www.laurentian.ca ; 
  • Faculty of Management on its way to secure two prestigious international accreditations; 
  • Average entry grade reached 81%; 
  • Sudbury Campus is 100% wireless; 
  • Certificate of Bilingualism awarded growing number of students; 
  • Nine new Indigenous faculty members; 
  • 1% of payroll allocated to departments for staff training. 

Laurentian honours former Governor-General Michaëlle Jean

Laurentian honours former Governor-General Michaëlle Jean

Jean receives Honourary Doctorate at Convocation ceremony in Barrie


May 28, 2014 – Canada’s 27th Governor-General, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean was today awarded an Honourary Doctorate (Laws) at Laurentian University’s Spring Convocation for graduates of programs in Barrie, Ontario. The Honourary Doctorate was presented by Laurentian University Chancellor Steve Paikin.

“The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean has been an extraordinary role model for many people throughout her career,” said Paikin. “She has shown exceptional courage and dedication and, always, a tremendous amount of heart. We look up to her, as do so many other Canadians.” 
Michaelle Jean

Born in Port-au-Prince, Mme Jean fled Haiti with her family in 1968 and came to Canada, settling in the community of Thetford Mines, Québec. She earned degrees in modern languages and literature at the University of Montréal, and pursued language studies at universities in Italy. She worked with organizations involved with immigration and wrote about the experiences of immigrant women in Canada. Later, she began a successful career at Radio-Canada and became one of the country’s most recognized and respected journalists. She anchored news and current affairs programs on both French- and English-language television networks, and also produced documentary films.

In 2005, Michaëlle Jean became the first Canadian of Caribbean origin to serve as Governor- General. During her term, she led 40 missions and state visits to countries around the world, and also navigated the potential constitutional crisis that ended with the prorogation of Parliament in 2008. She served in the vice-regal position until 2010, and soon after her term she was named Special Envoy to Haiti by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Mme Jean is also Founder and Co-Director of the Michaëlle Jean Foundation, a charitable organization that promotes and supports youth arts initiatives that “tranform young lives and revitalize underserved communities”  

Mme Jean is a Companion of the Order of Canada (CC) and has won numerous awards, including the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Canada Award; Prix Anik for best information reporting in Canada; and the inaugural Amnesty International Canada Journalism Award. The Assemblée internationale des parlementaires de langue française bestowed upon her the Ordre des Chevaliers de La Pléiade. She was recently conferred the Grand Cross, the highest dignity from the order of the Legion of Honour of the French Republic. In addition, the Universities Fighting World Hunger international network oversees the new Michaëlle Jean Award.

“Both in her professional life and through her commitment to public service, Mme Jean has been a truly inspirational figure to Canadians,” said Dominic Giroux, President and Vice-Chancellor Laurentian University. “We are honoured to call her a member of the Laurentian University community.”

School of Architecture Marks Grand Opening

School of Architecture Marks Grand Opening

Ontario premier says new school will create jobs, opportunities for future generations

September 4, 2013 – Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne today cut a ceremonial ribbon to officially launch the Laurentian University School of Architecture, the first school of architecture to open in Canada in 45 years.    

 

The Premier stood alongside Laurentian University President and Vice-Chancellor Dominic Giroux, Minister of State for Regional Economic Development (Northern Ontario) the Honourable Greg Rickford, and Greater Sudbury Mayor Marianne Matichuk, surrounded by members of the School’s Fall 2013 charter class.

 

“I know this program will lead so many young people here in the North to rewarding jobs and great opportunities. That is why we are proud to have given Laurentian University our support, to help nurture the talent that exists in this community and connect more people to great careers,” said Premier Kathleen Wynne.

 

Laurentian Architecture’s first cohort of 70 students will follow a curriculum informed by sustainable design practices and design that incorporates the natural environment.  In future years the School will also offer the only French-language Master of Architecture program in Canada outside Quebec.  By September 2018, the school will accommodate 400 students and more than 30 faculty and staff, in a landmark building designed by LGA Architectural Partners.

 

“Through strategic investments such as this, our Government proudly supports projects which create meaningful opportunities for young people in our region,” said Minister Rickford. "By investing in local priorities and collaborating with strong community partners like Laurentian University, our Government is delivering on its commitment to support innovative projects which spur job creation and economic growth, and lay the foundations for the long-term prosperity of Northern Ontario.”

 

“This is an exciting new era for Laurentian, for Ontario and for the architecture and design communities,” said President Dominic Giroux.  “Seventy new students of architecture are just beginning their studies and hundreds more will follow in time.   They represent the heart of a bright, creative design culture, and they will make their mark in communities here and abroad for years to come.”

 

“The Laurentian School of Architecture has already brought fresh energy and excitement to our city’s core,” said Greater Sudbury Mayor Marianne Matichuk.  “As the School grows and develops, it will support our creative industries and generate many new opportunities in our city and across the North.”

 

 

In its inaugural phase, Laurentian Architecture is housed in two renovated heritage buildings in the heart of downtown Sudbury.  The CPR Telegraph Building (1914) and the CPR Rail Shed (1905) have been refurbished and adapted to provide studio/atelier spaces, meeting rooms and offices, with some of the original design features preserved and enhanced.

 

Beginning in 2014, the second phase of the project will see new construction of 65,000 sq. ft. to incorporate the existing buildings and to add the library, lecture hall and workshop. Laurentian Architecture will also showcase the first large-scale use of Cross-Laminated Timber in a public building in Ontario, through the support of the Centre for Research in the Bio-Economy (CRIBE).

 

“Our School will be a teaching tool in itself, as well as a locus for learning through Francophone and Indigenous cultures, designing in winter cities, and the use of natural materials,” said Laurentian Architecture’s Founding Director, Dr. Terrance Galvin.  “We believe that our curricular mandate, combined with the diverse talents and interests of our faculty and of our students, will give this school a remarkable signature in the field of Canadian architecture.”

 

Ribbon cutting at School of Architecture

Michael Atkins, Blaine Nicholls, Marianne Matichuk, Greg Rickford, Kathleen Wynne, Rick Bartolucci, Steve Miller, Douglas Cardinal, Terrance Galvin, Dominic Giroux.

 

 

About Laurentian University

Laurentian University is one of the fastest growing universities in Canada in the past decade, now serving close to 10,000 students. With its main campus in Sudbury and plans for a new campus in Barrie, Laurentian offers more than 175 programs, including a growing number of programs for the 1,200 students studying in Barrie. Laurentian has the highest post-graduation employment rates in Ontario after 6 months at 92% and 95% after two years. The University receives high recognition for its enviable class sizes, having one of the lowest average class sizes in Canada.