Simon Fraser University
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| Motto: Nous sommes prêts (French: "We are ready") | |
| Founded | 1965 |
| School type | Public |
| Location | Burnaby, British Columbia |
| Enrollment | 22,095 undergraduates and 3,337 graduates |
| Campus surroundings | forest, inlet, mountain, residential |
| Campus size & elevation | 1.7 km² maintained; 400 meters above sea level |
| Satellite Campuses | Downtown Vancouver and Surrey |
| Mascot | the Scottish Terrier |
| University colours | Red and Royal Blue |
Simon Fraser University (SFU) is located in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, a suburb of Vancouver, British Columbia. Its programs are organized in six faculties: Applied Sciences, Arts and Social Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Health Sciences, and Science.
It was established in 1965 as part of the post-Sputnik boom in universities. Simon Fraser University was named after Simon Fraser, explorer of the Vancouver area.
Like most Canadian universities, SFU is a public university, with 59 % of funding coming from taxpayers and 33 % coming from tuition fees.[1] (http://www.sfu.ca/mediapr/for_media/sfu_facts.html)
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Reputation
SFU has been rated as Canada's best comprehensive university five times (1993, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2000) in the annual rankings of Maclean's Magazine and has consistently placed at or near the top of the publication's national evaluations.
From its inception, SFU had a reputation for radicalness. Its first years witnessed a number of teach-ins and sit-ins that caused quite a bit of instability. Though this reputation has waned over the years, one can still occasionally hear the university and its students referred to as "the Marxists on the Hill."
The student activists in the 1960s also led a "cultural revolution" to pioneer democratic university governance in Canada. In May 1967, SFU became the first Canadian university to seat students in its Senate (Academic Governing Body).[2] (http://www.peak.sfu.ca/the-peak/98-2/issue13/aletter.html)
SFU's reputation for radical thinking led it to create academic programs that are innovative and flexible. For example, SFU is the first university in Canada to offer an Executive MBA program for working managers in 1968; SFU also offers Canada's first Liberal Studies MA program in 1991, and Public Policy MPP program in 2003.
Having one of the largest co-operative programs in Canada, SFU provides students in virtually all undergraduate and most graduate areas opportunities to explore the real world while they are still in school. The extensive exchange programs and field schools also provide students opportunities to study overseas. SFU excels in interdisciplinary studies, which allows students to maximize their academic experience.
In May 2004, the SFU Senate approved the policy on compulsory exit requirements for all its undergraduate students making SFU the first Canadian university to implement such university-wide requirements. All students must complete a selected number of writing intensive, quantitative based, and breadth courses before graduation. The goal of this new requirement is to enrich students' core competencies.[3] (http://www2.sfu.ca/ugcr/)
SFU has the highest percentage of international students in Canada at 7%, and has recently increased the cap to 10%.
Population and Famous Alumni
SFU is home to about 25,000 students: 22,095 undergraduates and 3,337 graduates.[4] (http://www.sfu.ca/mediapr/for_media/sfu_facts.html) The university has grown in recent years, and currently has an alumni population of 82,307. About 715 faculty and 1,091 staff work for the university. Teaching Assistants, Tutor Markers, Sessional Instructors, and Language Instructors at SFU are unionized. The union, The Teaching Support Staff Union (T.S.S.U.) is independent.
SFU's student union is known as the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS), which includes everyone who studies at SFU. It is a member of the Canadian Federation of Students, the largest such organization in Canada.
Locally and internationally famous alumni include Olympian Daniel Igali, photographer and former spouse of the prime minister Margaret Trudeau, and British Columbia Premiers Glen Clark, Ujjal Dosanjh and Gordon Campbell.
Terry Fox was an 18-year-old Kinesiology student and junior varsity basketball player when he was diagnosed with the bone cancer that resulted in the amputation of his leg. Fox then ran his Marathon of Hope to raise funding and awareness about cancer. In 2001, SFU awarded an honorary degree to Betty Fox, mother of Terry Fox and Honorary Chair of the Terry Fox Foundation.
Francesco Aquilini, head of the Aquilini Investment Group based in Vancouver, obtained a Business Administration degree from SFU. On November 17, 2004, Aquilini signed a deal with John McCaw, previous owner of the Vancouver Canucks and became a 50% owner of the team and the sports arena GM Place.
Honorary alumni
In 1967, SFU awarded an honorary LL.D. (doctor of laws) to Marshall McLuhan.
On April 20, 2004, SFU conferred honorary degrees upon three Nobel Peace Prize recipients: the 14th Dalai Lama, Bishop Desmond Tutu, and human rights activist Shirin Ebadi.
Some other honorary alumni include: skier Nancy Greene Raine, Milton Wong, Doris Shadbolt, and Peter Gzowski.
Facilities and location
Simon Fraser University has 3 campuses: Its main campus in Burnaby, a satellite campus in Vancouver's Downtown at Harbour Centre, and the new SFU Surrey campus. TechBC, a technical university created by the New Democratic government of British Columbia, was dismantled and given to SFU, now known as SFU Surrey. The library on the main campus is called the W. A. C. Bennett Library, named after the Social Credit Premier of B.C. who established it.
The main campus is 1.7 km² located atop Burnaby Mountain, at an elevation of 400 metres. This campus was designed by Arthur Erickson and Geoffrey Massey after the pair won a design competition in 1963. The campus is somewhat unusual architecturally in its avoidance of multistory buildings.
At present, the bulk of Burnaby Mountain is a park. Apart from SFU and associated industrial/technical park Discovery Park, there has been little development. However, the university has plans for an 810,000 square metre housing and commercial development atop the mountain. The planned name is UniverCity. The main campus was also to be the site of a world-class speed skating oval for the 2010 Winter Olympics; however the 2010 organizing committee has decided it will now be built in nearby city Richmond, British Columbia.
The university has an archeological museum and three art galleries.
SFU also works with other universities and agencies to operate joint research facilities. These include Bamfield Marine Station, a major centre for teaching and research in marine biology; TRIUMF, a powerful cyclotron used in subatomic physics and chemistry research; MITACS, headquarters of this network centre of excellence for 26 universities and 75 companies.
Research
Long known as an innovative teaching university, SFU has moved toward research excellence. The university has recently created a new faculty of health sciences, invented the world's fastest bipolar transistor, and investigated the impact of technology on the nation's health sector. Scholarly research has been recognized with prestigious awards, including Governor-General's, Grawemeyer, Guggenheim, Manning and Pulitzer awards, Canada Council Killam research fellowships, NSERC industrial chairs, and gold medals from the Science Council of BC. In 2003-04 SFU faculty won $53,574,852 in research grants and contracts, most through open competition outside the province.[5] (http://www.sfu.ca/mediapr/for_media/sfu_facts.html)
Activities and sports
The student newspaper The Peak was established soon after the university opened, and is widely circulated throughout the Lower Mainland.
The school's sports teams are called the Simon Fraser Clan, and the mascot is a Scottish Terrier. In sports and other competitions, there tends to be a strong rivalry between SFU and The University of British Columbia. SFU's Clan Athletics competes in Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) and the USA-based National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). SFU has 16 varsity sport teams and 300 athletes. Football, men's and women's basketball, women's volleyball and women's wrestling compete for CIS championships only. Men's and women's soccer, men's golf, women's softball, men's and women's swimming and diving, men's and women's cross-country and men's and women's track and field compete for NAIA championships only. Men's wrestling competes for championships of both organizations. SFU has won the NAIA NACDA Director's Cup five times, as well as other awards (http://www2.sfu.ca/athletics/). Many SFU athletes have also participated in the Olympics (http://www2.sfu.ca/athletics/). Medal winners include Daniel Igali (gold, wrestling), Jeff Thue (wrestling, silver), Sue Holloway (canoe, gold), Bob Molle (wrestling, silver), Chris Rinke (wrestling, bronze), Hugh Fisher (canoe, gold), Garry MacDonald (swimming, silver), and Bruce Roberston (swimming, silver & bronze).
The university's bagpipe band performs well in international competitions and is one of the university's most famous attractions. It has won most major titles: the World Pipe Band Championship [1995, 1996, 1999, 2001], the World Drum Corps Championship [1999, 2004], the North American Championship [1982, 2002], the 2001 Australian Pipe Band Championship.[6] (http://www.sfupipeband.com/)
SFU hosts Canada's only Management Information Systems Case Competition. [7] (http://www.sfubusiness.ca/caseit/index.htm/)
Transportation
SFU's main campus' relatively remote location has long posed a transportation problem for its student body. This situation has, however, been significantly improved by the recent expansion of Vancouver's SkyTrain rapid transit system and the introduction of a low-fare university fare card, the U-Pass. There is now a SkyTrain station at the base of the mountain. The downtown Harbour Centre campus is across from the Waterfront SkyTrain station. The SFU Surrey campus is at Central City next to the Surrey Central SkyTrain station. Most Simon Fraser students are commuters who live in the area, but residence housing facilities accommodate 1500 students, with 249 more units planned for 2005.
Residences
- New Residence
- Three 8-floor towers, tailored for first year students
- Co-ed traditional residences
- Accommodating 713 students in single rooms
- Madge Hogarth House
- Women-only traditional residences
- Accommodating 66 female students in single rooms
- Shell House
- Co-ed traditional residences
- Both private rooms and double rooms (shared) are available
- Accommodating 143 students
- McTaggart-Cowan Hall
- Co-ed traditional residences
- Accommodating 200 students in single rooms
- Townhouse Complex (quad units)
- Nine buildings each consists of eleven townhouse units
- Each unit has four bedrooms
- Accommodating 396 students
- Hamilton Hall
- Studio residences available to graduate students only
- Accommodating 104 students
- Louis Riel House
- Residences for families, couples, and single parents
- Consisting of 148 one-bedroom and 61 two-bedroom apartments
- New Residence Dining Hall
- Since New Residence and Madge Hogarth House have no kitchen facilities, students in these residences are on a required Declining Balance Meal Plan offered in the New Residence Dining Hall.
- Declining Balance Meal Plan and Voluntary Meal Plans are available to students in other residences.[8] (http://students.sfu.ca/residences/)
Governance and administration
Convocation
The Convocation is composed of all faculty members, senators, and graduates (degree holders, including honorary alumni) of the university. Its main function is to elect the Chancellor (who acts as Chair of Convocation) and four Convocation Senators. Convocation ceremonies are held annually to confer degrees (including honorary degrees) as well as award diplomas and certificates.
Board of Governors
The Board is composed of the Chancellor, the President, two student members, two faculty members, one staff member, and eight individuals appointed by the British Columbia government. Traditionally, the Board is chaired by one of the government appointees. The Board is responsible for the general management and governance of the university.
Senate
The Senate is composed of the Chancellor, the President, Vice-President, Academic, Vice-President, Research, Deans of Faculties, Dean of Graduate Studies, Dean of Continuing Studies, Associate Vice-President, Academic, University Librarian, Registrar (as Senate secretary), 14 student members, 28 faculty members, and 4 convocation members (who are not faculty members). The Senate is chaired by the President. The academic governance of the university is vested in the Senate.
Chancellor
The Chancellor is elected by and from Convocation for a three-year term, which can be renewed once. The main responsibilities of the Chancellor are to confer degrees and represent the university in formal functions.
President and Vice-Chancellor
The President and Vice-Chancellor is appointed by the Board of Governors based on a selection process jointly established by the Board of Governors and the Senate of the university. As Chief Executive Officer and Chair of Senate, the President is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the university.
Faculties, departments, and schools
Academic programs are co-ordinated and offered by faculties. Each faculty is headed by a dean. In large faculties, such as Arts and Social Sciences, academic administration is subdivided into departments and schools. Generally, traditional academic disciplines are offered by departments, whereas disciplines of applied or professional natures are offered by schools. Current faculties, departments, and schools include:
- Faculty of Applied Sciences (http://fas.sfu.ca/)
- School of Communication (http://www.sfu.ca/communication/)
- School of Computing Science (http://www.cs.sfu.ca/)
- School of Engineering Science (http://www.ensc.sfu.ca/)
- School of Kinesiology (http://fas.sfu.ca/kin/)
- School of Resource and Environmental Management (http://www.rem.sfu.ca/)
- School of Interactive Arts and Technology (http://www.siat.sfu.ca/) (see also SFU Surrey (http://www.surrey.sfu.ca/))
- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (http://www.sfu.ca/arts/)
- Department of Archaeology (http://www2.sfu.ca/archaeology)
- School for the Contemporary Arts (http://www.sfu.ca/sca/)
- School of Criminology (http://www.sfu.ca/criminology/)
- Department of Economics (http://www.sfu.ca/economics/)
- Department of English (http://www.sfu.ca/english/)
- Department of French (http://www.sfu.ca/french/)
- Department of Geography (http://www.sfu.ca/geography/)
- Department of History (http://www.sfu.ca/history/)
- Department of Humanities (http://www.sfu.ca/humanities/)
- Department of Linguistics (http://www.sfu.ca/linguistics/)
- Department of Philosophy (http://www.sfu.ca/philosophy/)
- Department of Political Science (http://www.sfu.ca/politics/)
- Department of Psychology (http://www.psyc.sfu.ca/)
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology (http://www.sfu.ca/sociology/)
- Department of Women's Studies (http://www.sfu.ca/womens-studies)
- Faculty of Business Administration (http://www.sfubusiness.ca/)
- Faculty of Education (http://www3.educ.sfu.ca/)
- Faculty of Health Sciences (http://www.fhs.sfu.ca/)
- Faculty of Science (http://www.sfu.ca/science/)
- Department of Biological Sciences (http://www.sfu.ca/biology/)
- Department of Chemistry (http://www.sfu.ca/chemistry/)
- Department of Earth Sciences (http://www.sfu.ca/earth-sciences)
- Department of Mathematics (http://www.math.sfu.ca/)
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (http://www.sfu.ca/mbb/)
- Department of Physics (http://www.sfu.ca/physics/)
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science (http://www.stat.sfu.ca/)
SFU chancellors and presidents
Chancellors:
- Dr. Gordon M. Shrum (January 1, 1964 - May 31, 1968)
- Dr. Kenneth P. Caple (June 1, 1968 - May 31, 1975)
- Dr. Jack Diamond (June 1, 1975 - May 31, 1978)
- Dr. Paul T. Cote (June 1, 1978 - June 15, 1984)
- Dr. William M. Hamilton (June 15, 1984 - May 31, 1987)
- Ms. Barbara J. Rae (June 5, 1987 - June 4, 1993)
- Dr. Joseph Segal (June 5, 1993 - June 4, 1999)
- Dr. Milton K. Wong (June 5, 1999 - Present)
Presidents and Vice-Chancellors:
- Dr. Patrick McTaggart-Cowan (January 1, 1964 - May 31, 1968)
- Dr. John F. Ellis (Temp. Acting) (June 1, 1968 - June 5, 1968)
- Prof. Archie MacPherson (June 5, 1968 - July 29, 1968)
- Dr. Kenneth Strand (Acting) (August 1, 1968 - July 31, 1969)
- Dr. Lalit Srivastava (Acting) (August 1, 1969 - September 8, 1969)
- Dr. Kenneth Strand (September 8, 1969 - August 31, 1974)
- Dr. Pauline Jewett (September 1, 1974- October 9, 1978) [On leave: October 9, 1978 - December 31, 1978]
- Dr. Daniel R. Birch (Acting) (October 19, 1978 - December 31, 1978)
- Dr. K. George Pedersen (January 1, 1979 - March 31, 1983)
- Dr. J.W. George Ivany (Acting) (April 1, 1983 - August 31, 1983)
- Dr. William G. Saywell (September 1, 1983 - March 1, 1993)
- Dr. Robert C. Brown (Acting) (March 1, 1993 - August 1, 1993)
- Dr. John O. Stubbs (August 1, 1993 - January 31, 1998) [On leave: June 9, 1997 - January 1, 1998]
- Dr. David P. Gagan (Acting) (June 9, 1997 - September 14, 1997)
- Dr. Jack P. Blaney (Pro Tem) (September 15, 1997 - January 31, 1998)
- Dr. Jack P. Blaney (February 1, 1998 - November 30, 2000)
- Dr. Michael Stevenson (December 1, 2000 - Present)[9] (http://www2.sfu.ca/pres/past_presidents.html)
External links
- Website (http://www.sfu.ca/)