Acadia University

Motto:	In pulvere vinces ("In dust, you conquer")
Established:	1838 Queen's College established. Now Acadia University.
Type:	Public
Religious affiliation:	non-denominational initially founded by Baptists
Endowment:	$40 million
Chancellor:	Arthur Irving
President:	Ray Ivany
Staff:	211 full and 37 part-time
Students:	3000 (as of 2008)
Undergraduates:	2760
Postgraduates:	76
Location:	Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
Campus:	250 acres (1.0 km2)
Sports:	Axemen and Axewomen
Colors:	Garnet and blue
Affiliations:	AUCC, IAU, CIS, AUS, CUSID, CBIE, CUP
Website:	http://www.acadiau.ca

Acadia University is a non-denominational, predominantly undergraduate university located in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada with some graduate programs at the master's level and one at the doctoral level.

The University

Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.

Acadia University is located in the town of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, approximately 100 kilometres northwest of Halifax, Nova Scotia the provincial capital. Founded in 1838 by the Baptist Community, Acadia's beginning was the result of the commitment and enthusiasm of a community determined to build a university. The University has been shaped by their spirit of hard work and dedication to the principles that everyone should have access to university regardless of gender, race or religious affiliations - a spirit which continues to guide the university today.

In 2007, Acadia was ranked first in Maclean's Magazine (tied with Mount Allison University) for Best Overall in the Primarily Undergraduate University category. The university has emphasized a personalized education. Acadia's average class has 26 students, which helps to maintain an intimate learning environment for students.

History

University Hall at Acadia University

University Hall at Acadia University

In 1831 the Baptists founded Acadia in Horton, Nova Scotia.

Acadia University, established at Wolfville, Nova Scotia in 1838 has a strong Baptist religious affiliation. It was designed to prepare men for the ministry and to supply education for lay members. Acadia began as Horton Academy (1828), which was founded by Baptists from Nova Scotia and Queen's College (1838).

The two major Universities of the day in Nova Scotia were heavily controlled by Denominational structures. King's College (University of King's College) was an Anglican School and Dalhousie University, which was originally non-denominational, had placed itself under the control and direction of the Church of Scotland. It was the failure of Dalhousie to appoint a prominent Baptist pastor and scholar, Edmund Crawley, to the Chair of Classics, as had been expected, that really thrust into the forefront of Baptist thinking the need for a College established and run by the Baptists.

In 1838, the Nova Scotia Baptist Education Society founded Queen's College (named for Queen Victoria). The College began with 21 students in January 1839. The name "Queen's College" was denied to the Baptist school, so it was renamed "Acadia College" in 1841, in reference to the history of the area as an Acadian settlement. Acadia College awarded its first degrees in 1843 and became Acadia University in 1891, established by the Acadia University Act.

The Granville Street Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church Halifax) was an instrumental and determining factor in the founding of the University. It has played a supporting role throughout its history, and shares much of the credit for its survival and development. Many individuals who have made significant contributions to Acadia University, including the first president John Pryor, were members of the First Baptist Church Halifax congregation. Similarly, the adjacent Wolfville United Baptist Church plays a significant role in the life of the university.

The original charter of the college stated:

And be it further enacted, that no religious tests or subscriptions shall be required of the Professors Fellows, Scholars, Graduates or Officers of the said College; but that all the privileges and advantages thereof shall be open and free to all and every Person and Persons whomsoever, without regard to religious persuasion... And it shall and may be lawful for the trustees and Governors of the said College to select as Professors, and other Teaches or Officers, competent persons of any religious persuasion whatever, provided such person or persons shall be of moral and religious character.

This was unique at the time, and a direct result of Baptists being denied entry into other schools that required religious tests of their students and staff.

Clara Belle Marshall, from Mount Hanley, Nova Scotia, became the first woman to graduate from Acadia University in 1879.

In 1966, the Baptist denomination relinquished direct control over the University. The denomination maintains nine seats on the University's Board of Governors.

On January 4, 2008, Dr. Gail Dinter-Gottlieb decided to step down as President and Vice Chancellor of the University before her term expired. Her resignation was effective February 29, 2008. Dr. Tom Herman is currently acting President and Vice-Chancellor, with [Ray Ivany] slated to assume the role on 1 April 2009.

Faculty Strikes

The faculty of Acadia University have been on strike twice in the history of the institution. The first was February 24 to March 12, 2004. The second was October 15 to November 5, 2007. The second strike was resolved after the province's labour minister, the Mark Parent, appointed a mediator, on November 1, to facilitate an agreement.

Academics

Profile

As a primarily undergraduate institution, the university places significant importance on teaching and instruction.

The mission of Acadia University is to provide a personalized and rigorous liberal education; promote a robust and respectful scholarly community; and inspire a diversity of students to become critical thinkers, lifelong learners, engaged citizens, and responsible global leaders.

Faculties

Acadia is organized into four faculties: Arts, Pure & Applied Science, Professional Studies and Theology. Each faculty is further divided into departments and schools specialized in areas of teaching and research. The Division of Research & Graduate Studies is separate from the faculties and oversees graduate students as well as Acadia's research programs.

The Acadia Advantage

In 1996, Acadia University pioneered the use of mobile computing technology in a post-secondary educational environment. This academic initiative integrated the use of notebook computers into the undergraduate curriculum and featured innovations in teaching. By 2000, all full-time, undergraduate Acadia students were taking part in the Acadia Advantage. The initiative went beyond leasing notebook computers to students during the academic year, and included training, user support and the use of course-specific applications at Acadia that revolutionized learning at the Wolfville, N.S. campus and beyond.

Because of its pioneering efforts, Acadia is a laureate of Washington’s Smithsonian Institution and a part of the permanent research collection of the National Museum of American History. It is the only Canadian university selected for inclusion in the Education and Academia category of the Computerworld Smithsonian Award.

In addition, Acadia University received the Pioneer Award for Ubiquitous Computing. In 2001, it achieved high rankings in the annual Maclean's University Rankings, including Best Overall for Primarily Undergraduate University in their opinion survey, and it received the Canadian Information Productivity Award in 1997 as it was praised as the first university in Canada to fully utilize information technology in the undergraduate curriculum.

Canadian opinion leaders consistently place Acadia ahead of all other primarily undergraduate universities in the annual Maclean’s Magazine survey of post-secondary education. In fact, Acadia is the only university to have placed first in all four reputational categories: best overall, highest quality, most innovative, and leaders of tomorrow.

In October 2006, Dr. Dinter-Gottlieb established a commission to review the Acadia Advantage learning environment 10 years after inception. The mandate of the commission was to determine how well the current Advantage program meets the needs of students, faculty, and staff and to examine how the role of technology in the postsecondary environment has changed at Acadia, and elsewhere. The commission was asked to recommend changes and enhancements to the Acadia Advantage that would benefit the entire university community and ensure its sustainability.

Some of the recommendations coming from the Acadia Advantage Renewal Report included developing a choice of model specifications and moving from Acadia-issued, student-leased notebook computers to a student-owned computer model. The compelling rationale for this was the integral role technology now plays in our lives, which was not present in 1996.

The University was also advised to unbundle its tuition structure so that the cost of an Acadia education is more detailed and students can understand how their investment in the future is allotted. Acadia acted on this recommendation in 2007.

In September 2008, Acadia moved to a student-owned notebook computer version of the Acadia Advantage, now named Acadia Advantage 2.0.

Athletics

Acadia's sports teams are called the Axemen and Axewomen. They participate in the Atlantic University Sports conference of Canadian Interuniversity Sport.

School spirit abounds with men’s and women’s varsity teams that have delivered more conference and national championships than any other institution in Atlantic University Sport. Routinely, more than one-third of Acadia’s varsity athletes also achieve Academic All-Canadian designation through Canadian Interuniversity Sport by maintaining a minimum average of 80 per cent.

Expansion and modernization of Raymond Field was completed in the fall of 2007 and features the installation of an eight-lane all-weather running track and a move to the same premium artificial turf used by the New England Patriots of the National Football League for its main playing field. The Raymond Field modernization was a gift to the university by friends, alumni, and the province. War Memorial Gymnasium also saw the installation of a new playing floor to benefit its basketball and volleyball teams.

In September 2006, Acadia University announced its partnership with the Wolfville Tritons Swim Club and the Acadia Masters Swim Club to form the Acadia Swim Club and return competitive swimming to the university after a 14 year hiatus. On September 26, 2008, the university announced its intention to return swimming to a varsity status in September 2009.

Fight Song

Notable among a number of songs commonly played and sung at various events such as commencement, convocation, and athletic games are: Stand Up and Cheer, the Acadia University fight song. According to 'Songs of Acadia College' (Wolfville, NS 1902-3, 1907), the songs include: 'Acadia Centennial Song' (1938); 'The Acadia Clan Song'; 'Alma Mater - Acadia;' 'Alma Mater Acadia' (1938) and 'Alma Mater Song.

Symbols

In 1974, Acadia was granted a coat of arms designed by the College of Arms in London, England. The coat of arms is two-tone, with the school's official colours, garnet and blue, on the shield. The axes represent the school's origins in a rural setting, and the determination of its founders who cleared the land and built the school on donated items and labour. The open books represent the intellectual pursuits of a university, and the wolves heads are a whimsical representation of the University's location in Wolfville. "In pulvere vinces" (In dust you conquer) is the motto.

The University seal depicts the Greek goddess of wisdom Athena in front of the first college hall.

The University also uses a stylized "A" as a logo for its sports teams.

Notable among a number of fight songs commonly played and sung at various events such as commencement, convocation, and athletic games are: the Acadia University alma mater set to the tune of "Annie Lisle". The lyrics are:

Far above the dykes of Fundy

And its basin blue

Stands our noble alma mater

Glorious to view

Lift the chorus

Speed it onward

Sing it loud and free

Hail to thee our alma mater

Acadia, hail to thee

Far above the busy highway

And the sleepy town

Raised against the arch of heaven

Looks she proudly down

Buildings

Carnegie Hall, built in 1909, is a large, two-storey, Neo-classical brick building on the Registry of Historic Places of Canada Acadia Seminary, built in 1879, is on the Registry of Historic Places of Canada.

Student life

At Acadia University, students have access to the Student Union Building which serves as a hub for students and houses many Student Union organizations. The building also houses The Axe Lounge, a convenience store, an information desk and two food outlets. The university press, The Athenaeum, is a member of CUP.

Student Government

All students are represented by the Acadia Students' Union and the Union President for the 2009-2010 academic year is Jon Cottreau. The student newspaper is The Athenaeum

Residences

Approximately 1100 students live on-campus in 12 residences:^{[citation needed]}

• Chase Court
• Cutten House (Currently closed for renovations)
• Roy Jodrey Hall
• Eaton House
• Christofor Hall
• Chipman House
• Dennis House - First floor houses student health services
• Whitman Hall (Tully) - All female residence
• Seminary House - Houses the School of Education
• War Memorial (Barrax) House
• Raymond House (French House)
• Crowell Tower (13 story high-rise)

University of Queensland

Latin: Universitas Terra Reginae
Motto:	Scientia ac Labore "By means of knowledge and hard work"
Established:	10 December 1909
Type:	Public
Chancellor:	Mr. John Story
Vice-Chancellor:	Professor Paul Greenfield
Faculty:	5,814 (2008)
Students:	38,050 (2008)
Undergraduates:	27,381 (2008)
Postgraduates:	9979 (2008)
Location:	Brisbane, Australia 27°29′52″S 153°00′46″E / 27.49778°S 153.01278°E / -27.49778; 153.01278Coordinates: 27°29′52″S 153°00′46″E / 27.49778°S 153.01278°E / -27.49778; 153.01278 (Main St Lucia Campus)
Campus:	Urban
Affiliations:	Group of Eight, Universitas 21, ASAIHL
Website:	www.uq.edu.au

The University of Queensland (UQ) is one of Australia's premier learning and research institutions. The University is a founding member of the national Group of Eight, an alliance of research-strong, mostly "Sandstone universities" committed to ensuring that Australia has higher education institutions which are genuinely world class. It belongs also to the global Universitas 21 alliance. This group aims to enhance the quality of university outcomes through international benchmarking and a joint venture e-learning project with The Thomson Corporation.

UQ is Queensland's foremost university. In 1998–99 it was named Australia's University of the Year and it continues to enjoy the highest overall rating for Queensland universities in the annual Good Universities Guide.

UQ remains the most successful Australian university in winning and being shortlisted for Australian Awards for University Teaching since they were established in 1997. On a variety of measures it is one of the top three research universities in the country.

UQ's strength in research is evident in the many joint and collaborative research centres associated with the university. The Queensland Bioscience Precinct on the St Lucia campus houses scientists from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the Institute for Molecular Bioscience(IMB), the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology(AIBN) and the Queensland Brain Institute to form one of the largest biomedical research clusters in Australia.^[5] In addition, UQ is involved in biomedical translational research at the Diamantina Institute for Cancer, Immunology and Metabolic Medicine (DI) Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence (PACE) and The University of Queensland Centre of Clinical Research (UQCCR).

Rankings

According to The Times Higher-QS World University Rankings 2007, UQ is the only Queensland university in the top 50 (ranked 33rd along with the National University of Singapore), and one of only nine Australian universities in the top 200. UQ moved from being the sixth-ranked Australian university in the 2006 world rankings to become the fourth-ranked Australian university in 2007. In 2008 the university was ranked 43rd, behind University of Melbourne (38), University of Sydney (37) and Australian National University (16).

The Shanghai Jiao Tong University's Academic Ranking of World Universities also placed UQ among the top five Australian universities. UQ was also listed at number 91 in a 2006 Newsweek ranking of the world's top 100 universities, placing seventh among Australian universities after the Australian National University, University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, Monash University and University of Western Australia.^[8] These six higher ranking institutions together with UQ and the University of Adelaide also form the Group of Eight consortium, which consists of the top eight Australian research universities.

The University was independently ranked as one of Australia's best universities in the 2007 edition of The Good Universities Guide; receiving a maximum five-star rating in six key performance indicators. These include student demand, positive graduate outcomes (reflecting both graduate employment and going on to further study), staff qualifications, research grants, research intensivity and toughness to get in (specifically for the St Lucia campus).

Campus and Setting

The Forgan Smith Building and the Great Court

St Lucia Campus

UQ was established on 10 December 1909, with Sir William MacGregor as first chancellor (with Reginald Heber Roe as vice-chancellor) and was originally situated in Brisbane's downtown area on George Street.^[11] In 1927, the land on which the St Lucia campus is built was resumed by the Brisbane City Council using money donated by James O'Neil Mayne and his sister Mary Emelia Mayne to replace the less spacious city campus. The city campus is now home to the Gardens Point campus of the Queensland University of Technology. Construction of the new university began at St Lucia in 1937.^[11]

The University has its main campus in the suburb of St Lucia in Brisbane. Its other campuses include Ipswich, Gatton, Herston, South Brisbane, Turbot Street and Moggill.

Situated on a peninsula of the Brisbane River, the university is reachable by road, CityCat ferry, or bus and is seven kilometres from Brisbane's city centre. At its centre is the heritage-listed Great Court — a 2.5 hectare open area surrounded by sandstone buildings with distinctive gargoyles, figures of great academics and historic scenes, floral and faunal motifs and crests of universities and colleges from around the world.^[11] This central semi-circular quadrangle features a connected arcade so students could reach any section under cover.

The large campus of 274 acres (1.1 km²) also includes sporting fields, gardens, duckponds, and cycling tracks. The athletics centre features 21 floodlit tennis courts and Olympic-standard swimming pool, a three-level gymnasium and a multi-purpose indoor centre.

The university is served by a CityCat wharf, two bus stations and is also served by the Eleanor Schonell Bridge providing pedestrian and bus access across the river to Dutton Park.

2009 sees the opening of the AU$2.5 Million Advanced Concepts Teaching Space (ACTS), which boasts a unprecedeted level of technology in a lecture theatre. It includes individual touch screens, connections for iPods and wireless recognition for lecturers. Set across three levels, the space accommodates 100 students and maximises classroom communication through high-resolution touch screens for instant feedback, as well as links to students' own portable devices such as iPods, mobile phones and laptops to allow students to share work and actively participate in lectures. From the podium, a single touch will be enough to launch an instant poll on the student touch screens or to launch translation software that can render a PowerPoint file in six different languages.

Gatton Campus

Located in Gatton, Queensland about 90km west of Brisbane on the Warrego Highway, UQ Gatton is home to the university's Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science (NRAVS). UQ Gatton, formerly the Queensland Agricultural College, was opened in 1897 as a combined agricultural college and experimental farm. The QAC amalgamated with UQ in 1990. UQ Gatton is serviced by the UQ Gatton Student Association and remains affiliated with the UQ Student Union.

UQ Gatton offers courses in agriculture, animal science, environmental management, agronomy/agribusiness, equine studies, wildlife and bushland studies and other fields relating to natural and rural environments. Its facilities include over 1000 hectares of agricultural land, extensive and intensive animal production operations, a recently redeveloped equine centre, and facilities for wildlife studies, as well as modern teaching facilities and laboratories, and a branch of the UQ Library. Some of the original QAC buildings are still standing, such as the Foundation Building.

Ipswich Campus

The Ipswich campus, opened in 1999, after State and Federal government backing is the newest campus, made up of nearly 20 buildings and more than 4000 students on nearly 25ha. Courses offered include: arts, business and social sciences as well as Interaction design. In 2009, a cohort of 39 students became the pioneers to undertake medicine at the Ipswich campus.

It is located near central Ipswich, Queensland, just south of the CBD. Nearby landmarks include Limestone Park, The Workshops Railway Museum and the RAAF Base Amberley. The actual site surrounds the Ipswich Showgrounds and is in turn, sided by a golf course.

The site dates back to 1878 with the opening of the Ipswich branch of the Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum. Operations continued until 1910 when it became the Ipswich Hospital for the Insane. In 1938 it was renamed the Ipswich Mental Hospital and in 1964 it was renamed again as the Ipswich Special Hospital. It was finally named the Challinor Centre in 1968 in honour of Dr. Henry Challinor, the ships surgeon on the Fortitude. From 1968 to 1997 the Challinor Centre served as an institution for people with intellectual disabilities. In late 1997 the Challinor Centre began its first stage of transformation as the new UQ Ipswich campus.

This history is reflected today with 17 heritage listed buildings that have been refurbished into work spaces, computer laboratories and public spaces. Work is still underway refurbishing more buildings.

Other Facilities

The University of Queensland takes advantage of research and education facilities not attached directly to the three campuses. These locations are primarily for research which cannot be undertaken in the campus locales but also represent buildings which established pre-eminence in education before the creation of the current campuses.

• Turbot Street — Turbot Street is the University's dentistry education facility. It comprises two large buildings and one small building at the junction of Turbot and Albert Streets in the Brisbane inner city area. The older of the two larger buildings is the former Brisbane College of Dentistry which is connected via a second-storey walkway to the newer building.
• UQ Regiment Indooroopilly — A counterpart to the St Lucia Campus's Regiment in Indooroopilly.
• Herston — Situated next to the hospital complex at Herston, UQ's School of Medicine occupies the Mayne Medical Building. The location also accommodates UQ teaching facilities in and around the hospitals. The Queensland Institute of Medical Research also holds strong links to UQ.
• Pinjarra Aquatic Research Station — On Moggill and Pinjarra Roads in Pinjarra Hills, Brisbane. The Aquatic Research Station investigates aquaculture and inland ecology.
• Heron Island Research Station — Situated on Heron Island, 72km north-east of Gladstone, Queensland. Its primary use if for coral reef ecology research and teaching. It consists of over thirty buildings situated on a two hectare lease.
• Moreton Bay Research Station and Study Centre — located on North Stradbroke Island, Moreton Bay Research Station provides the perfect base to research North Stradbroke Island's many and varied ecosystems. The station is used for the many field trips especially for introductory marine environment subjects.

Academia

In 2004 The University of Queensland had more than 38,000 students enrolled with 6,396 of these international students. The University of Queensland has won more Australian Awards for University Teaching than any other university.^{[citation needed]} It is also noted for developing the HyShot Ramjet Rocket and pioneering a vaccine for cervical cancer (Research led by 2006 Australian of the Year, Professor Ian Frazer).

Mr John Story was appointed Chancellor of The University of Queensland in February 2009, and the Deputy Chancellor is The Hon. Justice Margaret White. The Chancellor and Deputy Chancellor are elected by the University Senate. The Vice-Chancellor of the University (effectively the chief executive officer) is appointed by the Senate and the office is held by Professor Paul Greenfield. The post was held by Professor John A. Hay until 31 December 2007.

Research Centres

Notable research centres include:

• Co-operative Research Centre for Enterprise Distributed Systems Technology
• NICTA — national information and communication technology research centre, co-supported by University of Queensland
• Aboriginal Environments Research Centre, within the School of Architecture.
• QBI - Queensland Brain Institute

Notable alumni

• Quentin Bryce (born 1942), 25th. (and as of 2009^[update], the current) Governor-General of Australia
• Peter Doherty (born 1940), Nobel Prize winner
• Nick Earls (born 1963), novelist
• Janet Fielding (born 1957), actress
• Ken Ham (born 1951), young-Earth creationist
• Bill Hayden (born 1933), 21st Governor-General of Australia
• Geoffrey Rush (born 1951), actor
• Peter Beattie (born 1952), 36th Premier of Queensland

Student Union

The UQ Union is the incorporated representative body of the students at the University. It provides services to students including representation to University and faculty committees, refectories and other catering services, a legal service, financial assistance, administrative counseling and campus activities.

Organisational Structure

Steele Building, University of Queensland

Forgan Smith Building, University of Queensland

Construction of the Forgan Smith Building, 1940

The University is organised into Faculties, Schools and Departments/Divisions.

• Faculty of Arts (ARTS)
  • School of English, Media Studies & Art History (EMSAH)
  • School of History, Philosophy, Religion & Classics (HPRC)
  • School of Languages & Comparative Cultural Studies (SLCCS)
  • School of Music
• Faculty of Science (Science)
  • School of Biomedical Sciences (SBMS)
    • Department of Anatomy & Developmental Biology
    • Department of Physiology & Pharmacology
  • School of Biology (SIB)
    • Department of Botany
    • Department of Zoology and Entomology
  • School of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences (SCMS)
    • Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
    • Department of Chemistry
    • Department of Microbiology & Parasitology
  • School of Mathematics and Physics
    • Department of Mathematics
    • Department of Physics
  • School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management (GPEM)
  • School of Earth Sciences
• Faculty of Business, Economics & Law (BEL)
  • School of Economics
  • School of Tourism
  • TC Beirne School of Law
  • UQ Business School
• The Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology (EAIT)
  • School of Engineering (SOE)
    • Division of Chemical Engineering
    • Division of Civil Engineering
    • Division of Environmental Engineering
    • Division of Materials
    • Division of Mechanical Engineering
    • Division of Mechanical and Aeropace Engineering
    • Division of Mining and Minerals Process Engineering
    • Division of Mechatronic Engineering
  • School of Architecture
  • School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (ITEE)
    • Department of Electrical Engineering (EE)
    • Department of Systems Engineering
    • Department of Biomedical Engineering
    • Department of Computer Science
• Faculty of Health Sciences (HEALTH)
  • School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS)
  • School of Human Movement Studies
  • School of Dentistry
  • School of Medicine (SoM)
  • School of Nursing and Midwifery
  • School of Pharmacy
  • School of Population Health
• Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture & Veterinary Science (NRAVS)
  • School of Animal Studies
  • School of Land, Crop and Food Sciences (LCAFS)
  • School of Natural & Rural Systems Management (NRSM)
  • School of Veterinary Science
• Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences (SBS)
  • School of Education
  • School of Journalism & Communication
  • School of Political Science & International Studies (POLSIS)
  • School of Psychology
  • School of Social Science
  • School of Social Work & Applied Human Sciences

Griffith University

Established:	1971
Type:	Public
Chancellor:	Leneen Forde
Vice-Chancellor:	Ian O'Connor
Deputy V-C:	Lesley Johnson ; John Dewar (academic)
Staff:	3,500 FTE
Students:	Over 37,000
Undergraduates:	31,000
Postgraduates:	6,000
Location:	Gold Coast and Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Affiliations:	ASAIHL
Website:	http://www.griffith.edu.au/

Griffith University is a public university based on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane, Australia. The total enrolment is 31,000 undergraduate students and 6000 postgraduate students. Griffith has a large range of learning areas, including Arts, Business, Law, Health, and Music.

History

The university was formally founded in 1971 and opened its doors in 1975 to 451 students in four schools: Australian Environmental Studies, Humanities, Modern Asian Studies and Science. The University started with its Nathan campus, and several of its campuses are distinctive for their nature based settings within large urban agglomerations. The clusters of buildings, sports facilities, bushland reserves and recreational areas are connected by integrated networks of walking paths. The university was distinguished by its 'problem-based' rather than disciplinary approach to course design and research. The university now has a full suite of programs including arts, education, medicine, dentistry, engineering, business, science, and law.

The University is named after the former Premier of Queensland, and High Court of Australia judge, Sir Samuel Griffith, who was also the principal author of the Australian constitution.

Academic Structure

Arts, Education and Law

• School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
• School of Humanities
• School of Languages and Linguistics
• Griffith Film School
• Queensland College of Art
• Queensland Conservatorium
• School of Education and Professional Studies (Brisbane, Logan)
• School of Education and Professional Studies (Gold Coast)
• Griffith Law School

Business

• Griffith Business School
• Centre for Financial Independence and Education

Griffith Business School received the most prestigious international accreditation for business school AACSB in 2008 . Griffith University become part of an elite group that makes up less than 5 percent of the world’s business schools that have earned business and/or accounting accreditation. The newest accreditations raise the total number of institutions that maintain specialized AACSB accreditation for their business schools to 559, with 460 based in the United States and 99 based outside of the United States.

Science, Environment, Engineering and Technology

• School of Biomolecular and Physical Sciences
• Griffith School of Engineering
• School of Information and Communication Technology
• Griffith School of Environment

Health

• School of Medicine
• School of Pharmacy
• School of Dentistry and Oral Health
• School of Anatomy
• School of Human Services
• School of Medical Science
• School of Nursing and Midwifery
• School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science
• School of Psychology
• School of Public Health
• School of Applied Science

Campuses

Griffith University has campuses located at the Gold Coast and Nathan, Mt Gravatt and Logan in the outer suburbs of Brisbane and the Queensland Conservatorium in Inner Brisbane. Mt Gravatt campus is also home to the Queensland Institute of Business and Technology. The Nathan Campus was designed by prominent Australian architect Robin Gibson and was the founding campus of the University. The university has a campus on High Street, Southport specifically designed and built for Oral Health and Medicine students called the "Centre for Medicine and Oral Health". It contains lecture theatres, cadaver labs, pathology labs and a dental clinic which serves the public. Building has commenced for a new University Hospital at the Gold Coast campus, which is due to open in Dec 2012 and will replace most functions of the Centre for Medicine and Oral Health.

Sporting, social and cultural

Griffith University has a wide array of cultural, intellectual, sporting and social groups. Its Student Guild is an organisation within the university which takes care of these clubs, as well as student issues, accommodation, employment, publication, events, sport and recreation.

Established in 1981, the Griffith University Aikido Club was one of the first aikido dojos established in Brisbane . Today it is active at Nathan, Logan and South Brisbane and has more than 100 members. The Griffith University Rugby Union Club, established by Phil Verheijen in 2002, were runners up in the Northern University Games in 2005 and are consistently ranked in the top 6 at Australian University Games. Past captains include Nick Hurrell (2006), who is now an international rugby representative of Hong Kong.

The Griffith University Australian Football Club (GUAFC) is an Australian rules football club formed in 2001, competing in the AFLQ State Association. The Griffith University Gladiators finished runners up in two of their first five seasons in the AFLSQ. The club plays out of Griffith's Nathan Campus, which features one of Queensland's leading amateur Australian football grounds with state-of-the-art playing lights and club rooms.^{[citation needed]}

Student Union and representation

Griffith University students are uniquely represented by two statutory embedded student organisations. The Griffith University Student Representative Council (GUSRC) represents undergraduate students and the Griffith University Postgraduate Students Association (GUPSA) represents post-graduate students in all campuses apart from the Gold Coast. GUPSA is a constituent member of the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations. Unique to the Gold Coast is the Student Guild (GUSG) which represents all students from this campus and holds an administrative structure that is apparently independent to the university.

Notable alumni

• Andrew Fraser, Queensland Treasurer
• Steven Bradbury, Olympic Gold medal winning speed skater
• Sara Carrigan, Olympic Gold medal winning cyclist
• Peta-Kaye Croft, Member of Queensland Legislative Assembly
• Shannon Eckstein, 2002 world champion Ironman
• Justine Elliot, Federal Member for Richmond
• Gary Hardgrave, former Federal Member for Moreton (1996-2007)
• Jeong Ryeo-won, Korean Singer/Actress
• Libby Lenton, Olympic gold medal winning swimmer
• Brett Mason, Senator for Queensland
• Julie Owens, Federal Member for Parramatta (Queensland Conservatorium of Music)
• Rajnesh Singh, engineer and entrepreneur
• Karen Tso, television journalist
• Ross Vasta, former Federal Member for Division of Bonner (2004-2007)
• Barbara Vernon, birth activist
• David Vernon, writer
• Robert Warren, musician
• Lucy Decoutere, ex-Actress

Australian Catholic University

Latin: Australiana Catholica Universitas
Motto:	Qualify for life
Established:	1991
Type:	public
Chancellor:	Brother Julian McDonald CFC AO
Vice-Chancellor:	Professor Greg Craven
Faculty:	911
Undergraduates:	9,351
Postgraduates:	3,681
Location:	Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Ballarat, and Melbourne, various states, Australia
Campus:	Urban, Suburban, Rural
Affiliations:	Australian Vice-Chancellors Committee, Association of Commonwealth Universities, International Federation of Catholic Universities, New Generation Universities
Website:	www.acu.edu.au

Australian Catholic University, or ACU National, is Australia's only public Catholic university. It has more than 13,000 students and 900 staff on six campuses located in three states and the Australian Capital Territory. ACU National, which is open to all staff and students regardless of their religious beliefs, is affiliated with the Association of Commonwealth Universities and the International Federation of Catholic Universities. Western Australian academic Greg Craven became the Vice Chancellor at the start of 2008.

The University was formed in 1991 by the amalgamation of four Catholic institutes of higher education in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory. ACU National and its predecessor institutions have played an important role in Australia by training many teachers and nurses employed in the public, Catholic and other health systems.

The university's Mission aims to add a "spiritual dimension" to higher education in Australia, similar to the aims of the great Catholic universities of Europe and North America. There is a strong social justice element in the university's Mission and programs.

History

The Catholic schooling system in Australia developed in parallel with the state education systems in the 19th century. Australian Catholics, predominantly of Irish descent, wanted to educate their children in their faith in a country where Protestants were in the ascendancy. When state aid was stopped to Catholic schools in the late 19th century, the Catholic bishops sent for Irish brothers and nuns to staff their schools. Until the mid-20th century, the majority of teachers in Australian Catholic schools were members of religious orders, including the Christian Brothers, Sisters of Mercy, Dominicans and Marist Brothers.

The predecessors of ACU National were established as religious institutes to train Australian youth for religious life and to staff Catholic schools and hospitals. The first of these was established in 1850, a year before Australia's first university, the University of Sydney. In the mid-20th century, these colleges began to admit lay students, and the Catholic Teacher Training Colleges were established from the former religious institutes. By the 1980s, these were known as Colleges of Advanced Education (CAEs).

The Dawkins Reforms of the late 1980s and a desire of the Federal government to deal with one Catholic institution led to the merger of these former CAEs to become the Australian Catholic University. More than 20 historical entities shaped the creation of the university. The four institutions that amalgamated to become ACU National were the Catholic College of Education Sydney in New South Wales, the Institute of Catholic Education in Victoria, McAuley College of Queensland, and Signadou College of Education in the Australian Capital Territory.

Australian Catholic University opened its doors on 1 January 1991. Originally there were eight campuses; the merger of the two Melbourne campuses Mercy at Ascot Vale and Christ at Oakleigh led to the creation of the Melbourne Campus (St Patrick's) in Fitzroy. There were formerly three campuses in Sydney. The Castle Hill campus was closed and staff and students moved to Strathfield and North Sydney. In 2003, the McAuley campus moved from the Brisbane suburb of Mitchelton to larger accommodations in the suburb of Banyo.

ACU National was adopted as the acronym of the University in 2001 to distinguish it from other bodies using 'ACU' and to emphasise its unique position as a national Australian University.

Organisational structure

ACU National is established in Victoria as a company, the Australian Catholic University Limited. The president of the company is the Archbishop of Sydney, currently George Cardinal Pell. The acts recognising the university are the Australian Catholic University Act 1991 in Victoria, the Australian Catholic University Act 1990 in NSW and the Australian Catholic University Act 2006 in Queensland. Members of the Senate of ACU National are directors of Australian Catholic University Limited. Their fiduciary powers requires them to act in the best interests of the university.

The Senate consists of the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor who are members ex-officio, the Pro-Chancellor, eight community members, three members of the academic staff, one member of the general staff, and one student. The Senate is the governing body of the university. The Academic Board's role is to administer and implement academic policies. Each state and territory has a chapter composed of community members and whose role is to advise on issues which affect their local communities.

The chief executive officer of the university is the Vice-Chancellor. There are three Pro-Vice-Chancellors, one in each state and individually responsible for Research and International, Quality and Outreach, and Academic Affairs. The Canberra and Ballarat campuses have a Rector who, like the Pro-Vice-Chancellors, is the Vice-Chancellor's representative on the campus. The Vice-Chancellor, a member of the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee, is based at North Sydney.

Campuses

ACU National currently has six campuses, located in Brisbane, Sydney (2), Canberra, Ballarat and Melbourne.

Brisbane

The Brisbane Campus (McAuley at Banyo) is located in the capital city of Queensland and is the third largest of the university's campuses. The campus is in the suburban area of Banyo, which is approximately 12 kilometres from the centre of Brisbane. The 40 hectare campus was formerly the home of the Pius XII seminary, which dates back to 1863. The Brisbane campus offers programs in arts, business, education, information systems, nursing, psychology, social science, theology and social work.

The former campus at McAuley was established in 1955 as McAuley College by the Sisters of Mercy to train their sisters as Catholic school teachers. They later admitted sisters from other orders, and in 1973 admitted lay students. McAuley became part of ACU National at the end of 1990 and relocated to its present site in 2003. It is now known as McAuley at Banyo.

North Sydney

The North Sydney (MacKillop) Campus is one of two ACU National campuses located in Sydney, Australia's largest city. The campus is in a city location in Sydney's second CBD, located on the northern side of Sydney Harbour. North Sydney is also home to the university's Vice-Chancellry and administration offices. The courses offered at the North Sydney campus are nursing, environmental science, business and informatics.

The campus is named for Mary MacKillop, founder of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart in South Australia in 1866. The campus was established by the Sisters in 1913 and lay students were admitted in 1958. In 1971 the college became the Catholic Teachers' College and was amalgamated into the Catholic College of Education, Sydney in 1982.

Strathfield

The Strathfield (Mount St. Mary) Campus is located 13 kilometres from the city centre of Sydney. It is the second largest campus in the university. The Strathfield campus offers programs in arts, education, exercise science, social work and theology.

The property was originally known as Mt. Royal and was once the home of Australia's fourth Prime Minister, Sir George Reid, before being purchased by the Christian Brothers in 1908. The Brothers originally used the site as a provincial headquarters and as a centre for trainee Brothers known as Mount Saint Mary College. The adjacent St Patrick's College was established by the Brothers in 1928, in part as a training school. Lay male students were admitted in the 1970s and female students were admitted in the 1980s. In 1982, as a requirement of the Federal government, Mount Saint Mary College amalgamated with other institutions to form the Catholic College of Education, Sydney.

Canberra

The Canberra Campus (Signadou), one of the two smaller campuses of the university, is located in the Canberra suburb of Watson, which is five kilometres from the Canberra Central Business District. The Canberra campus offers programs in arts, education, theology, nursing and a joint program in social work and arts with Australian National University.

The Dominican Sisters' Teacher Training College was established in Maitland in 1926 and relocated to Sydney after the Hunter Valley floods of 1955. In 1963 the Dominicans established Signadou College and admitted sisters from other orders.

Ballarat

The Ballarat (Aquinas) Campus, in the regional Victorian city of Ballarat, is ACU National's only campus not located in a capital city. Programs offered include nursing, teaching and theology.

The campus dates its history back to the establishment of the Aquinas Training College in 1909 by the Ballarat East Sisters of Mercy. Then known as Sacred Heart Training College, in the 1960s the college moved to another location in Ballarat. In 1974, the Catholic Teachers' College of the Diocese of Ballarat moved to the university's present site and was known as Aquinas College. The campus includes a two-story mansion built in 1881, Carn Brea, an example of the properties built in the town from profits of the Victorian Gold Rush of the mid-1800s.

Melbourne

The Melbourne (St. Patrick's) Campus is located in the inner-city suburb of Fitzroy and is the largest campus of the university. A relatively new campus, having opened in 2000, it features a mix of modern and heritage buildings. The campus' main building is located at 115 Victoria Parade, and was formerly occupied by the Reserve Bank of Australia. The campus also includes Central Hall, which played a prominent role in the live music scene of the late 1960s and early '70s (also see T. F. Much Ballroom).

This campus offers courses in arts, business, education, exercise science, information systems, nursing, music, psychology, social sciences, theology and visual arts.

The history of ACU National in Melbourne can be traced back to Mercy Teacher Training College, formed in 1908, and Christ College, established in 1967. These colleges became Mercy campus, Ascot Vale and Christ campus, Oakleigh when the university was formed. The University moved to its present Melbourne location in 2000. The site has been used for Catholic education for more than a century.

Academia

ACU National has 13,775 total students, with 9,351 undergraduates and 3,681 postgraduate students. The student body is 69.8% female and 30.2% male. ACU National has more than 10,000 local students, 1,600 international students and 270 Indigenous students. ACU has about 601 academic staff and 477 general staff members. The breakdown of students by faculty is as follows: Research services 363 (2.7%); Arts and Sciences 4,330 (31.4%); Education 5,239 (38.0%); Health Sciences 2,811 (20.4%) and combined schools 1,032 (7.5%).

According to Department of Education Science and Training (DEST), ACU National has a student to teacher ratio of 18.5:1. It is "one of the leading universities in Australia in the fields of education and health sciences" and also offers "first-class programs" in a number of other fields. The Good Universities Guide 2006 places ACU National in the top 20% of Australian universities for the proportion of Indigenous students.

Rankings

In 2002, ACU National was audited by the Australian Universities Quality Agency as part of the regular processes of the Federal government. The report found that ACU National's achievements in bringing together its predecessor colleges into one university and establishing a research culture were "very impressive."It commended the university in a number of areas including "substantially achieving" its mission statement, building a university culture, extensive self-reviewing, and community engagement. However, the report recommended the following be implemented: ensuring that the university continues to operate according to its Mission; ensure that students understand the national nature of the university and are involved in decision making and communication; further develop its research capabilities and; developing the library resources available to students.

According to Good Universities Guide, Australian Catholic University gets four stars from its graduates in rating of the educational experience. North Sydney, Strathfield and Brisbane are rated four stars in toughness to gain admittance. Canberra, Ballarat and Melbourne are rated two stars in the same category. Compared with other universities, the size of the student body is average. The proportion of Indigenous students is very high, and there is a low proportion of non-English speaking undergraduates and postgraduates.

In the Teaching Performance Rankings, released in August 2005 by the Department of Education, Science and Training, ACU National was ranked 13th of the 38 Australian universities. These rankings were based on criteria such as course experience, teaching, graduate employment rates, drop out and course completion rates. In 2005, the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research released its Index of the International Standing of Australian Universities. This measured a university by its research output as well as the quality of its undergrad and postgrad programs. ACU National was ranked 35th out the 38 Australian universities with an index score of 37 out of a possible 100.

Research

In making the transition from CAE's to a university, ACU National has had to adapt from a teaching only institution to one which is involved in both teaching and research. The university has identified a number of areas of priority known as Flagships and Centres. ACU National has the following research flagships: Mathematics Education and Literacy, Creative and Authentic Leadership and Quality of Life and Social Justice.

Faculties and schools

ACU National has three faculties: Arts and Sciences; Education; and Health Sciences. Within the Arts and Sciences faculty are there also two sub-faculties: Business and Informatics; and Philosophy and Theology. Each faculty is headed by a Dean, supported by a Deputy Dean. Courses are offered in each faculty at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

The three foundation faculties are divided into schools:

Arts and sciences

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences operates on all campuses and offers degrees in Arts, Business, Environmental Science, Hotel Management, Information Systems, Psychology, Social Sciences, Social Work, Theology and Visual Arts and Design. The faculty also comprises the two sub-faculties of Business and Informatics; and Philosophy and Theology.

Education

The Faculty of Education, through its various schools, is a major provider of primary and secondary teachers in the Catholic, private and public systems. The faculty operates on the Brisbane, Strathfield, Canberra, Ballarat and Melbourne campuses. Courses offered include undergrad and postgrad teacher training, Aboriginal education, adult and community education and higher research degrees. The Faculty of Education also offers postgraduate courses through learning centres in Karachi, Mauritius and New Zealand.

Health Sciences

The Faculty of Health Sciences offers degrees in nursing, midwifery and exercise science. Nursing and midwifery are offered on the Brisbane, North Sydney, Ballarat and Melbourne campuses. Exercise science is offered on the Melbourne and Strathfield campuses only.

Institute of Legal Studies

The Institute of Legal Studies was established at the end of 2005 and is set up to cater for those who need legal knowledge as part of their career but do not wish to study for a law degree. The institute's courses are targeted at education and health professionals as well as those working in the area of human rights and social justice.

ACUcom

ACUcom is ACU National's continuing education division and offers a range of business, vocational and international courses. It is based in NSW, Queensland and Victoria. Courses include postgraduate certificates in TESOL and inclusive education as well as VET and business short courses.

Student life

Organisations

Students are represented at a national level by the Australian Catholic University National Students Association (ACUNSA), comprising of the six local Campus Student Association Presidents and chaired by the Student Member of Senate. ACUNSA's role is to actively support the local Campus Student Associations and provide representation and a voice for Students on a National level.

Each campus has its own Student Association. Campus Student Associations are responsible for providing students with cultural, sporting, recreational, spiritual and social opportunities and representing the needs of the student body to the university.

ACUNSA and the Student Associations have recently launched a website ([www.acunsa.com.au]) and are currently formulating a series of Strategic Planning documents that will serve the purpose of driving the associations forward over the next three years and more effectively serving students.

The 2009 ACUNSA is: James Wood - Student Senator Christian Colangelo - Melbourne President Jess Cannane - Ballarat President Esther Ross - Canberra President Michael Villella - North Sydney President Stacy Allan - Strathfield President Christine Tesch - Brisbane President

Services

Students at ACU National are also provided with a range of Student Services such as counselling, academic skills advice, disabilities support and campus ministry. The Student Services team work with Student Associations on many projects.

Students have access to free, confidential, counselling services to give support with issues affecting their studies or lives in general. Academic skills advisers can assist students with developing their study skills by offering individual sessions or group workshops. Disabilities services supports students with disabilities and chronic medical conditions with issues that may affect their studies. Campus ministers on each campus are there for pastoral care and arrange liturgical celebrations and often works of charity.

There are three indigenous units catering for the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. These are Jim-baa-yer in Victoria; Weemala in Queensland; and Yalbalinga in New South Wales. Their role is to provide support for full-time indigenous students as well as arranging residentials for students studying by distance education.

Sports

ACU National and its predecessor institutions have produced first grade AFL and rugby league players including Justin Madden (AFL), now Victorian sports minister and Des Hasler, coach of Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. Deborah Sosimenko, who represented Australia in the hammer throw at the 2004 Olympics is a graduate of ACU National. The former Castle Hill campus was home to the ACU National Polecats who competed in NSW Tertiary Student Rugby League even after the campus was closed down. In 2002 they won the club championship and were runner-up in First Division. In 2003, they aligned themselves to UWS Nirimba campus. An ACU National team in Brisbane competes in the Queensland Student Rugby League Division B and were premiers in 2000.

ACU National students compete at their respective regional University Games, attempting to qualify for the Australian University Games (AUG's), the pinnacle of university sport in Australia. Since 1993, thirty-two students from ACU National have been selected in Green and Gold teams, representing Australian universities. Krystal Weir was selected for the 2005 World University Summer Games, representing ACU National and Australia in sailing. In 2001, ACU National's rugby union team received a wildcard entry into the AUG's and surpassed expectations by reaching the semi-finals. The team lost its semi-final to Charles Sturt University, Bathurst and were placed fourth, losing the bronze medal playoff to University of New England. 2004 was a very successful year for ACU National sport, winning five gold, one silver and three bronze medals at the 2004 AUG's, including gold in men's AFL. That year the university also captured regional titles in indoor cricket, futsal, rugby league 7's, and women's AFL.

The Big Event

In 2004, the Sydney campuses hosted the first ever national gathering of students from every campus. This gathering was known as the Big Event and its aim was to engender a feeling of being one national university rather than a collection of small campuses. Students engaged in workshops on topics such as leadership, spirituality and social justice. Many of these workshops were led by alumni who were working for organisations that aim to make a difference in society. The Big Event was held again in 2006, this time at the Brisbane Campus, with participation from representatives from all campuses. Approximately 120 students attended the five day event held during July.

There is a proposal to host the event again in 2010, to be hosted by the Ballarat Campus.

York University

York University
Motto:	Tentanda via ("The way must be tried")
Established:	1959
Type:	Public
Endowment:	$306 million (CAD)
Chancellor:	Roy McMurtry
President:	Mamdouh Shoukri
Staff:	7,000
Undergraduates:	45,890
Postgraduates:	4,796
Location:	Toronto, ON, Canada
Campus:	Urban / suburban, 2.17 km²
Sports teams:	York Lions
Colours:	Red and white
Affiliations:	AUCC, IAU, COU, CIS, OUA, CUSID, Fields Institute, Ontario Network of Women in engineering, CBIE, CUP.
Website:	yorku.ca

York University (French: Université York) is a university located in Toronto, Ontario. It is Canada's third-largest university and has produced several of the country's top leaders across the humanities and in sciences such as chemistry, meteorology and space science.

York supports a student population of approximately 60,000 and staff of 7,000, as well as 200,000 alumni worldwide. It has eleven faculties, including the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Schulich School of Business, Osgoode Hall Law School, Glendon College, Faculty of Fine Arts and the Faculty of Environmental Studies, as well as 24 research centres.

York University has always enjoyed a strong participation in the Canadian Space Program. The Faculty of Science and Engineering is Canada's primary research facility into Martian exploration and has designed several space research instruments and applications currently used by NASA.

On November 6, 2008, the York University Senate suspended classes due to a strike by CUPE Local 3903. The local represents contract professors, teaching assistants, and graduate assistants. Classes resumed on Monday, February 2, 2009 after back to work legislation was passed by the Ontario Legislative Assembly (see: 2008-09 York University Strike)

History

York University, a non-denominational institution in Toronto, Ontario was founded in 1959, by virtue of the York University Act. which received Royal Assent in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on 26 March of that year. Its first class was held on September 1960, in Falconer Hall on the University of Toronto campus with a total of 76 students.

The policy of university education initiated in the 1960s responded to population pressure and the belief that higher education was a key to social justice and economic productivity for individuals and for society. The governance was modelled on the provincial University of Toronto Act of 1906 which established a bicameral system of university government consisting of a senate (faculty), responsible for academic policy, and a board of governors (citizens) exercising exclusive control over financial policy and having formal authority in all other matters. The president, appointed by the board, was to provide a link between the 2 bodies and to perform institutional leadership.

In the fall of 1961, York moved to its first campus, Glendon College, and began to emphasize liberal arts and part-time adult education. It became independent in 1965 after an initial period of affiliation with the University of Toronto under the York University Act, 1965.Its main campus on the northern outskirts of Toronto opened in 1965.

Murray Ross, who continues to be honoured today at the University in several ways, was still vice-president of the University of Toronto (UofT) when approached to become York U's new president. At the time, York U was envisioned as a feeder campus to UofT, until Ross's powerful vision led it to become a completely separate institution.

In 1965, the university opened a second campus on Toronto's northern outskirts. The Glendon campus became a bilingual liberal arts college led by Escott Reid, who envisioned it as a national institution to educate Canada's future leaders, a vision shared by Prime Minister Lester Pearson, who formally opened Glendon College in 1966. Its bilingual mandate and focus on the liberal arts continue to shape Glendon's special status within York U. The new Keele campus was regarded as somewhat isolated, in a generally industrialized part of the city. Petrol storage facilities are still located across the street. Some of the early architecture was unpopular with many, not only for the brutalist designs, but the vast expanse between buildings, which was not viewed as suitable for the climate. In the last two decades, the campus has been intensified with new buildings, including a dedicated student centre and new fine arts, computer science and business administration buildings, as well as a small shopping mall, and hockey arena. The Rexall Centre tennis stadium, built in 2004, is a perennial host of the Canada Masters tennis tournament. As Toronto has spread further out, York has found itself in a relatively central location within the built-up Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and in particular, near the Jane and Finch neighbourhood. Its master plan envisions a denser on-campus environment commensurate with that location.

Academics

York University has produced the current directors and CEOs of almost all the major banks in Canada (Royal Bank of Canada, Bank of Nova Scotia, TD Bank, Bank of Montreal), the largest and most prominent media networks in Canada (CTV Television Network, Rogers Communications, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation), and numerous judges, diplomats, and senior politicians including the current Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Appeal of Canada, the Minister of Finance of Canada, the Attorney General of Ontario, the President of the Privy Council of Canada and the Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations. Astronaut Steve MacLean was educated at York University in the physics department and later taught there before going to work at NASA.

View from Vari Hall

York's approximately 2,450 full-time faculty and academic librarians are represented by the York University Faculty Association. Contract faculty, teaching assistants, and graduate assistants are represented by CUPE Local 3903.

Faculties

York University has eleven faculties. Several of these faculties' programs overlap. The Faculties of Arts (which is merging with the Atkinson Faculty of Liberal & professional Studies to form the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies in July 2009), Science & Engineering, Liberal & Professional Studies (Atkinson), and Glendon College, for instance, each house separate mathematics departments, although some of these are being merged; the Schulich School of Business offers undergraduate and graduate International Business Administration programmes, but the Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies' School of Administrative Studies acts as a completely separate business school, nevertheless both Atkinson and Schulich share many full time professors any many of Atkinson accounting courses "shadow" those of their Schulich counterpart. Also, Atkinson, Glendon, and Schulich units are offering or are in the processing of preparing to offer degrees in public policy and administration. The University administration has, however, taken steps in some cases to unify departments in separate faculties, in part to support York's efforts to brand itself as a university focused on interdisciplinarity. For example, the Faculty of Health, opened on 1 July 2006, houses the School of Health Policy & Management, School of Kinesiology and Health Science, School of Nursing, and the Department of Psychology.

The Osgoode Hall Law School moved from a downtown location to the York campus in 1969 following the requirement that every law school affiliate with a university. The law school has several flexible degrees available including the Osgoode-NYU JD/LLB degree in conjunction with New York University School of Law. Osgoode Hall Law School of York University has been ranked the top law school in Canada in Canadian Lawyer magazine’s 2008 Law School Survey.

York University offers the first and largest graphic design programme in Ontario (Bachelor of Design Honours degree). It is a four-year university degree delivered jointly by the two educational institutions of design in Canada, York University and Sheridan College.

York University's Faculty of Graduate Studies offers graduate degrees in a variety of disciplines, and there are several joint graduate programmes with the University of Toronto and Ryerson University. It is the second largest graduate school in the Province of Ontario.

The Ph.D. program at York in Social and Political Thought consistently ranks as one of Canada's best PhD programmes as reflected by the number of times York U students in this program have won the award for best PhD thesis in Canada. The School of Women's Studies at York University offers a large array of courses in the field, some of which are offered in French. The Canadian Centre for Germanic and European Studies is co-housed at York University and Université de Montréal. The Centre is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service.

View of Vari Hall from Harry W. Arthurs Common

Research centres & institutes

• Canadian Centre for German and European Studies
• Centre for Atmospheric Chemistry
• Centre for Feminist Research
• Centre for International and Security Studies
• Centre for Jewish Studies
• Centre for Practical Ethics
• Centre for Public Law and Public Policy
• Centre for Refugee Studies
• Centre for Research in Earth and Atmospheric Science
• Centre for Research in Mass Spectrometry
• Centre for Research on Latin America and the Caribbean
• Centre for Research on Work and Society
• Institute for Research and Innovation in Sustainability
• Institute for Research on Learning Technologies
• York Institute for Social Research
• The Jack and Mae Nathanson Centre for the Study of Organized Crime and Corruption
• LaMarsh Centre for Research on Violence and Conflict Resolution
• Robarts Centre for Canadian Studies
• York Centre for Asian Research
• York Centre for Vision Research
• York Institute for Health Research
• Las Nubes Centre for Neotropical Conservation and Research in Chirripó National Park is a research facility in Costa Rica donated by Dr. Woody Fisher in 1998

York has an art gallery (Art Gallery of York University.^[19] The Faculty of Fine Arts^[20] offers programmes such as ethnomusicology, cultural studies, visual arts, music, dance, and theatre. York's Jazz Department was once overseen by Oscar Peterson. York also has a joint Bachelor of Design program with Sheridan College. York's Departments of Film, Theatre and Creative Writing (which is not officially affiliated with the Faculty of Fine Arts) offers programmes in film production/directing, acting, and writing respectively, producing many award-winning graduates. The founders of Toronto's Hot Docs International Documentary Film Festival and CineACTION film theory magazine were graduates of York's Faculty of Fine Arts.

York's Dance department was founded by National Ballet of Canada's first choreographer Grant Strate.

York offers a Space & Communication Sciences undergraduate degree. York’s Centre for Vision Research has developed a ‘virtual reality room’ called IVY (Immersive Virtual Environment at York) in order to study spatial orientation and perception of gravity and motion. The Canadian Space Agency and National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) use this room to strengthen astronauts’ sense of ‘up’ and ‘down’ in zero-gravity environments. The room is a six-sided immersive environment made of the glass used in the CN Tower’s observation deck and includes walls, ceiling, and a floor made of computer-generated pixel maps. York's Faculty of Science and Engineering most recently took part in the 2007 NASA Phoenix (spacecraft) Mars Mission.