February 10, 2012 Volume 19, Issue 11 Publication Mail Agreement #40065156 News [email protected] news.usask.ca Inside Rethinking the student experience College of Arts and Science looks to renew first-year program Colleen MacPherson The process of improvingin Canada, and will have had Biggs, was an exploration of the first-year programming in the a taste of multiple arts and growing body of scholarship “I would like the college to be a destination College of Arts and Science is science disciplines. Lesley Biggs, around teaching and learning, really one of deciding what a a history professor and chair of and best practices in first-year point known for its exciting, innovative college graduate should have the committee, said this kind education. What the committee experienced and learned during of learning outcomes model found was that the college’s undergraduate programs,” their time in the college, and is being used sporadically but distribution model, that is the working backwards from there. needs to be “part of our culture credit unit requirements for a Lesley Biggs According to the report of in the college.” general liberal arts education, the college’s First Year Review The first year review“is considered fairly outdated. Steering Committee, that committee was set up two It does give students a sense of arts and science student should ambitious being curriculum student will have, among other years ago and charged with the breadth of what’s available in experience, a list that has been renewal. assets, strong communication finding ways to reinvigorate arts and science but I think we adopted as college program Biggs said that for many, skills, will think critically, will the first-year experience of arts can develop a more systematic goals in its third integrated plan, but not all departments, the be a world-minded citizen, will and science students with an and interdisciplinary approach the committee report goes on task ahead is examining their understand the socio-cultural eye to improving recruitment to the model.” to recommend three strategies position of Aboriginal Peoples and retention. Step one, said Having set out what an for implementation, the most See Work, Page 6 Making a difference in the world Provost’s academic address 2012 delivered Feb. 9 in Convocation tions have moved away from what Because this issue of On Campus News was printed prior to Editor’s Note Hall. Describing universities as has traditionally been viewed the provost’s academic address, quotes from the address “the key social institution of our as the ideal. The first view the were taken, with permission, from Brett Fairbairn’s speaking times,” the provost argued univer- provost addressed is that univer- notes and may vary slightly from his delivery. sities and the ideas they generate sities are the preserve of the privi- shape society and produce the leged, “or alternately, that we have As the University of Saskatch- positive difference in the world. people who influence the debates been inundated by the mediocre ewan approaches the milestone And his conclusion was an that matter—“Knowledge as masses.” of a one-billion-dollar budget, unequivocal yes. power; self-governing service to The connection between Provost and Vice-President “How are people’s lives the public interest.” universities and privilege is an Academic Brett Fairbairn used changed because of the distinct Universities exist in a old one based in truth, he said, his fourth annual academic things that a university like ours dynamic time of competing and “and goes back to a day when it address to explore whether does?” asked Fairbairn at the changing perceptions and expec- was unequivocally true.” Another universities provide value for that start of his address entitled What tations, he said. As a result, thereNews level of investment by making a Difference Doocn Universities@us Make?as k.caare those whon ewbelieves the.u institusas-k.caSee Universities, Page 2 Fairbairn Inside Collecting art Page 5 College anniversary Page 8 2 February 10, 2012 ocn Universities must be aware of their responsibilities to society: Fairbairn inner life that is distinctly and “the transformative impact From Page 1 We have the responsibility together to decide different from virtually any other on society.” old idea is that diverse enrolment corporation.” Understanding the ancient dilutes standards. By defining what being a university means in today’s context. Then there is the sugges- idea that knowledge is power, learning outcomes for students tion universities have become Fairbairn said that “like many and by strategically managing Brett Fairbairn undemocratic, but Fairbairn universities, we have done too enrolment, universities can argued democracy is “never little to create a pervasive culture address “the kernel of truth something that will be achieved of creativity, and we have particu- in concerns about quality and corporations—specialized staff, have locks on their doors but fully. It is,” he went on, “a value larly done too little to document access.” professional financial manage- that does not make a university a system that we strive to put into and explain the external impact The suggestion universities ment, strategic planning—but prison. practice under changing condi- of what we do.” are not fulfilling their role because these are features of all modern “Our not-for-profit orienta- tions” but that always involves That said, he mentioned of corporatization was the second organizations, “selective adapta- tion toward the public interest, open exchanges. “Understood in several success stories connected view the provost addressed. He tions that are appropriate to our combined with openness and this way, we can see the university with the U of S, life- and society- acknowledged that universities, needs and circumstances.” Both plurality of purposes and stake- as a fundamentally and distinctly altering work in agriculture, by necessity, have features of universities and penitentiaries holders, gives a university an democratic institution.” vaccine development, human The provost then moved reproduction, history, law and on to the notion that universi- other disciplines. “Our univer- ties neglect students in favour sity prominently features estab- Mark & Barb 302 BLACKTHORN of research. He pointed out lished, signature areas of research CRESCENT that teaching and research are that have been inspired in part Super fully developed 1485 sq necessary complementary activi- by Saskatchewan realities and in Wouters ft bungalow complete with 2+1 ties, “and we need to arrange which this province can make a 221-9975 bedrooms, den, sunroom & all our time to include both of global contribution.” appliances. Well maintained them. To be passionate about Success also comes in the [email protected] and many upgrades including flooring, vaulted ceiling, lighting, the kind of teaching that distin- “spirit of discovery” U of S furnace, hot water heater, guishes universities means being graduates take with them into the & shingles. Excellent street appeal, quiet location. Custom built by passionate about knowledge and world. “It should not surprise us Northridge. Professionally landscaped yard with sunroom. $489,900 its discovery.” that people who have undergone Finally, Fairbain turned a challenging education do better 102-3130 LOUISE STREET to the view that universities in life, in aggregate, in every have become too expensive measurable way … (and) young Senior’s 55+ condo ideally Excellent market knowledge, situated within walking distance for society to sustain, a notion innovators mentored here have years of experience and to Market Mall, bowling alley, that has grown from issues done remarkable things.” quality service is what you bridge, & curling clubs! This well like out-of-control health-care Universities make a differ- can expect from Mark & Barb. maintained 1174 sq ft condo costs, economic downturns and ence, Fairbairn concluded, but features spacious oak kitchen, Canadian academic salaries that the institutions must be aware 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 5 are among the highest in the of their responsibilities. Other appliances, upgraded flooring, newer windows & underground parking! Elevator & wheelchair accessible. $254,900 world. organizations like governments, Universities require imm- corporations and even commun- Saskatoon’s #1 Team. ense resources and “I see no ities depend on universities for way around four large tasks leadership, expertise and ideas, More pictures and info www.woutersrealty.com in our near future,” he said. but universities will never be Included on that list of tasks is without their skeptics and critics. focusing resources “on those Listen carefully, but do not few chosen things that are most “simply accept their prescrip- important,” economizing, diver- tions,” he advised. Earned Degrees and the Distinguished sifying sources of revenue and “In an age when knowledge, ultimately, remaining reliant on more than ever, is power, we Graduate Supervisor Award huge levels of public support. should not shrink from our “We will need to justify that mission both to create knowledge support by showing the ways and to democratize it.” in which a university like ours continually makes a difference.” The complete text of Brett Fairbairn’s At their heart, universities 2012 academic address along with are about ideas that transform a video can be found on his website lives, said Fairbairn, returning www.usask.ca/vpacademic under to his initial question, and at the the heading