Foundation for Success White Paper on Public Post-Secondary Education Government of Newfoundland and Labrador 2005 White Paper on Public Post-Secondary Education i ii Foundation for Success: Newfoundland & Labrador Table of Contents Forew ord ...............................................................................................................................iii Executive Sum m ary.............................................................................................................. v 1. Purpose and Process ........................................................................................................ 1 1.1. Purpose .......................................................................................................................... 1 1.2. White Paper Consultation Process................................................................................ 1 2. Building on Principles ..................................................................................................... 3 2.1. Fostering a Learning Culture........................................................................................ 3 2.2. Our Principles................................................................................................................ 3 3. Education in Society ........................................................................................................ 7 3.1. Education and Growth................................................................................................... 7 3.2. Issues and Challenges ..................................................................................................12 4. Our Education and Training System .......................................................................... 17 4.1. Department of Education .............................................................................................17 4.2. Institutions ...................................................................................................................17 4.3. Enrolment .....................................................................................................................19 4.4. Participation Rates .......................................................................................................21 4.5. Graduation Rates..........................................................................................................21 4.6. Student Financial Assistance.......................................................................................22 4.7. Student Debt.................................................................................................................23 4.8. Loan Repayment...........................................................................................................24 4.9. Employment and Educational Attainment ..................................................................25 4.10. Graduates and the Labour Market ............................................................................26 5. Strategies for Strengthening the Base ....................................................................... 29 5.1. Adult Learners..............................................................................................................29 5.2. Aboriginal Education....................................................................................................30 5.3. Women’s Participation..................................................................................................31 5.4. Rural Participation and Distance Delivery..................................................................32 5.5. Adult Academic Upgrading ..........................................................................................34 5.6. Apprenticeship Training...............................................................................................37 White Paper on Public Post-Secondary Education i 6. Strategies for Im proving System Capacity................................................................ 41 6.1. Memorial University.....................................................................................................41 6.2. College of the North Atlantic........................................................................................44 6.3. Education and Training for Health Professionals .......................................................45 6.4. Distance Education.......................................................................................................51 6.5. Rural and Economic Development ...............................................................................52 7. Strategies for Helping Students................................................................................... 55 7.1. Student Services ...........................................................................................................55 7.2. Disability Services ........................................................................................................57 7.3. Student Housing ...........................................................................................................58 7.4. Library Services............................................................................................................59 8. Strategies for M aintaining Stable Funding............................................................... 61 8.1. Government=s Investment ............................................................................................61 8.2. Infrastructure Requirements .......................................................................................67 8.3. Research Capacity ........................................................................................................69 8.4. Personal Investment.....................................................................................................71 8.5. Student Financial Assistance.......................................................................................72 9. Strategies for Enhancing Governance ....................................................................... 75 9.1. Council on Higher Education .......................................................................................75 9.2. Strategic Planning ........................................................................................................76 10. Building on the Foundation ....................................................................................... 79 Appendix: Sum m ary of Strategies................................................................................... 81 ii Foundation for Success: Newfoundland & Labrador Forew ord Our students are our future and they deserve every opportunity to succeed. As the pace of change accelerates, so too does the need to ensure that all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are ready to compete and participate provincially, nationally and internationally. Our ability to master the process of change in all areas of society depends critically upon Memorial University and College of the North Atlantic. There is every reason to be proud of the University and College. These institutions have extended skills and knowledge to thousands of our citizens and continue to do so, year after year. Post-secondary attainment rates have risen dramatically from 32% in 1981 to 52% in 2001. Our commitment to public post-secondary education – as a people and as Government – must continue. At this time, it is crucial that education be emphasized to foster a culture of learning. A system has to be grown that is truly equitable for all. While attending post-secondary studies is an affordable and reasonable expectation for many, for others, post-secondary education is beyond their reach. Actions need to be taken to support the social and economic development of this Province. Consequently, we have examined all the facets of our public post-secondary system to ensure it is strong, vibrant and positioned to strengthen the employment prospects of our graduates, while preserving the principles of quality, accessibility and affordability. I wish to thank our Commissioner, Dr. Wayne Ludlow, and his Advisor, Mr. Cyril Farrell, as well as Mr. Robert Pitt for his editorial assistance with this White Paper. I also extend my sincere thanks to the many individuals, educators, organizations and community groups who contributed to our consultation process. As Foundation for Success attests, we have listened carefully to the concerns expressed and the advice received, and the whole process has benefited. Preparing this White Paper has required decision-making that is necessary to enable the growth of our one university – one college system. We are making a strategic investment in these systems to open up access to post-secondary education regardless of individual circumstances, to support research opportunities, and to allow the development of a provincial system that is nationally and internationally competitive. Our future will be built upon this foundation. Tom Hedderson Minister of Education White Paper on Public Post-Secondary Education iii iv Foundation for Success: Newfoundland & Labrador Executive Sum m ary Post-secondary education is a valuable investm ent ... The people of this Province have long recognized that an educated population is the strongest foundation upon which to build our future. As Dr. Leslie Harris, former President of Memorial, stated: “the creation of the University ... was the most significant single