Ontario universities welcome the debate on enhancing the differentiation of
universities

TORONTO, Oct. 26 /CNW/ - A new position paper on differentiation in the university sector from the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) provides a welcome platform for further dialogue about the evolution of universities to meet the changing needs of society, according to the Council of Ontario Universities (COU).

"We look forward to a robust dialogue on how to best serve our students, as well as the broader communities in which we are engaged, through the different missions of Ontario's 20 universities," said Sheldon Levy, Chair of COU and President of Ryerson University.

Ontario universities support the central notion in the HEQCO paper that the Ontario government and each university develop agreements that include an approach to differentiation. In COU's last budget submission, it was proposed that the multi-year accountability agreements between individual institutions and the government be transformed into more strategic agreements that reflect university missions and priorities, regional needs, and respond to provincial priorities.

"These agreements can ensure that universities' aspirations are not limited, and that they can continue to evolve their missions and areas of emphasis in the best interest of their students, faculty, senates, boards and the regional communities they serve," said Bonnie M. Patterson, President of COU. "In addition to ensuring accountability for resources invested in them, the agreements can ensure that universities have the flexibility to respond to emerging trends and opportunities in unique ways."

This approach would build on the already highly differentiated nature of universities across many dimensions, including the composition of their student bodies, approaches to teaching, program mixes, research breadth and focus, and external partnerships, she added. Differentiation has occurred due to factors that include the commitment to the teacher-scholar model of faculty workloads, and university governance processes that support an evolving vision to create new opportunities for students and their communities.

For further information:

To arrange an interview, please contact:
Jennifer Grass
416-979-4341
416-707-6787
[email protected]
www.cou.on.ca