Students Supportive of Increased Regulation for Campus Expansion

TORONTO, March 27, 2014 /CNW/ - This morning, the Honourable Kathleen Wynne and Honourable Brad Duguid announced that the provincial government would officially be accepting proposals for new or expanded university campuses in Ontario. Based on the Province's December 2013 Major Capacity Expansion Policy Framework, today's announcement aims to ensure that the creation of new, or expansion of existing, university campuses aligns with the Province's long-term post-secondary education priorities.

"OUSA has long advocated for the need for greater regulations for the creation of new university campuses in Ontario," said Amir Eftekarpour, OUSA President and Vice-President External of the University Students' Council (USC) of Western University. "Students are pleased that the Province is open to projects that will increase access to post-secondary education, while also working to ensure that students have access to robust student support services and quality instruction at new or expanded campuses."

Today's announcement also detailed the evaluation criteria that proposals will be required to meet to be considered. Successful proposals must demonstrate a geographic or demographic need for increased enrolment capacity and student access, as well as potential for increased growth and economic development.

"As we increase the number of students attending university in Ontario, institutions and the government must do more to ensure that academic quality and access to support services is not sacrificed as infrastructure costs increase," said Eftekarpour. "Students hope that when evaluating proposals for new or expanded campuses, Premier Wynne and the Province will favour proposals that commit to offering quality academics and a high standard of student support service delivery, course choice, and high quality teaching and instruction."

About the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA)

OUSA represents the interests of over 140,000 professional and undergraduate, full- and part-time university students at eight member associations across Ontario.

About the General Assembly

Held biennially, the General Assembly is the highest governing body of the Alliance and conducts the passage of policies, breakout sessions for current issues, and directs the focus of the Alliance.

SOURCE: Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance

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