ARUCC 2010: Celebrating Achievement & Contribution

Submitted by: Mike V. Sekulic Past-President

From across Canada enrolment professionals came together in Vancouver, June 27 - 30. The ARUCC 2010 conference theme "Partnering for Student Success: We're in this together!" was expressed through the sharing and exchange of information, experience and knowledge. From the pre-conference workshops led by Susan Gottheil and Clayton Smith, to the closing plenary by Martha Piper, formerly President UBC, the conference had something for everyone.

It's hard to briefly tell the story of the conference. My family would say it's hard for me to be brief. Period. So, I'm going to break it up into short stories – focusing here on the conference's celebration of achievement and contribution by members.

The ARUCC biennial conference is a time of recognition and renewal. The Biennial General Meeting (BGM) is often used to highlight the contributions of individuals, who work tirelessly, often from the sides of their desks, for the benefit of their institutions, the profession and ARUCC.

The ARUCC constitution provides for the selection of Honorary Members who "shall be those individuals, no longer eligible to be Regular Members, but with records of significant service to the Association." Those so selected "shall enjoy a permanent invitation to attend Association meetings and to maintain an interest in Association affairs". Gerry Kendal, Vice Provost and University Registrar, University of Alberta, nominated Brian J. Silzer, listing active participation in many professional organizations and activities, including key roles in 2 past ARUCC Conferences. Gerry summed up Brian's contribution by saying that "Brian has been a positive force for change and improvement, and has been one of those vanguards who have seen the role of registrar change from gatekeeper and controller to one of strong advocate for student services."

The biennial conference is also a time of renewal for the ARUCC Executive. As members complete their term and new members join we recognize the contribution of outgoing executive,. ARUCC 2010 saw 50% of the Executive Membership change.

At ARUCC 2010 David Hinton, Registrar, UNB, completed his term as Past-President. David, started in 2004 as Vice President, became President in 2006, and Past-President in 2008.

David has been a tireless contributor to the work of the association. He followed, led and advised with equal ease and skill, and his council and wisdom will be missed.

France Myette, Registrar, Université de Sherbrooke, served as Secretary-Treasurer under the administration of 3 presidents, Yves Jodoin, formerly of UQAM, now Bishop's, David Hinton and myself. France Kept our financial house in order, and her expertise has been greatly appreciated by each president. Not only did France contribute through her role as Secretary-Treasurer, she added much to the discussion. Her thoughtfulness guided us and sometimes gave us perspectives we might not have considered.

Quebec Representative Manon Vaillant, Registrar, HEC Montréal, joined the Executive in 2007, replacing a vacancy, and has been a valued contributor to the work of the association.  She was ARUCC’s representative to ACISI .  In addition to her valuable contributions as a regional representative, Manon kept us informed and up to date on the work of ACISI (Advisory Committee on International Students and Immigration).

Atlantic Representative Rosemary Jotcham, Registrar, Acadia University joined the Executive in 2005, filling a vacancy. Rosemary not only contributed to our discussion and decision making, she made important contributions to the Halifax Conference. The association recognizes her enthusiastic and able contribution.The ARUCC Executive, and I, will miss her insights.

In the next edition of Contact, we will look at the people who made the ARUCC 2010 conference possible, and introduce you to the team behind the ARUCC 2012 conference!

Speede Committee: New representative

In the winter 2010 issue we announced that Barry Billing, after a number of years of volunteer service, was stepping down as the ARUCC representative of the AACRAO SPEEDE committee.

For those of you less familiar with the work of the AACRAO SPEEDE committee, reference the following site: www.aacrao.org/speede.

Investment in International Credit Evaluation

The Government of Canada announced in July that it will fund a project that will help integrate foreign trained newcomers into the Canadian labor market. The Chair of the Council of Ministries of Education (CMEC) will receive over $900,000 in funding over two (2) years for its project called Pan-Canadian Quality Standards in International Credential Evaluation: phase II.

For more information visit: www.cicic.ca/docs/2009-report-standards-evaluations.en.pdf and www.cicic.ca/736/standards-phase2.canada.

Québec Report

Submitted by: Heidi Emami Québec Representative McGill University

International Students in Québec Universities - A statistical overview
As part of a one-day workshop organized by the Québec Registrars' Subcommittee on June 2, 2010, Réjean Drolet and François Piette of the CREPUQ presented a portrait of international students in Québec universities. The complete PowerPoint presentation is available at: www.crepuq.qc.ca/spip.php?article1168&lang=fr with the title Atelier1_RDrolet-FPiette.ppt.

Here is a summary of their presentation:

In Fall 2008, 78.3% of Canadian and Permanent Resident students were registered at the undergraduate level, 17.2% at the master's, and 12% in doctorate level programs. The percentage of international registrants was slightly different with 65.6% registered at the undergraduate level, 22.4% at the master's and 12% in doctorate level programs.

In this semester, the majority of international students, i.e. 77.1%, were registered in universities located in the city of Montreal, and in the following disciplines: applied sciences (21.4%), management (21.3%), human sciences (21.4%). In terms of their country of origin, 30.9% of the students were from France, 12.1% from the U.S., 6.1% from China, 4.7% from Morocco and 2.8% from Tunisia.

The graduation rate of Canadian and Permanent Resident students in Fall 2008 was slightly higher at the undergraduate level but lower at the master's and doctorate levels. 76.3% of Canadian and Permanent Residents and 73.1% of international students graduated from a Bachelor degree program. At the master's level, the graduation rate was 72.4% for Canadian and Permanent Residents and 78.4% for international students. And at the doctorate level, the rates were respectively 33.8% and 48.8%.

Between Fall 2001 and Fall 2008, there was a 30% increase in the number of international registrants changing the total from 17, 380 to 22, 512.

Accueil Plus: A new service reduces wait time for international students at Montréal-Trudeau Airport
International students who were registered at a Québec college or university from May 17th to the 6th of September were able to use a new service called Accueil Plus. This service combined online registration with personal assistance on arrival and simplified customs processing at Montréal-Trudeau airport, especially for students who needed to obtain a Canadian study permit.

Using Accueil Plus, international students provide their travel information online while they are still in their country of origin. The information is sent to the service partners to expedite immigration and study permit processing and reduce wait time by preparing paperwork in advance. Accueil Plus is an extension of the Montréal-Trudeau Welcome service for international students, coordinated by the Conference of Rectors and Principals of Québec Universities (CREPUQ) in partnership with the Conférence régionale des élus de Montréal (CRÉ de Montréal) since 2008.

Open House season
Fall signals the start of Open House season for Québec universities. From October 15 until November 20, the various institutions opened their doors to prospective students and their families for guided tours, information sessions, and a chance to learn about life inside and outside the classroom.

Update from Concordia University:

Concordia continues expansion with new buildings
Having inaugurated the new John Molson School of Business Building in September 2009, Concordia continues its expansion with three new facilities. The PERFORM Research Centre and the Centre for Structural and Functional Genomics are currently under construction on the west-end campus while a new Environmental Chamber will be built on the downtown campus.

Largest Congress yet sees landmark accord
Concordians are pleased to have hosted the largest Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences in the conference's 79-year history. During Congress 2010 a landmark accord was signed on the Education of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. The Accord on Indigenous Education provides a new framework under which university programs will be reviewed and partnerships with Indigenous communities forged to better reflect the educational purposes and values of Indigenous people.

Winner of the Prix québécois d'entreprise citoyenne
Concordia has won this year's Prix québécois d'entreprise citoyenne in the category of environment, large institutions. The award recognizes actions taken by Québec-based businesses to introduce and promote innovative practices in business ethics and sustainable development.

Update from McGill University:

New Service Point
McGill University launched the Service Point in June 2010 in its new location on the ground floor of the McLennan Library Building, in the heart of the downtown campus. Service Point provides newly integrated, front-line administrative services for undergraduate and graduate students, including:

• ID cards
• International Health Insurance card
• US Government Loan pick-up
• Legal status & documentation
• Undergraduate & Graduate Admissions & Application Info
• Student accounts tuition & fee information

Also included are selected services for Arts and Science students, such as:

• Course & program registration info
• Enquiries regarding exams (including deferred & supplemental)

PCATT 2011 Conference to be held in Montreal
Kathleen Massey, University Registrar and Executive Director of Enrolment Services at McGill University, has been named co-chair of The Pan-Canadian Consortium on Admissions & Transfer (PCCAT) and will host the 2011 conference. The conference will be held in Montreal from June 20 to 22. Watch for more details to come at: www.pccat.ca.

Faculty of Medicine puts out call to 'non-traditional' applicants
The 'non-traditional pathways' program, the latest innovation in health science education at McGill, was conceived as a means of increasing the diversity of medical classes and addressing the shortage of general practitioners. Beginning in Fall 2011, this new initiative will welcome candidates who have experienced a different journey. For its first year, up to three seats in the Québec University category have been reserved for candidates who hold a Bachelor's degree (studies may have been completed full-time or part-time) and who have interrupted their academic studies for three or more years. The Faculty is open to adjusting the number of seats over the coming years as the program evolves.

Ontario Universities Report

Submitted by: Richard Levin Ontario OURA Representative University of Toronto

Ontario universities are awaiting further details of two recently announced provincial initiatives: an 'e-learning' institute to increase online study opportunities for Ontario students; and a provincial strategy to increase international enrolment. The province has also announced temporary pension solvency relief which will allow universities more time to address pension deficits arising from current economic conditions.

Some institution-specific news:
At Carleton, Suzanne Blanchard is now the Associate Vice-President (Students and Enrolment) and University Registrar. This new titles formalizes the consolidation of the reporting of the Registrar's Office, Student Support Services and Enrolment Management under the umbrella of a single AVP which Suzanne has held for the past three years.

Carleton has two new buildings under construction: the River Building will house the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, the School of Journalism and Communications and the School of Public Policy. The Canal Building will be the home of engineering programs including biomedical, energy, environmental and aerospace engineering, as well as nanoscience. A new 8-10 storey residence building is also under construction.

In September, Carleton launches a new interactive audit to allow students to plan their classes over the course of their degree program, determine what grades they need in each class and how it affects their CGPA. It will include a "what if" feature that allows students to evaluate various program alternatives. Carelton also recently introduced a Co-Curricular Record of extracurricular involvement (in student organizations or within Carleton departments), leadership accomplishments, community service activities and professional/educational development opportunities. Additionally, students can find a volunteer opportunity that's right for them by searching the Co-Curricular Record on-campus activity database.

At Wilfred Laurier, Ruth MacNeil was named Manager of Student Awards. Laurier has also introduced an English Language program called LEAF (Laurier English and Academic Foundation) that will have its first entering class this September at the Brantford campus.

Lakehead University has a new President. Dr. Brian J. R. Stevenson, took office August 1, 2010. A new Senior Advisor to the President on Planning & Implementation, Gerry Munt, also took office August, 2010. Lakehead is also anticipating the opening of a new building as part of their Orillia Campus. Classes will be housed there starting September, 2010. See more at http://orillia.lakeheadu.ca.

McMaster University also has a new President. Effective July 1, Patrick Deane, formerly Vice-Principal (Academic) and Provost at Queens, succeeded Peter George after his 15-year presidency. In the Registrar's Office, Melissa Pool has been named Senior Associate Registrar, Records and Registration, and Lou Cafazzo is the new Assistant Registrar, Services. Some personal news – I will be leaving McMaster to take up the new position of Executive Director, Enrolment Services at the University of Toronto, effective November 1.

At Trent University, Gary Boire is the new Vice President Academic and Provost starting Sept 1. Meri Kim Oliver takes on the Associate Vice President Student Services role; the Registrar's Office will move from reporting to the VP Research, International and Strategic Enrollment Management to reporting through the AVP to the VP Academic. Trent also has a new Associate Registrar of Recruitment and Admissions, Melissa Hill, and a new Manager of Admissions, Lois Fleming. Trent is moving its Oshawa campus away from the UOIT site to a new location on Thornton Road, which opens September 1st, 2010. Trent is also introducing a number of new online services including transcript requests, LoPs, enrolment verifications, and degree audit.

At Western, Dr. Janice Deakin is the new Provost & Vice-President (Academic); she was appointed to the position for a five-year term beginning August 1, 2010. Prior to her current position, Janice served as Associate Vice-Principal (Academic) and Dean of Graduate Studies at Queen's University, where she has held various academic and administrative appointments since 1986. Western's Provost & Vice-President (Academic) portfolio includes: academic units, Faculty Relations, the Office of the Registrar, Institutional Planning & Budgeting, the University library system, and Information Technology Services.

York University has two new Deans: Faculty of Science and Engineering: Janusz Kozinski; Osgoode Hall Law School: Lorne Sossin. In addition, Jennifer Sloan has been appointed as Vice-President of University Relations. In January, York launched THE SCHULICH MBA in INDIA. This program allows students to complete the first year of the Schulich MBA in Mumbai and the second year in Toronto. http://www.schulich.yorku.ca/indiamba

In September, York's Office of Admissions & Recruitment launches a Future Student Portal and MS Dynamics CRM. The Office has also embraced social media. There are four dedicated student e-ambassadors who respond to questions from prospective students (graduate and undergraduate) via Facebook, Twitter and YUBlogs. The e-ambassadors are also responsible for video and photo blogs that introduce York to prospective students and their parents. In September, the Office will launch a smartphone app and a new Future Student Mobile Web site to enable Smartphone users (iPhone, Blackberry, Android etc) to view and connect to the main functionality of the Future Student Web site (e.g. requirements, programs, financial matters, application) and to access the Portal. Also new this year is an Aboriginal Recruitment Handbook to complement the overarching University mandate to provide services/support to the Aboriginal community on and off campus.

Pan-Canadian Quality Standards in International Credential Evaluation

Submitted by: Nancy Tran, Project Manager Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials at the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada

In April 2010, the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC), a unit of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC), launched a new project funded by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC). The goal of the project is to help internationally trained newcomers integrate into the workforce by improving the consistency and the portability of academic credential evaluation across Canada, in both regulated and unregulated professions. Similarly, the project will facilitate the assessment of academic credentials for the admission of foreign students to Canadian colleges and universities.

A number of activities have been initiated in order to meet the objectives of the project. For information on these activities, please visit the project's Web site. The Web site will be updated regularly as the project progresses over the next 2 years.