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Simon Fraser University (SFU) is located in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, a suburb of Vancouver, British Columbia. Its programs are organized in six faculties: Applied Sciences, Arts and Social Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Health Sciences, and Science.

It was established in 1965 as part of the post-Sputnik boom in universities. Simon Fraser University is officially named after Simon Fraser, explorer of the Vancouver area.That the university is named after Simon Fraser the explorer is the university administration's official story. However, there are at least four conflicting stories about the origin of the name "Simon Fraser", only some of which involve the famous explorer. Source: The Peak. (January 16, 2006). Colonial...by design: rethinking the name Simon Fraser University. Retrieved March 31, 2006.

Like most Canadian universities, SFU is a public university, with 56% of funding coming from taxpayers and 39% coming from tuition fees.

Reputation

SFU has been rated as Canada's best comprehensive university five times (1993, 1997, 1998 and 2000) in the annual rankings of Maclean's Magazine and has consistently placed at or near the top of the publication's national evaluations. Heavily-attended programs at SFU are Business Administration, Engineering, and Computing Science, but a majority of students are enrolled in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

From its inception, SFU had a reputation for radicalness but in recent years it has become a byword for political orthodoxy and corporate-influenced education. Its first years witnessed a number of teach-ins and sit-ins that caused quite a bit of instability, though this reputation has greatly waned over the years.

The student activists in the 1960s also led a "cultural revolution" to pioneer democratic university governance in Canada. In May 1967, SFU became the first Canadian university to seat students in its Senate (Academic Governing Body).*

SFU's reputation for radical thinking led it to create academic programs that claim to be innovative and flexible, but which embrace strict ideological bents and agendas in the Humanities, while indulging corporate professional education. For example, SFU is the first university in Canada to offer an Executive MBA program for working managers in 1968; SFU also offers Canada's first Liberal Studies MA program in 1991.

Having one of the largest co-operative programs in Canada, SFU provides students in virtually all undergraduate and most graduate areas opportunities to explore the real world while they are still in school. The extensive exchange programs and field schools also provide students opportunities to study overseas. SFU excels in interdisciplinary studies, which allows students to maximize their academic experience.

In May 2004, the SFU Senate approved the policy on compulsory exit requirements for all its undergraduate students making SFU the first Canadian university to implement such university-wide requirements. All students must complete a selected number of writing intensive, quantitative based, and breadth courses before graduation. The goal of this new requirement is to enrich students' core competencies.*

International students make up 7% of its student body.

Population and notable alumni

SFU is home to about 25,000 students: 22,095 undergraduates and 3,337 graduates.* The university has grown in recent years, and currently has an alumni population of 82,307. About 715 faculty and 1,091 staff work for the university. Teaching Assistants, Tutor Markers, Sessional Instructors, and Language Instructors at SFU are unionized. The union, The Teaching Support Staff Union (T.S.S.U.) is independent. Faculty and lecturers are members of the Faculty Association. Staff are members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), local 3338; the Administrative and Professional Staff Association (APSA), or Polyparty. A few positions at the university such as some in Human Resources and senior administrative positions fall outside of the five associations or unions above.

SFU's student union is known as the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS), which includes everyone who studies at SFU. It is a member of the Canadian Federation of Students, the largest such organization in Canada.

Locally and internationally famous alumni include Olympian Daniel Igali, photographer and former spouse of the prime minister Margaret Trudeau, British Columbia Premiers Glen Clark, Ujjal Dosanjh, Gordon Campbell, and artist David Usher.

Terry Fox was an 18-year-old Kinesiology student and junior varsity basketball player when he was diagnosed with the bone cancer that resulted in the amputation of his leg. Fox then ran his Marathon of Hope to raise funding and awareness about cancer. In 2001, SFU awarded an honorary degree to Betty Fox, mother of Terry Fox and Honorary Chair of the Terry Fox Foundation.

Honorary alumni

In 1967, SFU awarded an honorary LL.D. (doctor of laws) to Marshall McLuhan.

On April 20, 2004, SFU conferred honorary degrees upon three Nobel Peace Prize recipients: the 14th Dalai Lama, Bishop Desmond Tutu, and human rights activist Shirin Ebadi.

Some other honorary alumni include: skier Nancy Greene Raine, Milton Wong, Doris Shadbolt, dancer and choreographer Judith Marcuse, economist Jeffrey Sachs, Peter Gzowski.

Facilities and location

Simon Fraser University has three campuses: Its main campus in Burnaby, a satellite campus in Vancouver's Downtown at Harbour Centre, and the new SFU Surrey campus. It is also a partner institution of the Great Northern Way Campus in Vancouver.

The Technical University of British Columbia, (TechBC), a technical university created by the New Democratic government of British Columbia, was closed in 2002; some of its programs and students were transferred to SFU and became the core of SFU Surrey.

The main campus is 1.7 km² located atop Burnaby Mountain, at an elevation of 365 metres (1,200 feet). This campus was designed by Arthur Erickson and Geoffrey Massey after the pair won a design competition in 1963. The campus is somewhat unusual architecturally in its avoidance of multistory buildings. The library on the main campus is called the W. A. C. Bennett Library, named after the Social Credit Premier of B.C. who established it.

At present, the part of Burnaby Mountain below SFU is a park/conservation area. Apart from SFU and associated industrial/technical research park Discovery Park, there had been little development until recently. In 2003, the university commenced construction on a model, sustainable community on approximately 200 acres adjacent to the campus, atop the mountain. The name is UniverCity. The site will contain up to 4,500 residential units in a number of neighbourhoods, along with a new town centre, schools, parks and other amenities. As of January 2006, approximately 585 homes, and The Cornerstone building, which includes restaurants, shops and services are already complete. Another 400 homes are under construction, and the community is beginning to attract international attention for some of its innovative and sustainable features, including the first community transit pass program in Canada, legalized secondary suites providing affordable housing for students and others, an exemplary stormwater management system, and its prohibition on multi-national retailers in the town centre.

The main campus was selected to be the site of a world-class speed skating oval for the 2010 Winter Olympics; however, the 2010 organizing committee changed its mind and decided it will now be built in the nearby city, Richmond, British Columbia.

The university has a theatre, an archeological museum and three art galleries.

SFU also works with other universities and agencies to operate joint research facilities. These include Bamfield Marine Station, a major centre for teaching and research in marine biology; TRIUMF, a powerful cyclotron used in subatomic physics and chemistry research; MITACS, headquarters of this Network of Centres of Excellence for 26 universities and 75 companies.

In March 2006, SFU approved the creation of a private college for international students to be built adjacent to its Burnaby campus. This new college will be called Fraser International College and is scheduled to open in September 2007 *.

Research

Long known as an innovative teaching university, SFU has moved toward research excellence. The university has recently created a new faculty of health sciences, invented the world's fastest bipolar transistor, and investigated the impact of technology on the nation's health sector. Scholarly research has been recognized with prestigious awards, including Governor-General's, Grawemeyer, Guggenheim, Manning and Pulitzer awards, Canada Council Killam research fellowships, NSERC industrial chairs, and gold medals from the Science Council of BC. In 2003-04 SFU faculty won $53,574,852 in research grants and contracts, most through open competition outside the province.*

Activities and sports

The student newspaper The Peak was established soon after the university opened, and is widely circulated throughout the Lower Mainland.

The school's sports teams are called the Simon Fraser Clan, and the mascot is a Scottish Terrier. In sports and other competitions, there tends to be a strong rivalry between SFU and The University of British Columbia. SFU's Clan Athletics competes in Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) and the USA-based National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). SFU has 14 varsity sport teams and 300 athletes. Football, men's and women's basketball, women's volleyball and women's wrestling compete for CIS championships only. Men's and women's soccer, women's softball, men's and women's swimming, men's and women's cross-country and men's and women's track and field compete for NAIA championships only. Men's wrestling competes for championships of both organizations. SFU has won the NAIA NACDA Director's Cup five times, as well as other awards. Many SFU athletes have also participated in the Olympics. Medal winners include Daniel Igali (gold, wrestling), Jeff Thue (wrestling, silver), Sue Holloway (canoe, gold), Bob Molle (wrestling, silver), Chris Rinke (wrestling, bronze), Hugh Fisher (canoe, gold), Garry MacDonald (swimming, silver), and Bruce Roberston (swimming, silver & bronze).

The university's bagpipe band performs well in international competitions and is one of the university's most famous attractions. It has won most major titles: the World Pipe Band Championship 1996, 1999, 2001, the World Drum Corps Championship 2004, the North American Championship 2002, the 2001 Australian Pipe Band Championship.*

Transportation

The relatively remote location of SFU's main campus has long posed a transportation problem for its student body. This situation has, however, been significantly improved by the recent expansion of Vancouver's SkyTrain rapid transit system and the introduction of a low-fare university fare card, the U-Pass. The university community is now served by the Production Way-University SkyTrain station at the base of the mountain.

Most Simon Fraser students are commuters who live in the area, but residence housing facilities accommodate 1500 students, with 249 additional units completed in 2005.

The downtown Harbour Centre campus is across from the Waterfront SkyTrain station. The SFU Surrey campus is at Central City next to the Surrey Central SkyTrain station.

Residences

  • New Residence
    • Three 8-floor towers, tailored for first year students
    • Co-ed traditional residences
    • Accommodating 713 students in single rooms
    • Co-ed Bathrooms

  • Madge Hogarth House
    • Women-only traditional residences
    • Accommodating 66 female students in single rooms
    • No longer occupied (As of Fall 2005)

  • Shell House
    • Co-ed traditional residences
    • Both private rooms and double rooms (shared) are available
    • Accommodating 143 students

  • McTaggart-Cowan Hall
    • Co-ed traditional residences
    • Accommodating 200 students in single rooms

  • Townhouse Complex (quad units)
    • Nine buildings each consists of eleven townhouse units
    • Each unit has four bedrooms
    • Accommodating 396 students

  • Hamilton Hall
    • Studio residences available to graduate students only
    • Accommodating 104 students

  • Louis Riel House
    • Residences for families, couples, and single parents
    • Consisting of 148 one-bedroom and 61 two-bedroom apartments

  • New Residence Dining Hall
    • Since New Residence and Madge Hogarth House have no kitchen facilities, students in these residences are on a required meal plan offered in the New Residence Dining Hall. The students are given what is essentially a debit card, to be used in the residence cafeteria and several other campus cafeterias. Purchases at the non-residence cafeterias are limited to $280 per semester.

In the fall of 2004, the first term the meal plan was put into effect, anger over both high residence cafeteria costs and a clause stating unused funds would be lost at the end of each term prompted a sit-in at the residence office, as well as some media coverage. The plan was then hastily amended, allowing funds from that semester to carry over to the next term. However, no permanent changes were made and prices at the cafeteria remained constant.

Governance and administration

Convocation

The Convocation is composed of all faculty members, senators, and graduates (degree holders, including honorary alumni) of the university. Its main function is to elect the Chancellor (who acts as Chair of Convocation) and four Convocation Senators. Convocation ceremonies are held annually to confer degrees (including honorary degrees) as well as award diplomas and certificates.

Board of Governors

The Board is composed of the Chancellor, the President, two student members, two faculty members, one staff member, and eight individuals appointed by the British Columbia government. Traditionally, the Board is chaired by one of the government appointees. The Board is responsible for the general management and governance of the university.

Senate

The Senate is composed of the Chancellor, the President, Vice-President, Academic, Vice-President, Research, Deans of Faculties, Dean of Graduate Studies, Dean of Continuing Studies, Associate Vice-President, Academic, University Librarian, Registrar (as Senate secretary), 14 student members, 28 faculty members, and 4 convocation members (who are not faculty members). The Senate is chaired by the President. The academic governance of the university is vested in the Senate.

Chancellor

The Chancellor is elected by and from Convocation for a three-year term, which can be renewed once. The main responsibilities of the Chancellor are to confer degrees and represent the university in formal functions.

President and Vice-Chancellor

The President and Vice-Chancellor is appointed by the Board of Governors based on a selection process jointly established by the Board of Governors and the Senate of the university. As Chief Executive Officer and Chair of Senate, the President is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the university.

Faculties, departments, and schools

Academic programs are co-ordinated and offered by faculties. Each faculty is headed by a dean. In large faculties, such as Arts and Social Sciences, academic administration is subdivided into departments and schools. Generally, traditional academic disciplines are offered by departments, whereas disciplines of applied or professional natures are offered by schools. Current faculties, departments, and schools include:

SFU chancellors and presidents

Chancellors

  • Dr. Gordon M. Shrum (January 1, 1964 - May 31, 1968)
  • Dr. Kenneth P. Caple (June 1, 1968 - May 31, 1975)
  • Dr. Jack Diamond (June 1, 1975 - May 31, 1978)
  • Dr. Paul T. Cote (June 1, 1978 - June 15, 1984)
  • Dr. William M. Hamilton (June 15, 1984 - May 31, 1987)
  • Ms. Barbara J. Rae (June 5, 1987 - June 4, 1993)
  • Dr. Joseph Segal (June 5, 1993 - June 4, 1999)
  • Dr. Milton K. Wong (June 5, 1999 - May 31, 2005)
  • Mr. Brandt Louie (June 1, 2005 - Present)

Presidents and Vice-Chancellors

  • Dr. Patrick McTaggart-Cowan (January 1, 1964 - May 31, 1968)
  • Dr. John F. Ellis (Temp. Acting) (June 1, 1968 - June 5, 1968)
  • Prof. Archie MacPherson (June 5, 1968 - July 29, 1968)
  • Dr. Kenneth Strand (Acting) (August 1, 1968 - July 31, 1969)
  • Dr. Lalit Srivastava (Acting) (August 1, 1969 - September 8, 1969)
  • Dr. Kenneth Strand (September 8, 1969 - August 31, 1974)
  • Dr. Pauline Jewett (September 1, 1974- October 9, 1978) leave: October 9, 1978 - December 31, 1978
  • Dr. Daniel R. Birch (Acting) (October 19, 1978 - December 31, 1978)
  • Dr. K. George Pedersen (January 1, 1979 - March 31, 1983)
  • Dr. J.W. George Ivany (Acting) (April 1, 1983 - August 31, 1983)
  • Dr. William G. Saywell (September 1, 1983 - March 1, 1993)
  • Dr. Robert C. Brown (Acting) (March 1, 1993 - August 1, 1993)
  • Dr. John O. Stubbs (August 1, 1993 - January 31, 1998) leave: June 9, 1997 - January 1, 1998
  • Dr. David P. Gagan (Acting) (June 9, 1997 - September 14, 1997)
  • Dr. Jack P. Blaney (Pro Tem) (September 15, 1997 - January 31, 1998)
  • Dr. Jack P. Blaney (February 1, 1998 - November 30, 2000)
  • Dr. Michael Stevenson (December 1, 2000 - Present)*

SFU Surrey

SFU Surrey is a satellite campus of Simon Fraser University. It was opened in September 2002 to absorb the students and programs of the former Technical University of British Columbia when that institution was closed by the Gordon Campbell government. It has since expanded to house the Surrey operations of other SFU programs.

SFU Surrey is temporarily located in the lower portion of the Central City Shopping Centre complex. In the fall of 2006, SFU will open its new permanent Surrey campus. The new facility will be located in Central City, an award-winning architectural complex adjacent to the Surrey Central SkyTrain station.

Programs

Programs at the SFU Surrey campus are offered by the Faculties of: Applied Science, Arts and Social Sciences, Business Administration, Education, and Science.

Tech One

Typically students start out in a program called TechOne, consisting of six core courses over two semesters: Interactive Arts and Technologies (IAT 100 and IAT 101), Foundations of Teamwork and Communications (TECH100 and TECH101), and Introduction to Programming (CMPT 120 (Python) and CMPT 125 (Java)). They must also choose one Math (MATH 151/157 (Calculus), or MACM 101, (Discrete and Combinational Mathematics)). On top of these core courses, they must also choose three electives. Once they sign up for TechOne, they are guaranteed course spots and share all the corecourses with similar peers. Alternatively, while they are taking core courses, students are allowed to take electives at the campus in Burnaby. It is about 40 minutes to transport between the two campuses.

Campus-specific Degrees

The campus also provides degrees in the sections of its business faculty, computer science faculty, and its very own School of Interactive Arts (SIAT).

See also

References and notes

External links

Simon Fraser University | Vancouver | Surrey, British Columbia | Educational institutions established in 1965

Université Simon Fraser | Đại học Simon Fraser | 西門菲莎大學

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Simon Fraser University".

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