Published on October 25, 2013 | by Christina Balram Photography by Guelph-Humber
011 years on, an “experiment” proves its worth
We’re growing up so fast! The University of Guelph-Humber is 11 years old this year, growing from a mere 200 students in 2002 to almost its capacity of 4,000 full-time students now.
When Guelph-Humber was established, it was a unique, government-funded experiment with high hopes and expectations from its parent institutions. The hybrid approach between a college and university allows students to learn the theoretical and practical aspects to each of its programs, which in turn provides a well-rounded approach to learning.
According to University of Guelph President Alastair Summerlee, “Guelph-Humber has a very strong representation with the government because it’s the last and most successful experiment in Ontario, which has made a name for itself. Quite frankly, what Guelph-Humber is now, is what we dreamed it might be. Something I look on to with enormous pride.”
With four floors and seven undergraduate programs, Guelph-Humber is the ideal model for the phrase “small and mighty.” It provides a close-knit community where students make connections with professors on a name-to-name basis.
“This cohort provides camaraderie you don’t find elsewhere,” said Summerlee.
After starting this new, innovative experiment over a decade ago, Guelph-Humber is fast approaching its capacity and maintaining an increase of high school applicants. It’s slowly acquiring an identity.
Summerlee reminisced about the first class that walked into the doors of Guelph-Humber. “I asked them why they chose Guelph-Humber, and they were saying exactly what we told the government we wanted to do.” The goal was to create a post-secondary institution that was different compared to what has been done in the past. They approached the government with an idea of a school that gave students more credentials and a more well rounded education within four years.
The president of Humber College, Chris Whitaker, said the campus is “limited in the amount of space. With the students who get into the program, it does make for an institution where you have high marks getting in… The prestige has grown.”
Multiple times throughout the year, Guelph and Humber have discussions about Humber and its progress as well as what could be done to improve the institution. Whitaker said, “[we] are always looking to do new and innovative things in the long run. If we want to add more programs, we have to figure out a way of doing that.”
Guelph University president Alastair Summerlee said, “[I] would love to expand the programming but there are some real challenges… I would love it to have more students; 5,000 would be ideal.”
Because the University of Guelph-Humber is one of the youngest institutions in the province, the presidents at Guelph University and Humber College are confident graduates will go on to accomplish great success.
About the Author
Christina Balram is a third-year journalism student at the University of Guelph-Humber. Her dream job is to be an on-air entertainment reporter, but until she makes her broadcasting debut, you can find her stories here at radixonline.ca. Her motto: Never forget that “life starts outside your comfort zone.”
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