NDP Premier Greg Selinger was on hand at University College of the North (UCN) in Thompson, along with MLA for Thompson and Infrastructure Minister Steve Ashton, to announce $82 million towards the construction of the new UCN campus on April 12.
That's three times the estimated $27 million cost announced three years ago before the first shovel hits the ground. Ashton said the project, particularly on the skilled trades and apprenticeship training side, is considerably larger than originally envisioned, and the new campus is no longer simply a replacement for the existing campus.
Selinger and Ashton were joined by Diane McGifford, advanced education and literacy minister, Mayor Tim Johnston, Denise Henning, president and vice-chancellor of UCN, and other dignitaries and guests to talk about what the investment will mean for the new 84,000-square-foot campus, which will be larger and have more resources and facilities than the current one or what was originally planned as a replacement in March 2007.
"This is probably the most significant capital announcement in the North for post-secondary education facilities in our memory as an elected people, and even longer," Selinger told a packed room at the aboriginal centre in the Polaris Building 5 at UCN.
Selinger went on to say that the investment is important not just to Northern Manitoba, where almost 1,000 jobs will be created, but to the entire province because it will help lift the provincial economy out of the recession.
"The entire NDP government is excited about this. This is part of what we're doing to work our way through a recession. Other governments are doing different things; they're cutting things. We're investing in a way that will allow people to have jobs and an education and so we come out of the recession stronger; so that our people are stronger, our institutions are stronger and our economy is stronger."
The University College of the North is the successor of Keewatin Community College as the main post-secondary education institution in Northern Manitoba. Its main campus is in The Pas, with other regional campuses and satellite operations throughout the North.
Keewatin Community College was established in 1966. Its Thompson campus was created in the early 1980s.
The University College of the North was created on June 10, 2004 when the University College of the North Act received royal assent. Keewatin Community College, as established by Section 2 of the Colleges Establishment Regulation, Manitoba Regulation 39/93, was continued as the university college.
From the outset, UCN was set up to provide "post-secondary education in a culturally sensitive and collaborative manner" that "is fundamental to the social and economic development of Northern Manitoba."
UCN has the power to grant degrees, honourary degrees, certificates and diplomas.
The act also stipulates "post-secondary education in Northern Manitoba should be learner and community centred and characterized by a culture of openness, inclusiveness and tolerance and respectful of aboriginal and Northern values and beliefs."
Henning is the chief executive officer of the university college and is to supervise and direct the academic and general administration of the university college, its students, teaching staff and other employees, and has any other powers and duties that may be conferred on or assigned to the president by the governing council.
Beyond the chancellor and president, UCN also has a tripartite form of council governance. The governing council, the most important body, is responsible for the governance and management of the affairs of the university college and "may determine the mission, vision and values of the university college."
The learning council is responsible for the academic affairs of the university college. It also has a general advisory role and "may give advice to the governing council on any matter that the learning council considers relevant to the purposes of the university college."
In terms of academic matters, the "Learning council is to advise the governing council, and the governing council must seek advice from the learning council," about the following matters:
the mission, vision and values of the university college;
the courses or programs to be offered, other than those programs directed under Section 21, and the evaluation of existing courses or programs;
the degrees, honourary degrees, certificates and diplomas to be granted by the university college;
Finally, a council of elders "is to promote an environment at the university college that respects and embraces aboriginal and Northern cultures and values. The council of elders is also to promote an understanding of the role of elders within the university college."
Selinger and Ashton say the construction of the campus will begin this fall, which will include a 24-unit on-campus housing development for students and families, new facilities for academic programs, and child care space for 75 children. The first phase of construction is set to see student capacity increase to 510 from 342. Renovations to some existing UCN buildings and off-site facilities will also be taking place to allow for expansion in the trades and technologies section of UCN. The school's goal is to see apprenticeship spaces increase from 48 to 150, part of the province's commitment to see apprenticeship spaces increase by 4,000.
Henning says UCN is committed to contributing to the economic and social development of the North, stating the new campus fits with the commitment by providing appropriate space.
Johnston says the City of Thompson sees the new facility as a welcome addition to serve education and training needs of people in Thompson and the North. He also pointed out city council's firm commitment to the location of the new campus despite facing much criticism and controversy in the past months.
At a council meeting on March 16, council heard a report regarding a new proposed area for student housing after for former location - on the Red Sangster ball diamond - was scrapped. The new location is said to be on the western portion of the campus site. Council passed a resolution approving the relocation of the student housing project in principle, subject to a public information meeting sponsored by UCN, Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation and Manitoba Housing to take place in the near future.
