Laurentian University

Laurentian University

Other name	LU, LUL
Motto	Emitte lucem et veritatem
Motto in English	Send forth thy light and thy truth
Type	Public
Established	1960 Laurentian University of Sudbury/Université Laurentienne de Sudbury.
Endowment	CA$41.9 million
Chancellor	Vacant
President	Robert Haché
Administrative staff	922
Undergraduates	9000
Postgraduates	515
Address	935 Ramsey Lake Road Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2C6 46°27′57.75″N 80°58′13.77″W / 46.4660417°N 80.9704917°W / 46.4660417; -80.9704917Coordinates: 46°27′57.75″N 80°58′13.77″W / 46.4660417°N 80.9704917°W / 46.4660417; -80.9704917
Campus	urban green belt, 304 ha (750 acres)
Sport Teams	Laurentian Voyageurs
Colours	Gold   & blue
Nickname	Voyageurs
Affiliations	AUCC, IAU, COU, AUFC, CVU, Ontario Network of Women in engineering, U Sports, OUA, CBIE, CUP, OUSA.
Mascot	Victor the Voyageur
Website	laurentian.ca

Laurentian University (French: Université Laurentienne) is a mid-sized bilingual public university in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, incorporated on March 28, 1960.^[1] While primarily focusing on undergraduate programming, Laurentian also houses the east campus of northern Ontario's only medical school—the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, which opened in 2005. Its school of Graduate Studies offers a number of graduate-level degrees. Laurentian is the largest bilingual provider of distance education in Canada.^[2]

Despite claiming to have run balanced budgets in eight of the previous nine years, on 1 February 2021, Laurentian University filed suddenly for creditor protection.^[3][4][5][6] As part of its restructuring, on 12 April 2021 Laurentian University announced the closure of 58 undergraduate programs and 11 graduate programs spanning a diversity of subjects.^[7][8][9] As part of these closures, some 200 faculty and staff positions were terminated.^[8][10] The university continues to offer 107 undergraduate programs and 33 graduate programs.^[11]

Overview[]

The university's campus is located on the south side of Ramsey Lake, just south of Greater Sudbury's downtown core in the Bell Grove neighbourhood. The city's Idylwylde golf course borders on the university campus to the west and the Lake Laurentian Conservation Area borders on the campus to the south.^[12] The Lake Laurentian Conservation Area contains a network of trails used for running, mountain biking and nordic skiing.^[13][14]

The school has two separate student unions (in addition to the part-time and graduate student associations). Students are assigned a student association when they register for their courses; the Francophone Students Association (AEF) is for francophones, while the Students General Association (SGA) is for both anglophones and francophones.

History[]

Laurentian's historical roots lie in the Roman Catholic church.^[15] The Collège du Sacré-Coeur was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1913. According to a plaque at the entrance to the R. D. Parker Building, the school began granting degrees in 1957 as the University of Sudbury.

A university federation combining representatives from the Roman Catholic, United, and Anglican churches was incorporated as a "non-denominational, bilingual institution of higher learning" in 1960.^[15] The new Laurentian University held classes in the University of Sudbury facility, as well as in a variety of locations in the city, including the Sudbury Steelworkers Hall, until its current campus was opened in 1964.^[16]

The federated colleges included Huntington College (United Church), University of Sudbury College (Roman Catholic, descended from the Collège du Sacré-Coeur), and Thorneloe College (Anglican) which joined in 1963.^[17] Collège universitaire de Hearst in Hearst is the only remaining affiliated college while both Nipissing University College in North Bay and Algoma University College in Sault Ste. Marie were previously affiliated with Laurentian.^[15] Nipissing and Algoma were established as independent universities in 1992 and in 2008 respectively.^[16]

Laurentian opened a campus in Barrie, Ontario in 2001 in partnership with Georgian College. In 2016, the university announced that it would shut down operations in Barrie by May 2019.^[18]

In 2005, Laurentian and Lakehead University jointly launched the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.^[19] In 2021, the provincial government passed legislation severing the medical school's ties with Laurentian and Lakehead, making it an independent university and Canada's first stand-alone medical school.^[20]

In 2011, Laurentian received approval to launch the McEwen School of Architecture.^[21]

On 1 February 2021, Laurentian University President Robert Haché confirmed that the University had filed for creditor protection.^[5][6] Court filings revealed that the university's liabilities amounted to $321 million. As part of its restructuring, in April 2021 the university announced plans to end its relationships with the federated schools effective May 1,^[22] although the federated schools have announced an intention to challenge the action in court. On April 12, 2021 Laurentian University announced the closure of 58 undergraduate programs and 11 graduate programs spanning a diversity of subjects.^[7][23][24] As part of these closures, 116 professors' positions were terminated.^[23][25]

Partnership[]

Northern Ontario School of Medicine

Located in a city where the major industry is mining, Laurentian has strong ties with the mining industry, and is one of the few schools in Canada offering mining engineering. The , a provincial building located on campus, houses the Ontario Geological Survey, the Ontario Geoscience Laboratories, the J.B. Gammon Mines Library, and the Mining and Minerals Division of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. It also houses the Mining Innovation, Rehabilitation and Applied Research Corporation (MIRARCO), a not-for-profit applied research and technical service company formed through collaboration between Laurentian University and the private and public sectors, and the Mineral Exploration Research Centre (MERC), a semi-autonomous research and teaching centre whose focus is field-based, collaborative research on mineral deposits and their environments.^[26]

The university is also a partner in the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO), the world's deepest underground laboratory. The observatory studies the composition of the sun and the origins of the universe.

In addition, Laurentian University has a partnership with St. Lawrence College Tri-campus for its Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Business Administration.

The university is a member of L'Association des universités de la francophonie canadienne, a network of academic institutions of the Canadian Francophonie.

Administration[]

The Board of Governors heads the university with the president. Directly to the left and right of the president is the assistant to the president, and the Laurentian University senate. Judith Woodsworth was the president of Laurentian University from 2002 to 2008, at which time Dominic Giroux became president when she left the university to become President and Vice-Chancellor of Concordia University, Montreal.

Aline Chrétien, the wife of former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, was named the university's first chancellor on September 22, 2010.^[27] She was succeeded by Steve Paikin on October 26, 2013.^[28]

Laurentian University's affiliate universities each have a chancellor. The chancellor is largely a ceremonial role, and has little participation in the day-to-day operations of the university. The chancellor for the affiliated University of Sudbury is Sudbury lawyer André Lacroix ; the chancellor for the affiliated Thorneloe University is Anne Germond; the first chancellor of the affiliated Huntington University is Edward (Ted) Conroy, another Sudbury lawyer. University administration is the responsibility of the Board of Governors, headed by the chairperson of the Board of Governors. As of 2016 this post is held by Jennifer Witty.^[29]

Presidents[]

• Stanley G. Mullins (1963–1970)
• R.J.A. Cloutier (1970–1972)
• Edward J. Monahan (1972–1977)
• Henry Best (1977–1984)
• John Daniel (1984–1991)
• Ross Paul (1991–1998)
• Jean Watters (1998–2001)
• Judith Woodsworth (2002–2008)
• Dominic Giroux (2009–2017)^[30]
• (2017–2019)
• Robert Haché (2019–Present)

Chairpersons of the Board of Governors[]

• Ralph D. Parker (1960–1965)
• Horace J. Fraser (1965–1969)
• W.J. (Bill) Shea (1969–1971)
• W.B. (Bill) Plaunt (1971–1973)
• (1973–1978)
• André Lacroix (1978–1981)
• Frank Clumpus (1981–1984)
• Normand Forest (1984–1987)
• Alan Querney (1987–1991)
• Roberto Grosso (1991–1994)
• Jamie Wallace (1994–1996)
• Douglas Los (1996–1998)
• Robert Del Frate (1998–2001)
• Maureen Lacroix (2001–2004)
• Jim Smith (2004–2007)
• Carolyn Sinclair (2007–2010)
• Floyd Laughren (2010–2013)
• Michael Atkins (2013–2016)
• Jennifer Witty (2016–2019)
• Claude Lacroix (2019–Present)

Program information[]

Commerce and administration[]

Laurentian's school of commerce and administration was founded in 1960. It is modeled on the University of Western Ontario's Richard Ivey School of Business. The school offers small class sizes, one-on-one teaching, and an outstanding faculty.^{[citation needed]} The School of Management offers a wide variety of programs, from MBAs to honours degrees in Business Administration and Sports Administration (H.B.Comm in SPAD).

The school utilizes the case study method, in which it teaches through extensive use of business case studies. The case method enables class discussion of real business problems, which will apply the concepts, decision making methods and tools to those situations to help develop analytical and decision making skills. Students get involved in the community by studying real organizations of their choice, participating in research projects sponsored by businesses in the community and solving real problems.^{[citation needed]}

Sports Administration (H.B.Comm in SPAD)[]

Laurentian University offers a unique program unlike any other in Canada. Laurentian's Sports Administration program is the only undergraduate sport management program that offers a business degree. In recent years, the program has achieved international accreditation which allows for more international opportunities. These opportunities include a two-week course in China, a semester abroad in Austria or France, International destinations for the final consulting trip, as well as many international internship opportunities.

Education (B.Ed.)[]

Laurentian has both English and French language education programs for teacher training.

École des sciences de l’Éducation (Consecutive Education, French)[]

In the Alphonse Raymond building, at the east end of campus, is the school École des sciences de l’éducation de l’Université Laurentienne. Named after Father Alphonse Raymond, and opened in 1974, the building houses classrooms, a cafeteria, an auditorium, a small gymnasium, and offices for more than a dozen professors, offering a variety of programs. The school offers a traditional consecutive post-grad Bachelor of Education, a newer concurrent Bachelor of Arts Education degree that can be taken full or part-time, the possibility of engaging in studies online, and the chance for certified teachers to complete additional qualifications.^{[citation needed]}

Bachelor of Education students who attend the institution must complete 50 days of practicum placement focusing on observation and practice teaching. The program provides many of the French-speaking teachers who work in Ontario's publicly funded education system, particularly in schools located in the northeastern section of the province.^{[citation needed]}

School of Education (Concurrent Education, English)[]

In September 2003, Laurentian began offering an English Bachelor of Education. This concurrent B.Ed. is a five-year program taken at the same time — concurrently — with an undergraduate degree commonly in Arts, Sciences or Sport and Physical Education. The primary goal of the English-language Bachelor of Education program is to foster the development of a new generation of reflective educators who employ holistic teaching approaches. The curriculum features an emphasis on equity and diversity as well as the infusion of aboriginal issues and content. At the moment, the program is offered in just two of the three areas of potential concentration: the primary/junior and junior/intermediate divisions. A new School of Education building - based on sustainable environmental principles and located across from L'École des sciences at the east end of the campus – was completed in the summer of 2008. The program requires a 75% average over one's first four years in order to progress to the final (or Pro Year). The 75% minimum average required for entry in the final year means a nearly 80% entering grade in reality, so the annual Pro Year class (ranging from about 65 to 95 students) constitutes a rather elite cohort compared to most other Ontario concurrent programs. Many graduates have gone on to employment with both the local Sudbury boards, with other school boards across Ontario, while many others have acquired employment in Alberta, B.C., and Saskatchewan, with a significant number working overseas (particularly in Britain).

Federated schools[]

Huntington University

• Huntington University
• Northern Ontario School of Medicine (in partnership with Lakehead University)
• Thorneloe University
• University of Sudbury

Nipissing University in North Bay and Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie, both now independent universities, were federated schools of Laurentian.

Laurentian's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is also taught in colleges across Ontario as part of one of three agreements between colleges and the university. Graduates of these collaborate programs receive Laurentian degrees upon graduation. The Northeastern Ontario Collaborative Nursing Program (NEOCNP) is a partnership between Laurentian University, Cambrian College, Northern College, and Sault College. St. Lawrence College offers Laurentian's Nursing Program through an agreement called the Laurentian–St. Lawrence Collaborative Nursing Program. Finally, Collège Boréal provides the Nursing program through an agreement with Laurentian University's French-language "sciences infirmières" program.

St. Lawrence College also offers Laurentian's Bachelor of Business degree, a four-year program.

Research centres[]

Science buildings

• Association francophone pour le savoir (ACFAS)
• Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI)
• (CIMMR)
• (CRHD)
• (CROSH)
• Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research (CRaNHR)
• (CFEU)
• (ELRFS)
• (GRC)
• (IFO)
• (INORD)
• (LUMAL)
• Mineral Exploration Research Centre (MERC)
• Mining Innovation, Rehabilitation and Applied Research Corporation (MIRARCO)
• Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO)

^[33]

Student life[]

Students' General Association/Association Générale des Étudiants[]

The SGA-AGÉ is the largest student union at Laurentian, with around 5100 students. It offers services in both English and French, although in recent years the English services have become predominant. The association is presided over by a board of directors consisting of representatives of each of the academic departments and residences, as well as commissioners representing groups within the school (francophone, aboriginal, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, international students, women, cultural affairs and special needs), three university senators and the executive.

The staff of the association, some of whom are part-time, included the president, two vice presidents, one for policy and advocacy, and one for student life, a Chief Returning Officer during the election campaign, the editor of Lambda, the director of CKLU, the manager of Pub Down Under and the manager of the games room.

In 2016, the SGA-AGE became a member of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance.

Media[]

The university's campus radio station, CKLU-FM, broadcasts at FM 96.7 in both English and French. Its campus newspapers are Lambda in English and L'Orignal déchaîné ("The Unchained Moose") in French. Lambda is a member of Canadian University Press, and CKLU is a member of the National Campus and Community Radio Association.^[34]

Sports[]

Laurentian Voyageurs logo

Voyageurs' women's hockey team 2013–14

Voyageurs' women's hockey team 2013–14

The university's varsity teams, known as the Voyageurs for the men's teams and the Lady Vees for the women's teams, compete in basketball,^[35] soccer, rowing, swimming, cross-country running, golf, curling, and Nordic skiing. There are also competitive club teams including lacrosse, baseball and a plethora of intramural sports programmes. The Lady Vees basketball team have been one of the most successful franchises in the history of the U Sports Women's Basketball Championship, winning the title seven times. Notable alumnae of the basketball team include broadcaster Sylvia Sweeney. The varsity rowing team within its five-year history has produced a national team athlete and captured medals at both the OUA championships as well as gold medals at the Canadian University Rowing Championships.

In 2017, the women's varsity curling team, consisting of Krysta Burns, Megan Smith, Sara Guy, and Laura Masters, captured the OUA Curling Championship (the first for the program and first OUA team banner for the University since 2003) followed by the Curling Canada/USports Championship (the first for the program and first USports team banner for the University since 1991). The Voyageurs' women's team (consisting of Kira Brunton, Megan Smith, Alyssa Denyer, Mikaela Cheslock, and Emma Johnston) followed-up their 2017 USports' victory with a second national USports title during the 2018–19 curling season.

The current director of the athletic department is Peter Hellstrom.

705 Challenge Cup[]

First established as a challenge between the varsity soccer teams of two Northern Ontario universities (Laurentian vs. Nipissing), in which the winning team was awarded the Riley Gallo Cup, the rivalry expanded. Introducing the 705 Challenge Cup in 2016, the results of all regular season games between the Lakers and the Voyageurs varsity teams for men’s and women’s basketball, ice hockey and soccer, comprised the overall won-loss record in determing the annual Cup winner. The Lakers would win their first 705 Challenge Cup during the 2019-20 athletics season. Of note, the scores below reflect the women's ice hockey matchups since the 705 Challenge Cup was introduced.

Pipe band[]

LUPB bagpipers in Laurentian tartan at Sudbury Celtic Festival, May 2011; blue/green/gold kilts in front row

The Laurentian University Pipe Band (LUPB) was launched during spring convocation in May, 2007. Laurentian is one of the first schools (after Queen's University) to design its own tartan (registered in the tartan index) and the third post-secondary institution in Ontario to have its own pipe band (along with Queen's and the Royal Military College). Membership includes Laurentian and Northern Ontario School of Medicine students, alumni, and non-affiliated community members. The band complement includes bagpipes, snare, tenor, and bass drums as well as a highland dancing troupe. The band is managed by an executive council, and musical instruction (including repertoire development) is conducted by the pipe major and drum major.

Practices are typically held weekly during the academic year with breaks during holidays and the summer.^[36]

Campus[]

The R.D. Parker Building

Fraser Auditorium[]

The Fraser Auditorium in the Fraser Building is a large-volume auditorium and is regularly used for the larger first-year classes, seating up to 669 people.^[37] When used as a classroom, the Fraser Auditorium is divided into three smaller sections. The Fraser Auditorium is also used for special events and conferences, and for convocation ceremonies, held within the auditorium each spring.

The Fraser Auditorium has hosted the Falconbridge Lecture Series hosting such guests as Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, and Senator Roméo Dallaire (March 2006).

The auditorium also sometimes hosts cultural events, such as theatre and concert performances, and was the original home of the city's Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario and Sudbury Theatre Centre.

Ben Avery[]

The Ben Avery is the sports building on campus .It has a weight and cardiovascular room, an IAAF eight-lane 400 metres (1,300 ft) Mondo track (2010) that complements the sport fields with seating for 5000, a four-lane indoor track, a rock climbing wall, a bouldering room, an Olympic size swimming pool with high rise diving boards, squash courts, basketball courts, badminton nets, and the home of the pot-banging cheer club.

Many students write their final exams in the Ben Avery's Varsity Gym.

Beach[]

The university owns over 765 acres (310 ha) of land, including a private beach. There are five freshwater lakes in the immediate campus area. School and residence activities are held at the beach year round. The beach is a 15-minute or less walk from all of the residences.

Residences[]

The Laurentian Residences offers five unique residences under the supervision of the main campus and three located at the main campus under the supervision of the federated colleges.

Single Student Residence[]

The Single Student Residence (SSR) is an apartment style complex, with apartment units for 4–6 residents, containing a living room, kitchen, and washrooms. The entire complex includes rooms for 387 students in 72 apartments. Student Street, consisting of a convenience store, computer room, mail room, snack bar, and games room, among other rooms and services, is located at the bottom of the SSR complex. A $5.9 million renovation of the residence began in 2013.^[38]

University College Residence[]

The University College Residence (UC) is a ten-storey co-ed building with single and double (shared) rooms, providing accommodations for 240 students. University College is also connected to Student Street, giving students access to the same amenities available to SSR students.

Married/Mature Student Residence[]

The Mature Student Residence (MSR) offers furnished apartments for those who have accumulated over 90 university credits. The residence is generally thought of as the quietest at Laurentian. Rooms consist of one bedroom, a living room, bathroom and kitchen.

The West Residence[]

This is a new residence completed in 2007. It is designed for students who have spent at least two years at the university and obtained a minimum of at least 60 credits. The residence consists of same sex apartment style rooms and cost $14.5 million CAD.

Thorneloe Residence[]

The Thorneloe University College Residence provides accommodations for 58 students. This residence offers large kitchens, a sauna, and common rooms. In 2004 the former administrative offices were transformed into a suite for four students. Thorneloe University College, although founded by the Anglican Diocese of Algoma, welcomes all students at Laurentian.

University of Sudbury[]

The University of Sudbury Lucien Matte Residence houses 174 students in 92 single and 41 double bedrooms. The University of Sudbury, although associated with the Roman Catholic Church, welcomes those of all religions.

Huntington University[]

Huntington Residence houses 184 students in dorm-style rooms. Kitchens and TV lounges are present on both floors. The residence is located with the Academic complex which includes classrooms and a library. Huntington University is affiliated with the United Church of Canada, but does not require religious affiliation

East Residence[]

This is the newest residence on campus, completed for the 2012–2013 school year. This is a 12-story residence building and is for upper-year students (minimum 60 university credits) and has 62 self-contained apartments. Each unit has three or four single bedrooms, living room, kitchen and two bathrooms. The apartments are wired for cable TV, high-speed internet and telephone. In addition, this new residence is connected to Student Street.^[39]

Notable alumni[]

Former Laurentian University logo

• Rick Bartolucci
• Alex Baumann
• Michel Bock
• Minnijean Brown-Trickey
• Carlo Cattarello
• Leo Gerard
• Mike Harris
• Diane Marleau
• Elie Martel
• Tony Martin
• Sharon Murdock
• André Paiement
• Marie-Paule Poulin
• Tony Ruprecht
• Dave Salmoni
• Rosemary Sexton
• Derwyn Shea
• John Sola
• Sylvia Sweeney
• Shawn Swords
• Stephen Walkom
• John Willinsky
• Akolisa Ufodike
• Gary Wilson

Noted faculty[]

• Frank F. Mallory (biology) – prolific author in the field of mammalian biology, in particular lemmings, wolves, coyotes, and black bears^[40]
• Lorenzo Cadieux (history) – Jesuit priest, historian, and founder of Société historique du Nouvel-Ontario
• Robert Dickson (études françaises) – recipient of the 2002 Governor General's Award for French language poetry
• Fernand Dorais (études françaises) – founder of the Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario
• Rand Dyck (political science) – author of Canadian Politics: Critical Approaches, now in 6th Edition
• Harold Gibson (geology) – recipient of 1992 William Harvey Gross Medal and 2012 Duncan Ramsay Derry Medal of the Mineral Deposits Division of the Geological Association of Canada
• J. F. Hendry (English) – poet
• Shannon E. Hengen (English) – literary critic
• Gary Kinsman (sociology) – Canadian academic leader on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues
• C. Michael Lesher (geology) – recipient of 2007 Duncan Ramsay Derry Medal of the Mineral Deposits Division of the Geological Association of Canada
• – Jesuit priest and educator
• Melchior Mbonimpa - religious studies professor and novelist
• Graeme S. Mount (history) – prolific author on international relations
• Roger Nash (philosophy) – award-winning poet and philosopher
• Alan Nursall (science communication) – host of Daily Planet and on Discovery Channel
• B. P. Paquette (Thornloe) – multiple award-winning filmmaker
• David Pearson (geology and science communication) – recipient of 2001 Ward Neale Medal from the Geological Association of Canada, 2003 McNeil Medal from the Royal Society of Canada, and appointed to the Order of Ontario in 2016^[41]
• Michael Persinger (psychology) – neuroscientist and recipient of 2007 IFT (Leader in Faculty Teaching) award and 2007 TVO (Ontario) Best Lecturer award
• Luis Radford (education) – recipient of 2011 Hans Freudenthal Medal
• Gregory Scofield - poet
• Adam Sol – Canadian American poet

Arms[]

Coat of arms of Laurentian University hide

Notes Granted 26 March 2010 Crest A white pine tree Azure set on a rocky mount Or. Escutcheon Azure on a chevron Argent between in chief two open books Proper edged bound and clasped Or and in base a sun in splendour Or three cross-crosslets fitchy Sable. Supporters Two eagles in Anishinaabe style Argent embellished Azure and Sable. Motto Emitte Lucem Et Veritatem

See also[]

• List of Ontario universities
• Ontario Student Assistance Program
• Higher education in Ontario
• U Sports
• Canadian government scientific research organizations
• Canadian university scientific research organizations
• Canadian industrial research and development organizations

References[]

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Laurentian University.

• Official website
• Alumni@Laurentian
• Linda McGuire Ambrose (October 2010). Laurentian University: A History. McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. ISBN 978-0-7735-3772-9.