Laurentian University (Université Laurentienne), founded in 1960, is a mid-sized bilingual university in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, approximately 350 km north of Toronto. While LU's focus is primarily on undergraduate programming, the university does offer a limited number of graduate-level degrees. It is the largest bilingual provider of distance education in Canada.
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| Motto | Emitte lucem et veritatem<br\>(Send forth thy light and thy truth) |
|---|---|
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1960 |
| President | Judith Woodsworth |
| Undergraduates | 7,758 |
| Postgraduates | 515 |
| Location | , , |
| Campus | Rural, 304 ha (750 acres) |
| Mascot | Voyageur |
| Website | laurentian.ca |
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The university has a federated school structure, similar to that of the University of Toronto. The school also has an unusual and sometimes controversial student government structure — there are actually two separate student unions (in addition to the part time and graduate student associations). The Francophone Student's Association (AEF) is for francophones, while the Student's General Association (SGA) is for both anglophones and francophones. However, any student can affiliate with either union, regardless of language, and because the two unions do not offer identical student services, many students from one language group change their affiliation to the other student union depending on which services they want. Consequently, in practice the two student unions often simply compete with each other rather than serving distinct groups.
The university has great ties with the mining industry, being one of the few schools in Canada offering mining engineering and the only Canadian university located in a city where the major industry is mining. The Willett Green Miller Centre, a provincial building located on the site, is home to 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.
The university is also a key partner in the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO), the world's deepest underground laboratory that has been providing, since 1998, new clues on the composition of the sun and the origins of the universe.
In 2004, the university, along with Lakehead University, formed the Northern Ontario Medical School.
The university's campus radio station, CKLU, 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. Its varsity teams in Canadian Interuniversity Sport are the Laurentian Voyageurs and the Laurentian Lady Vees.
Undergraduate Programs
Arts
Science and Engineering
Professional Programs
Commerce
Laurentian’s School of Commerce and Administration was founded in 1960 to meet the increasing demand for business education in Canada. With a commitment to excellence in teaching, faculty are also engaged in relevant research and professional activities which inform their teaching. Laurentian has embraced the world of international business by creating and maintaining relationships with other universities around the world. Laurentian's commerce program is regarded as the best in Northern Ontario. It is modeled off of the prestigous Western University's Richard Ivey School of Business. The School of Commerce and Administration offers a wide variety of programs; from MBA's to Honours degrees in Commerce, Sport Administration, as well as degrees in E-Business. The School is a 'case school', 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 benefit from the small size classes which are essential for collaborative style of learning, groupwork and case oriented teaching methodology. They 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. Small class sizes, interesting professors and a great environment make Laurentian University's School of Commerce and Administration a great place to become a leader of tomorrow.
Education
Currently, Laurentian has both English and French language Education programs for teacher training.
In the Alphonse Raymond building, at the east end of campus, is "L`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. Students attending L'École des sciences have a variety of programs from which to choose. The school, for example, offers a traditional consecutive post-grad B.Ed., a newer concurrent B.A. Educ. degree that can be taken full or part-time, the possiblity of engaging in studies on-line, and the chance for certified teachers to complete additional qualifications. B.Ed. students who attend L`École des sciences must complete fifty 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. See http://laurentienne.ca/educ/index.htm
The English side of the Education equation has been more chequered. In 1967 Nipissing University College (with its origins in the North Bay Normal School - commonly called a "Teachers’ College" in Ontario) became affilitated with Laurentian. But in 1992 Nipissing received its own charter and Laurentian lost its formal connection to an English language school of education. More than a decade later, in September 2003, Laurentian began offering its own Bachelor of Education Program in English. This concurrent B.Ed. is a four or five year program taken along with an undergraduate degree. 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. Students generally engage in short placements (40 hours from September to April) in their second, third, and fourth year of undergraduate studies and, after completing their first degree, embark on an Initial Placement in May. The next September they return for their three Final Placements during their professional year. As a result, this program has one of the most extensive practicum experiences in Ontario. At present, the faculty is located in the Parker Building, but a new school - based on sustainable environmental principles and located across from L`École des sciences at the east end of the campus - is slated for completion in 2007. See http://laurentian.ca/education/
Master's and Ph.D. Programs
- Biology(M.Sc.)
- Chemical Sciences (M.Sc.)
- Mineral Resources Engineering (M.Eng. and M.A.Sc.)
- Geology (M.Sc.)
- History(M.A.)
- Nursing (M.Sc.)
- Human Development (M.A. and M.Sc.)
- Interdisciplinary Humanities(M.A.)
- Business Administration(M.B.A.)
- Applied Physics (M.Sc.)
- Social Work(M.S.W.)
- Applied Sociology(M.A.)
- Mineral Deposits and Precambrian Geology(Ph.D)
- Biomolecular Sciences(Ph.D)
- Natural Resources Engineering (Ph.D)
Federated Schools
- Algoma University College
- Huntington University
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine
- Université de Hearst
- Thorneloe University
- University of Sudbury
Nipissing University in North Bay, formerly a federated school of Laurentian, became an independent university in 1992.
Great Hall
The Great Hall is a multipurpose dining hall and auditorium that plays a prominant role in the life of the University. During special events, invited speakers and dignitaries may address the University population or general public from the Great Hall. Many conferences held in Sudbury may book the hall for lectures or presentations. Even bands touring Canadian campuses may schedule concerts at the Great Hall.
On a more routine basis, the Great Hall serves as the dining area of the University cafeteria, and is a popular place for student, staff, and faculty alike to grab a snack at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. (The adjacent servery features a made-to-order sandwich bar, Pizza Pizza counter, stir-fry station, grill, and baked goods stand.)
The hall's outdoor balcony has a view of the greens of the Idywylde Golf and Country Club.
Fraser Auditorium
The Fraser Auditorium in the Fraser Building is another large-volume auditorium, though it is more formal than the Great Hall and is regularly used for the larger first-year classes. The Fraser Auditorium is also used for special events and conferences, but a student's most memorable visit will likely be for convocation ceremonies, held within the auditorium each spring. In addition the Fraser Auditorium has hosted the Falconbridge Lecture Series hosting such guests as Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, and Senator Roméo Dallaire (March 2006).
Residences
Laurentian Residences The Laurentian Residences offers four 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 (SSR)
The Single Student Residence is an apartment style complex consisting of 4-6 people in personal apartment containing a living room, kitchen, storage room and washrooms. Then entire complex includes rooms for 387 students in 72 apartments. Student Street consisting of a cafeteria and store, Doctor’s office and various other services is located at the bottom of the SSR complex.
University College Residence (UC)
The University College Residence is an eleven floor tower dormitory style residence providing accommodations for 240 students in 150 apartments.
Married/Mature Student Residence (MSR)
The Mature Student Residence offers furnished apartments for those who are over 21 years of age. The Residence is generally thought of as the overall quietest at Laurentian. The rooms consist of one bedroom, a living room, bathroom and kitchen.
The West Residence
This residence is the newest residence at Laurentian, it is designed for students who have has at least two years at University. The residence will consist of same sex apartment style rooms.
Notable Alumni
- Alex Baumann
- Sylvia Sweeney
- Marie-Paule Poulin
- Rick Bartolucci
- André Paiement
- Gary Wilson
- John Sola
- Sharon Murdock
- Tony Ruprecht
- Elie Martel
- Tony Martin (politician)