Simon Fraser University encyclopedia topics

Overview

SFU has been rated as Canada's best comprehensive university (1993, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2000) in the annual rankings of Canadian universities in Maclean's magazine and has consistently placed at or near the top of the publication's national evaluations. Research Infosource, Canada’s leading provider of research intelligence evaluation, named SFU the top comprehensive university in Canada for “publication effectiveness” in 2006.

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

Its programs are organized in six faculties: Applied Sciences, Arts and Social Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Health Sciences, and Science.

In May 2004, the SFU Senate approved the policy on compulsory degree 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.

History

Simon Fraser University is a non-denominational institution founded in Burnaby, British Columbia in 1963. The university was named after Simon Fraser, an explorer. Undergraduate and graduate programs operate on a year-round tri-semester schedule.

Population and notable alumni

SFU is home to about 30,442 students: 26,332 undergraduates and 4,110 graduates. The university has grown in recent years, and currently has an alumni population of 92,000. About 1,095 academics and 4,621 staff work for the university. International students make up 7% of its student body.

Teaching Assistants, Tutor Markers, Sessional Instructors, and Language Instructors at SFU are unionized. The union, The Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU), 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 was a member of the Canadian Federation of Students, but students voted in a referendum in March 2008 to leave the organization.

Locally and internationally famous alumni include ex-B.C. Lion and Canadian football Hall-of-Famer Lui Passaglia, FOX News and CNN TV personality and political commentator Rachel Marsden, Olympic wrestler and politician Daniel Igali, artist David Usher, photographer and former spouse of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, Margaret Trudeau, British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell, and former Premiers Glen Clark and Ujjal Dosanjh.

Minh Le, while in his last year as a Computing Science student at the university, co-created the popular spin-off from the Half-Life series of computer games, Counter-Strike, which took the gaming world by storm in 2000.

Francesco Aquilini graduated from Simon Fraser University with a degree in Business Administration. He is the Managing Director of Vancouver-based Aquilini Investment Group and is the current owner of the Vancouver Canucks and GM Place.

Right-wing political analyst Rachel Marsden also graduated from SFU in the 1990s after a sexual harassment scandal with a swim coach. The incident, which led to the resignation of President John Stubbs, is one of the most highly publicised incidents ever to take place at SFU.

Probably the most highly regarded SFU alumnus and one of Canada's most treasured sons is Terry Fox. When Terry was an 18-year-old Kinesiology student and junior varsity basketball player he was diagnosed with bone cancer, which resulted in the amputation of his leg. With a prosthetic leg, Fox set out to cross Canada on a grueling run called the Marathon of Hope to raise funding and awareness about cancer. As a result of Terry Fox's legacy, running for charitable causes is now integrated within communities worldwide. He also inspired friend Rick Hansen's Man in Motion world tour by wheelchair. 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, Douglas Coupland, Romeo Dallaire, Canadian businessman Stephen Jarislowsky.

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. The downtown campus has expanded to include several other buildings in recent years , including the Segal Graduate School of Business on Granville,and is now known officially as SFU Vancouver. SFU is also a partner institution in Great Northern Way Campus Ltd 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 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. In addition to the the remarkable architectural designs, a significant portion of the campus is actually located underground.

At present, the part of Burnaby Mountain below SFU is a park and 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 new residential and commercial area occupying approximately 200 acres adjacent to the campus, atop the mountain, called UniverCity. The area 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 2007, approximately 1200 residences, and The Cornerstone building, which includes restaurants, shops, services and rental apartments are complete. Construction of another two mid-rise residential buildings (141 homes), a mixed-use building similar to The Cornerstone, and a 1400 car multi-level parkade will begin Spring 2007. The development is noted for the first community transit pass program in Canada, and a 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, a Museum of Archeology and Ethnology 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 an affiliation agreement with a private college for international students to be housed adjacent to its Burnaby campus. This new college named Fraser International College is now open in the Multi Tenant Facility located in Discovery Parks Trust SFU site.

Canadian Centre for Studies in Publishing

The CCSP is a teaching, research, and information centre based at Simon Fraser University Vancouver's Harbour Centre building. Founded in 1987, the CCSP is a university/industry initiative dedicated to the development of publishing in Canada and internationally. It is advised by an industry board and emphasizes book, magazine, and web publishing.

Electronic Document Centre

The SFU Library Electronic Document Centre provides internet access to digitized documents from a number of archival collections, such as Harrison Brown's Xi'an Incident collection, and the history of British Columbia and Western Canada in general, including documents from the Doukhobor migration from the Russian Empire to Saskatchewan and then to British Columbia assembled for donation to the university by John Keenlyside

Aboriginal

Simon Fraser University developed governing board and senate policies as well as Aboriginal governed councils within the university structure. Simon Fraser University provides services to Aboriginal people in more remote communities. Simon Fraser University designed programs to meet the knowledge needs of First Nations, Métis and Inuit, for example, by providing certificates of language proficiency in eight Aboriginal languages.

Activities and sports

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

CJSF-FM radio is the school's radio station, broadcasting from 90.1 FM to Burnaby and surrounding communities, online at www.cjsf.ca or on cable at 93.9 FM.

The school's sports teams are called the Simon Fraser Clan, and the mascot is a Scottish Terrier named "McFog the Dog". 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 U.S. 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, among others.

Many SFU athletes have also participated in Olympic Games, including medal winners Daniel Igali (gold, wrestling), Jay Triano (basketball, captain), 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).

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 the Vancouver 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 and Sperling-Burnaby Lake SkyTrain stations.

Most Simon Fraser students are commuters who live in the area, but residence housing facilities accommodate nearly 2,200. The final tower of a new three building residence project opened in the Fall of 2005 at the Burnaby campus.

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

Residences

The Towers

Three 8-floor towers, currently called Barbara Rae House, B, and D
Tailored for first-year students
Co-ed traditional residences
Accommodating 713 students in single rooms
Co-ed Bathrooms
Tower B hosts the Simon Hotel

Madge Hogarth House

Currently being used for guest accommodations (conference guests)

Shell House

Co-ed traditional residences
There are private rooms
Accommodating 143 students
Named after the Shell Oil Company.

McTaggart-Cowan Hall

Co-ed traditional residences
Shared kitchens and co-ed bathrooms
Accommodating 200 students in single rooms

Townhouse Complex (quad units)

Nine buildings each consists of eleven townhouse units
Each unit has four private bedrooms, kitchen, and living area
Accommodating 396 students

Hamilton Hall

Studio-style 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 the new single room residences have no kitchen facilities, students in these residences are on a required meal plan offered in the New Residence Dining Hall.

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.

Dean of Graduate Studies Office

The Dean of Graduate Studies Office is responsible for ensuring compliance to approved graduate studies standards, administering merit-based graduate awards and maintaining formal student records.

The City Program

The City Program, established in 1992, explores urban issues through mid-career professional development courses, public lectures and an Urban Design Certificate Program, the first of its kind in Canada. As a unit of Continuing Studies, it does not offer credit courses.

The City Program also publishes an e-magazine, SFU City, that explores topical issues and highlights upcoming programs, available for downloading on its web site. Publications, podcasts and videos of past events are also available.

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) [On 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) [On 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 located in Central City, an award-winning architectural complex adjacent to the Surrey Central SkyTrain station. Previously, SFU Surrey occupied the former TechBC facilities in a converted Zellers store in the Surrey Place mall. However, in Fall 2006 it opened its doors to the new mezzanine, galleria 3 and podium (home to the library and specialized SIAT multimedia labs). Galleria 4, home to Computing Science and other applied sciences programs such as the new Mechatronics program, was opened in February of 2007 and Galleria 5 was opened in Fall 2007. The fifth and final floor hosts the Faculty of Business, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the TechOne program, among others. Five classrooms, two seminar rooms, and five research labs for graduate students. It also has a media rich 150 seat policy/conference room, approximating the Canfor Policy Room at the downtown campus. The Westminster Savings Credit Union Theater, seating 200, opened in the fall of 2005 and has been used for public forums and community events as well as classes.

Programs

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

Applied Science: TechOne (First year) , Computing Science, Interactive Arts and Technology , Mechatronic Systems Engineering
Business Administration (concentrations in Entrepreneurship, Management and Technology, Finance, and Marketing are at the Surrey campus)
Arts and Social Science: Explorations in the Liberal Arts (first two years of an Arts major)
Education offers the Professional Development Program (teaching certification) for K-12 teachers, as well as graduate programs in Counselling Psychology, Educational Leadership and Educational Technology (Master's and Ph.D.).
Science: Science Year One, Life Sciences Year Two, Mathematics, and Management and Systems Science.

Cohort Programs

SFU Surrey currently offers three first-year cohort programs: TechOne, Science Year One and Explorations in the Arts and Social Sciences.
It also offers Science Year Two as a follow-up to Science Year One.
In the near future there will also be a cohort program for the Criminology program.

Discipline-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 and Technology (SIAT).

Coat of Arms and logo

The school's original coat of arms was used from the university's inception until 2006, at which point the Board of Governors voted to adapt the old coat of arms and thereby register a second coat of arms. The adaptation replaced two crosslets with books after some in the university asserted the crosses had misled prospective foreign students into believing SFU was a private, religious institution rather than a public, secular one. The change caused an uproar among alumni, students, campus staff and others, who viewed it as a betrayal of the university's history and symbolism.

In early 2007, SFU decided to register both the old coat of arms and the revised coat of arms featuring the books. In 2007, a new marketing logo was unveiled. The coat of arms will still be used on all official documents, such as degrees and transcripts, and by the president's and chancellor's offices. The logo will be used for all other forms of communication.

Appearances in popular culture

Due to the contemporary architecture of the Academic Quadrangle, the main campus is occasionally used for location shots in science fiction television series such as Stargate SG-1 and Battlestar Galactica. Its first use as a film set was for the 1972 science fiction film The Groundstar Conspiracy, in which the entire campus complex was used. The AQ also served as a backdrop for shots of "headquarters" in the television series The X-Files. Recently, in addition to other Vancouver-area landmarks, many parts of the Burnaby campus were used for the filming of the movie The 6th Day as well as "Agent Cody Banks". In early 2008, the Burnaby campus was again used for filming, this time for The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008 Remake).