UW Senate

Environmental Scan

March 28, 2011

Local Overview

Record Co-op Enrolment in Winter term

• 5,517, including 2,389 from Engineering – the most students ever employed during a work term

• Final rate of students employed or “not participating” is 95.9 per cent, down from 96.5 per cent in winter 2010

• 498 more students were scheduled out to work and 442 more students employed in comparison to this time last year

Source: The Daily Bulletin, March 4, 2011

Dr. Stephen Hawking to return for Perimeter extension grand opening

Source: The Waterloo Region Record, March 7, 2011

Local Overview

New Dean of Arts

New Conrad Grebel president

Town Hall Meeting – April 11, Humanities Theatre

Provincial Overview

Ontario Budget 2011 – March 29

High School graduation rates up

•Graduation rate was 81 per cent in 2009-2010, up from 68 per cent in 2003-2004•Represents an increase of 72,000 high school graduates•Ontario’s goal is an 85 per cent high school graduation rate

Source: Office of the Premier, March 3, 2011

Ontario university applications up

•Number of high school students applying to university is 88,626, a 2.4 per cent increase over last year•A 49 per cent increase over the year 2000

Source: The Council of Ontario Universities, January 17, 2011

National Overview

2011 Federal Budget – March 22

•$60 million over 3 years to promote increased student enrolment in disciplines relating to the digital economy (particularly STEM disciplines) and $100M per year to Canada Media Fund

•Enhancements to Canada Student Loans and Grants programs ($34 million annually once implemented)

• Full time students can earn more employment income without having loan eligibility clawed back (weekly exemption increased from $50 to $100)

• Expanding eligibility for loans and grants for part-time students

•Examination fees of $100 or more for professional status, license, or certification now covered by tuition tax credit

National Overview

2011 Federal Budget – March 22

•Creation of an India Engagement Strategy

•$10 million over two years to develop an international education strategy

•$10 million a year in tax relief to Canadian university students who study abroad

• Eligibility for tuition, textbook, and education tax credits extended to those in courses of at least 3 consecutive weeks, rather than 13 weeks

•Registered Educations Savings Plans (RESPs) asset allocation rules have changed – individual plan subscribers now have same flexibility as family plans

•Up to $40,000 ($8,000 per year) in student loan forgiveness for doctors and $20,000 ($4,000 per year) for nurses who work in remote areas

National Overview

2011 Federal Budget – March 22

•Canada Social Transfer raised from $11.2 to $11.5 billion this year•No commitment on shape of transfers after 2013-2014

$20M investment in Pathways to Education Program

•Investment over 4 years in Pathways to Education Canada

•Supports Pathways to Education’s 5-year ‘Graduation Nation’ initiative

•Will establish programs in 20 high-need communities by 2016, supporting more than 10,000 students

Source: Pathways to Education Canada, March 3, 2011

International Overview

Times Higher Education Reputation Ranking

•University of Waterloo is in the top 100 in the world (91st)•Four Canadian universities made the cut:

• University of Toronto (17th)• McGill (29th)• University of British Columbia (31st)

Source: Times Higher Education Top Universities by Reputation 2011

International Migrant Integration Policy Index

•Canada ranks 3rd in integrating newcomers•Canada was ranked 5th in 2008•Tied with USA in 1st for programs and laws fighting discrimination and promoting equality•Canada performed very well in education category (1st to 3rd place finishes)

Source: The Toronto Star, February 28, 2011