University of Ottawa
Encyclopedia
The University of Ottawa (also known as Ottawa U, uOttawa, and U of O) is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa
, Ontario
. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada
. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
. Formerly a liberal arts
college, it has been teaching pure and applied sciences in both English
and French
since the 19th century. The institution received university status in 1866 and in 1889 was decreed a pontifical university by Pope Leo XIII.
The university has been conferring Bachelor's degree
s since 1872, Master's degree
s since 1875, and Doctorate
s since 1888. Saint Paul University
is federated with the university and is also located in the city of Ottawa.
The enabling legislation is The University of Ottawa Act, 1965.
The University of Ottawa is ranked 5th in research-intensity, and 9th in total research funding
in Canada. It is a member of the U15, a league of the most research-intensive universities in the country. It is known for its areas of studies in Medicine, Sciences, Law, Political Science and International Affairs.
The University of Ottawa was founded in 1848 as the Roman Catholic College of Bytown by Monseigneur
Joseph-Bruno Guigues
, OMI
.
The college was originally for boys only and taught a classical liberal arts curriculum. Morning classes were taught in French and afternoon classes in English.
The campus was originally located in the Lower Town
district of the city of Bytown
on the site of what is now the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
. One of the original buildings still stands at the intersection of Sussex Drive and Guigues Avenue. The college moved to its current location in Sandy Hill
in 1856 when land was donated by notary Louis T. Besserer.
On August 15, 1861, the College of Ottawa became the College of Ottawa.
In 1866 the college received a Royal charter
from London, England to become the University of Ottawa.
In 1889, the University of Ottawa was granted a pontifical charter
by Pope Leo XIII
to grant degrees in philosophy, theology and canon law. The pontifical charter would later be transferred to Saint Paul University
during a reorganization in 1965.
The Main Academic Building was constructed in various stages between 1865 and 1885 and was destroyed by fire in 2 December 1903. The 300,000 volume library was destroyed in the fire in 1903.
Louis Zephirin Gauthier (architect) designed the Science Hall on Wilbrod Street, (1899-1900).
Albert Olszewski Von Herbulis (architect) designed a new campus plan (1904), the Main Beaux-Arts Arts and Sciences Building (1904-05) and addition wings of Tabaret Hall (1922-3).
Academic Hall was completed in 1901 and still stands to this day as one of the oldest buildings still in use by the university. The Main Academic Building was rebuilt in various stages from 1905 to 1931. The design for the new building was inspired by the Capitol Building
in Washington
by architect A. O. Von Herbulis. The building was renamed in 1971 to Tabaret Hall in honour of Father
Joseph-Henri Tabaret, OMI.
Women began attending classes on campus in 1919.
In 1935, the Catholic Centre was organized at the University of Ottawa. In 1939 the Canadian Officers' Training Corps and the Royal Canadian Air Force
began using some of the university's facilities. In 1942, temporary military barracks were constructed on campus for the Canadian Women's Army Corps
. A total of 1158 students and alumni enlisted in the war effort.
The University of Ottawa was restructured and made non-denominational in 1965. The Ontario legislature passed the University of Ottawa Act in 1965, making the university a provincially funded institution. Saint Paul University
was founded at this time and the university's theology programs were transferred.
In March 2010, a speech by conservative American columnist Ann Coulter
on the Ottawa campus was cancelled by her security staff due to student protests. University vice-president and provost Francois Houle had previously sent Coulter an email warning that hate speech
could lead to criminal charges
. Coulter criticised the university for intimidation, accusing Houle of "promoting hatred against [...] conservatives
", and it was subsequently revealed that president Allan Rock
had strong internal opposition to her views.
The average entering grade as of the Fall 2008 was 81.6%, of which 33.6% of students had an average of 85% or higher. However, the minimum entrance average for most undergraduate programs is only 70%, which is far lower than that required for top universities in the area.
The largest faculties by number of students are Social Sciences (22.7%) and Arts (19.6%). The remaining students are mostly enrolled in the faculties of Health Sciences (12.2%), Science (10.7%) and Management (10 %). The faculties of Engineering, Medicine
, Education, Law
and Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies make up the remaining 25% of students.
The Biomedical Science program boasts a highly flexible curriculum that allows students to customize their education. Its limited enrolment ensures that students entering the program will be responsible enough to plan their degree strategically.
The university launched Canada's first program in biopharmaceutical
sciences.
The National Program of the university's Faculty of Law
allows students to receive both a civil law and common law degree in four years.
The university is partnered with The Ottawa Hospital
as well as the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
as teaching hospitals. Students also get exposure to Montfort Hospital
in Ottawa and the Centre Hospitalier des Vallées de l'Outaouais hospitals in the Gatineau/Hull area.
The university's faculty of engineering is accredited by the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers in the following disciplines: Chemical Engineering
, Civil Engineering
, Computer Engineering
, Electrical Engineering
, Mechanical Engineering
and Software Engineering
.
Of the total student population, 69.4% of students use English and 30.6% use French as their primary language of communication with the university. The university offers a French immersion study program that includes a French immersion designation on the student's diploma, as well as the option to obtain a Second Language Certificate in French. A Second Language Certificate can also be obtained in English. The university allows students to produce their work in French or English regardless of the language of instruction of the course, with the exception of language courses.
The university is federated
with the Catholic
Saint Paul University
(French: Université Saint Paul), which has faculties of Canon Law
, Human Sciences
, Philosophy
and Theology
.
, in citations per paper (highest impact) from 2000-2004 by Science Watch newsletter, published by Thomson Scientific
in 2005, which uses university science indicators to examine the research of 46 Canadian universities in 21 different scientific fields.
The 2004 Financial Times
global survey of EMBA
programs ranked the U of O Executive MBA 65th out of 220 worldwide. The EMBA program also scored a "Best in Canada" distinction across three categories in "career progress achieved by graduates", "calibre of program faculty", and "international component of its curriculum (ranked among the top 10 in the world)". In the 2007 rankings, the university placed 87th out of the top 90 EMBA programs.
The Corporate Knights
magazine 2005 survey of business schools ranked the university’s undergraduate program 4th in Canada. In the 2007 survey of business and law rankings, the undergraduate business program placed 10th, and the University of Ottawa's Common Law
program was ranked 1st in Canada. The rankings use additional components of social and environmental impact management infused into their curricula.
In the Times Higher Education World University rankings for 2011-12, the University of Ottawa was ranked 185th overall (first time in the top 200), and placing 9th overall in Canada.
The 2008 international table "Academic Ranking of World Universities" produced by Shanghai Jiao Tong University
rated University of Ottawa in the 7-18 bracket nationally, and in the top 201-302 of 500 universities in the world. In the THES - QS World University Rankings
of the top 500 universities in the world for 2009, the University of Ottawa placed 226th, and 13th overall in Canada
In 2005, the School of Management was featured in the Princeton Review’s Best 143 Business Schools Worldwide, which produces test preparation, such as the SAT's and information regarding college admissions.
The University has often fielded some of the top student debaters in the world. In 1981 and 1982 Martin LaPlante and Michael McCulloch of the university were finalists in the World Universities Debating Championship
. In 2005, the University of Ottawa won the World Universities Debating Championship, defeating the University of Cambridge
, University of Oxford
and University of Toronto
in the final. The winning team from the university consisted of Jamie Furniss and Erik Eastaugh.
The Maclean's
2010 university ranking guide, that takes a measure of the "undergraduate experience", ranked the school 11th in the Medical Doctoral peer grouping.
Maclean's also published their first Law School
rankings in 2007, which the university placed 1st in National Reach, 3rd in Supreme Court Clerkships, and 4th Overall in Canada for their Common Law Program. In the Civil Law Program, the school placed 1st in National Reach, 1st in Supreme Court Clerkships, and 2nd Overall.
In August 2006, the University of Ottawa announced, along with 10 other Canadian universities, that it disagreed with the ranking of Canadian universities as put forth by Maclean's
magazine. The universities will be in a sense boycotting their rankings by refusing to participate in future surveys by the magazine. The reason for the boycott
is that the university disagrees with the methodology used in reaching the ranking.
The university has an office of Technology Transfer and Business Enterprise
designed to set up contract research, manage intellectual property and develop external partnerships for research work.
The university houses over twenty research centres and institutes and is affiliated with several research institutes in the Ottawa area. The faculty of medicine is affiliated with the Ottawa Health Research Institute
, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute
and the University of Ottawa Eye Institute among others.
The university is a member of the High Performance Computing Virtual Laboratory
(HPCVL), led by Queen's University. The HPCVL mission is to provide supercomputer power to a number of universities in Eastern Ontario: Queen's University
, Royal Military College of Canada
, the University of Ottawa and Carleton University
. Researchers are provided with the computational power needed to solve increasingly complex problems.
, which was founded in 1936, deals with French Canadian civilization, literature, philosophy, medieval studies, translation studies, law, the social sciences, the physical sciences and engineering.
The university is situated near downtown Ottawa. It is within walking distance of the Rideau Canal
, Sandy Hill, Rideau Centre
, Byward Market
, National Arts Centre
, Supreme Court of Canada
, Government agencies, and Parliament Hill
. The university is also serviced by the OC Transpo
transit system which links the campus to a wide range of amenities in the City of Ottawa.
(SFUO) claims to represent undegraduate students of the university, while the Graduate Students' Association des étudiant.e.s diplômé.e.s (GSAÉD) claims to represent its graduate students.
On April 9, 2008, the university presented a draft version of a Non-Academic Student Code of Conduct. Students held a rally in opposition of the proposed code, with representatives from the two student associations stating that it had the potential to stifle student dissent and the rights of students for free speech with respect to university affairs. Around 3000 out of 43000 students signed a petition against the code of conduct and hundreds participated in the April 25 rally. As of August 2008, the university announced the draft code has been abandoned in favour of a "different solution that will be created and agreed upon by all members of the university community, including students, professors, staff and the University administration".
The solution adopted by the University of Ottawa to replace the non-academic student code of conduct was announced on December 4, 2008 with the launch of a web site outlining a new Declaration of Rights for members of the University community.
in English and La Rotonde
in French. There also exists a bilingual video production house called Zoom Productions and a campus radio
station, CHUO
where actor/comedian Tom Green
and model/MTV VJ Quddus
both hosted late-night shows at different times for several years. The Undergraduate English Students' Association publishes the arts and literary journal Ottawa Arts Review.
The main residential complex (including 90 University, Stanton, and Marchand) is open during the summer as a hotel to independent travellers, conference attendees, school groups, and others. Additionally, the 20th floor of 90 University is open year-round as a short-term hotel, catering particularly to visiting professors and researchers.
Is not unusual that last minute students, unavailable to secure on-campus residence, are housed at Saint Paul University
's suite-style residence opened in 2006 on the campus of Saint Paul University, which is federated with the University of Ottawa. Saint Paul University is located at 200 Main Street, a 15 minute walk from the main campus or a 5 minute shuttle ride.
Recently the university has been featured in national coverage criticizing the residence system, particularly drugs, cleaning and upkeep of housing from year to year.
The university is represented in Canadian Interuniversity Sport
by the Ottawa Gee-Gees. The University of Ottawa competes in basketball, ice hockey, Canadian football, rugby, soccer, swimming, volleyball, and track and field.
The Gee-Gees football team won the national championship, the Vanier Cup, in 1975 and 2000 and also appeared in the championship game in 1970, 1980, and 1997. In 2010 the Gee-Gees quarterback, Brad Sinopoli, won the Hec Crighton Award for the CIS Most Outstanding Player. Brad had 2756 passing yards, 22 TDs, 13 INTs, and a pass completion rating of 61.1%.
Prior to the formation of the CFL, Ottawa won the Ontario Rugby Football Union
Championship in 1885, 1886, 1887, 1888, 1889 and the Quebec Rugby Football Union
Championship in 1894, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1899, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904. They also won the Canadian Dominion Football Championship
in 1886, 1887, 1888, 1894, 1896, 1897, 1901.
Prior to adopting the current mascot, students used the university's colours, garnet and grey, to refer to the school's sports teams. The abbreviation of the two colors, GG, eventually developed into the Gee-Gee mascot used today. The term gee-gee is a UK colloquialism for 'a horse.'
, for the families of fallen Canadian Forces
members.
In 1965, the “Université d’Ottawa - University of Ottawa” was created by an act of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. With its new provincial charter as a publicly-funded institution, the University was given the dual mandate of furthering bilingualism and biculturalism, as well as preserving and developing the French culture in Ontario and in Canada.
The University of Ottawa implemented a policy on promoting bilingualism in 1974. Today, students have the choice to study in English, French, or both depending on their programme of study. Controversy has arisen over the years regarding implementing a course to be taught in both languages over alternating years, and eliminating English courses altogether in some faculties.
A study of full professors' employment contracts carried out by the Human Resources Service as part of Vision 2010 concluded that about half of the professors are actively bilingual when they are hired. Ninety-seven percent of support-staff positions are designated as “actively bilingual” and 93% of these positions are held by bilingual staff.
From time to time the bilingual nature of the University of Ottawa has been the subject of linguistic debate. For example in October 2005, the Canadian French newspaper Le Droit
reported on an internal memo to University of Ottawa recruiting officers heading to a recruitment fair in Toronto who were directed to speak solely in English while manning the booth. This sparked debate on the widely-held perception that students must speak French to study at the University of Ottawa. In fact just under 70 per cent of University of Ottawa students are anglophones, but most of the administration employees are francophones.
In March 2006, an open letter appeared in Le Droit signed by several University of Ottawa professors voicing their concerns on the status of French at the university. In the ensuing weeks, opinion pieces and letters to the editor ignited vigorous debate.
In June 2006, the university established a Task Force on Programs and Services in French mandated to submit to the senate a development plan for programs and services in French for 2007-2012 that will help the university fully assume its mission and commitment to promote and develop French culture in Ontario. A final report will be submitted to the senate in the spring of 2007.
The university is a member of L'Association des universités de la francophonie canadienne, a network of academic institutions of the Canadian Francophonie.
129.2 million.
In the 2006-2007 fiscal year, approximately 61% of the university's sources of funding were from operating and research grants. Tuition made up approximately 23%. Remaining sources of funding included investment income, donations, student housing, capital grants and sale of services, among other items.
The university also reported that over half of the expenditures for 2006-2007 were related to salaries and benefits. Buildings, renovations, furniture, equipment and supplies collectively made up 23.3%. Scholarships and bursaries made up 5.9%.
In May 2007, the university surpassed their fund raising campaign goal of $200 million a year ahead of schedule. Alumnus Ian Telfer, CEO of Goldcorp Inc., presented the school with a $25 million gift which put their total fund raising campaign to $226 million. The gift by Telfer was also the biggest donation in history made to a Canadian business school.
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate is a missionary religious congregation in the Catholic Church. It was founded on January 25, 1816 by Saint Eugene de Mazenod, a French priest born in Aix-en-Provence in the south of France on August 1, 1782. The congregation was given recognition by Pope...
. Formerly a liberal arts
Liberal arts
The term liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free citizen to study. Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic were the core liberal arts. In medieval times these subjects were extended to include mathematics, geometry, music and astronomy...
college, it has been teaching pure and applied sciences in both English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
since the 19th century. The institution received university status in 1866 and in 1889 was decreed a pontifical university by Pope Leo XIII.
The university has been conferring Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
s since 1872, Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
s since 1875, and Doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
s since 1888. Saint Paul University
Saint Paul University
Saint Paul University is a Catholic Pontifical university federated with the University of Ottawa. It is located on Main Street in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and has been entrusted for more than a century to the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
is federated with the university and is also located in the city of Ottawa.
The enabling legislation is The University of Ottawa Act, 1965.
The University of Ottawa is ranked 5th in research-intensity, and 9th in total research funding
Research funding
Research funding is a term generally covering any funding for scientific research, in the areas of both "hard" science and technology and social science. The term often connotes funding obtained through a competitive process, in which potential research projects are evaluated and only the most...
in Canada. It is a member of the U15, a league of the most research-intensive universities in the country. It is known for its areas of studies in Medicine, Sciences, Law, Political Science and International Affairs.
History
Monseigneur
Monseigneur is an honorific in the French language. It has occasional English use as well, as it may be a title before the name of a French prelate, a member of a royal family or other dignitary. Also it is sometimes used as a name for a Frenchman who has a position on the court.Monsignor is both...
Joseph-Bruno Guigues
Joseph-Bruno Guigues
Joseph-Bruno Guigues, , was an Oblate priest, a teacher and became the first bishop of the diocese of Bytown serving from...
, OMI
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate is a missionary religious congregation in the Catholic Church. It was founded on January 25, 1816 by Saint Eugene de Mazenod, a French priest born in Aix-en-Provence in the south of France on August 1, 1782. The congregation was given recognition by Pope...
.
The college was originally for boys only and taught a classical liberal arts curriculum. Morning classes were taught in French and afternoon classes in English.
The campus was originally located in the Lower Town
Lower Town
Lowertown is a district in the central area of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada to the east of downtown. It is bounded roughly by Rideau Street to the south, Sussex Drive and Ottawa River to the north, the Rideau Canal to the west, and the Rideau River to the east...
district of the city of Bytown
Bytown
Bytown is the former name of Ottawa, Canada's capital city. It was founded on on September 26, 1826, incorporated as a town on January 1, 1850, and superseded by the incorporation of the City of Ottawa on January 1, 1855. The founding was marked by a sod turning, and a letter from Governor General...
on the site of what is now the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
The Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica is an ecclesiastic basilica in Ottawa, Canada located on 375 Sussex Drive in the Lower Town neighbourhood. It was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1990.-History and architecture:...
. One of the original buildings still stands at the intersection of Sussex Drive and Guigues Avenue. The college moved to its current location in Sandy Hill
Sandy Hill
Sandy Hill is a bilingual neighbourhood in Ottawa, Ontario located just east of downtown. The neighbourhood is bordered on the west by the Rideau Canal and on the east by the Rideau River. To the north it stretches to Rideau Street and the Byward Market area while to the south it is bordered by...
in 1856 when land was donated by notary Louis T. Besserer.
On August 15, 1861, the College of Ottawa became the College of Ottawa.
In 1866 the college received a Royal charter
Royal Charter
A royal charter is a formal document issued by a monarch as letters patent, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities or universities. Charters should be distinguished from warrants and...
from London, England to become the University of Ottawa.
In 1889, the University of Ottawa was granted a pontifical charter
Pontifical university
A pontifical university is a Catholic University established by and directly under the authority of the Holy See. It is licensed to grant academic degrees in sacred faculties, the most important of which are Sacred Theology, Canon Law, Sacred Scripture and...
by Pope Leo XIII
Pope Leo XIII
Pope Leo XIII , born Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci to an Italian comital family, was the 256th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, reigning from 1878 to 1903...
to grant degrees in philosophy, theology and canon law. The pontifical charter would later be transferred to Saint Paul University
Saint Paul University
Saint Paul University is a Catholic Pontifical university federated with the University of Ottawa. It is located on Main Street in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and has been entrusted for more than a century to the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
during a reorganization in 1965.
The Main Academic Building was constructed in various stages between 1865 and 1885 and was destroyed by fire in 2 December 1903. The 300,000 volume library was destroyed in the fire in 1903.
Louis Zephirin Gauthier (architect) designed the Science Hall on Wilbrod Street, (1899-1900).
Albert Olszewski Von Herbulis (architect) designed a new campus plan (1904), the Main Beaux-Arts Arts and Sciences Building (1904-05) and addition wings of Tabaret Hall (1922-3).
Academic Hall was completed in 1901 and still stands to this day as one of the oldest buildings still in use by the university. The Main Academic Building was rebuilt in various stages from 1905 to 1931. The design for the new building was inspired by the Capitol Building
United States Capitol
The United States Capitol is the meeting place of the United States Congress, the legislature of the federal government of the United States. Located in Washington, D.C., it sits atop Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall...
in Washington
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
by architect A. O. Von Herbulis. The building was renamed in 1971 to Tabaret Hall in honour of Father
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
Joseph-Henri Tabaret, OMI.
Women began attending classes on campus in 1919.
In 1935, the Catholic Centre was organized at the University of Ottawa. In 1939 the Canadian Officers' Training Corps and the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
began using some of the university's facilities. In 1942, temporary military barracks were constructed on campus for the Canadian Women's Army Corps
Canadian Women's Army Corps
The Canadian Women's Army Corps was a non-combatant branch of the Canadian Army for women established during World War II to release men from those non-combatant roles in the Canadian armed forces as part of expanding Canada's war effort. Most women served in Canada but some served overseas, most...
. A total of 1158 students and alumni enlisted in the war effort.
The University of Ottawa was restructured and made non-denominational in 1965. The Ontario legislature passed the University of Ottawa Act in 1965, making the university a provincially funded institution. Saint Paul University
Saint Paul University
Saint Paul University is a Catholic Pontifical university federated with the University of Ottawa. It is located on Main Street in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and has been entrusted for more than a century to the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
was founded at this time and the university's theology programs were transferred.
In March 2010, a speech by conservative American columnist Ann Coulter
Ann Coulter
Ann Hart Coulter is an American lawyer, conservative social and political commentator, author, and syndicated columnist. She frequently appears on television, radio, and as a speaker at public events and private events...
on the Ottawa campus was cancelled by her security staff due to student protests. University vice-president and provost Francois Houle had previously sent Coulter an email warning that hate speech
Hate speech
Hate speech is, outside the law, any communication that disparages a person or a group on the basis of some characteristic such as race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, or other characteristic....
could lead to criminal charges
Hate speech laws in Canada
Hate speech laws in Canada include provisions in the Criminal Code of Canada, provisions in the Human Rights Act and in other federal legislation, and statutory provisions in each of Canada's ten provinces and three territories...
. Coulter criticised the university for intimidation, accusing Houle of "promoting hatred against [...] conservatives
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
", and it was subsequently revealed that president Allan Rock
Allan Rock
Allan Michael Rock, PC is a lawyer, former Canadian politician, diplomat and now the President of University of Ottawa. He was Canada's ambassador to the United Nations and had previously served in the Cabinet of Jean Chrétien, most notably as Justice Minister and Health Minister .Rock was...
had strong internal opposition to her views.
Academics
The largest faculties by number of students are Social Sciences (22.7%) and Arts (19.6%). The remaining students are mostly enrolled in the faculties of Health Sciences (12.2%), Science (10.7%) and Management (10 %). The faculties of Engineering, Medicine
Faculty of Medicine - University of Ottawa
The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa is a bilingual medical school in Ottawa, Canada . It is located at a campus centred around Roger-Guindon Hall in the east end of Ottawa and is attached to the Ottawa Hospital's General Campus...
, Education, Law
University of Ottawa Law
The University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law, sometimes colloquially known as U of O Law, is the law school of the University of Ottawa, located in Ottawa, Ontario. The University of Ottawa Law School is one of Canada's most influential, having produced lawyers throughout French and English Canada...
and Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies make up the remaining 25% of students.
The Biomedical Science program boasts a highly flexible curriculum that allows students to customize their education. Its limited enrolment ensures that students entering the program will be responsible enough to plan their degree strategically.
The university launched Canada's first program in biopharmaceutical
Biopharmaceutical
Biopharmaceuticals are medical drugs produced using biotechnology. They include proteins , nucleic acids and living microorganisms like virus and bacteria where the virulence of viruses and bacteria is reduced by the process of attenuation, they can be used for therapeutic or in vivo diagnostic...
sciences.
The National Program of the university's Faculty of Law
University of Ottawa Law
The University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law, sometimes colloquially known as U of O Law, is the law school of the University of Ottawa, located in Ottawa, Ontario. The University of Ottawa Law School is one of Canada's most influential, having produced lawyers throughout French and English Canada...
allows students to receive both a civil law and common law degree in four years.
The university is partnered with The Ottawa Hospital
The Ottawa Hospital
The Ottawa Hospital or L'Hôpital d'Ottawa is a major, non-profit, public, university teaching hospital in Ottawa made up of the former Grace Hospital, Riverside Hospital, Ottawa General Hospital and Ottawa Civic Hospital. It is a 1,195-bed academic health sciences centre...
as well as the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario is a major children's hospital and university teaching hospital in Ottawa, Ontario, serving Eastern Ontario and western Quebec. It is affiliated with The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa, and is funded by the provincial Government of Ontario...
as teaching hospitals. Students also get exposure to Montfort Hospital
Montfort Hospital
The Montfort Hospital is a hospital in Ottawa, Canada. It is noted for being the only fully bilingual hospital in the province of Ontario.The hospital was founded in 1953 by the Filles de la Sagesse Catholic order and was named after one of its founders Saint Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort. It...
in Ottawa and the Centre Hospitalier des Vallées de l'Outaouais hospitals in the Gatineau/Hull area.
The university's faculty of engineering is accredited by the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers in the following disciplines: Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineering
Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with physical science , and life sciences with mathematics and economics, to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms...
, Civil Engineering
Civil engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
, Computer Engineering
Computer engineering
Computer engineering, also called computer systems engineering, is a discipline that integrates several fields of electrical engineering and computer science required to develop computer systems. Computer engineers usually have training in electronic engineering, software design, and...
, Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineering
Electrical engineering is a field of engineering that generally deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. The field first became an identifiable occupation in the late nineteenth century after commercialization of the electric telegraph and electrical...
, Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
and Software Engineering
Software engineering
Software Engineering is the application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software, and the study of these approaches; that is, the application of engineering to software...
.
Of the total student population, 69.4% of students use English and 30.6% use French as their primary language of communication with the university. The university offers a French immersion study program that includes a French immersion designation on the student's diploma, as well as the option to obtain a Second Language Certificate in French. A Second Language Certificate can also be obtained in English. The university allows students to produce their work in French or English regardless of the language of instruction of the course, with the exception of language courses.
The university is federated
Federated school
An affiliated school is an educational institution that operates independently, but also has a formal collaborative agreement with another, usually larger institution that may have some level of control or influence over its academic policies, standards or programs.While a university may have one...
with the Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
Saint Paul University
Saint Paul University
Saint Paul University is a Catholic Pontifical university federated with the University of Ottawa. It is located on Main Street in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and has been entrusted for more than a century to the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
(French: Université Saint Paul), which has faculties of Canon Law
Canon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
, Human Sciences
Human Science
Human science refers to the investigation of human life and activities via a phenomenological methodology that acknowledges the validity of both sensory and psychological experience...
, Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
and Theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
.
Rankings
The University of Ottawa's medical school received an A+ in its 2010 review conducted by the CACMS. It also had the highest percentage of medical graduates to be matched to their first choice specialities in Canada. The University of Ottawa's department of Chemistry was ranked third out of the only canadian universities to be known world-wide for excellence in chemistry. Its department of neurosciences is ranked 1st in Canada, and 2nd in clinical medicineClinical Medicine
Clinical Medicine is a peer-reviewed medical journal published bimonthly by the Royal College of Physicians. It was established in 1966 as the Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of London. It was doubly named between 1998 and 2000, and since 2001 it has appeared as Clinical Medicine. Its...
, in citations per paper (highest impact) from 2000-2004 by Science Watch newsletter, published by Thomson Scientific
Thomson Scientific & Healthcare
Thomson Scientific & Healthcare was a division of the Thomson Corporation until 2006.The division then split into two new divisions: Thomson Scientific and Thomson Healthcare.-External links:***...
in 2005, which uses university science indicators to examine the research of 46 Canadian universities in 21 different scientific fields.
The 2004 Financial Times
Financial Times
The Financial Times is an international business newspaper. It is a morning daily newspaper published in London and printed in 24 cities around the world. Its primary rival is the Wall Street Journal, published in New York City....
global survey of EMBA
EMBA
EMBA may refer to:*Executive Master of Business Administration degree*Eastern Marching Band Association...
programs ranked the U of O Executive MBA 65th out of 220 worldwide. The EMBA program also scored a "Best in Canada" distinction across three categories in "career progress achieved by graduates", "calibre of program faculty", and "international component of its curriculum (ranked among the top 10 in the world)". In the 2007 rankings, the university placed 87th out of the top 90 EMBA programs.
The Corporate Knights
Corporate Knights
Corporate Knights is a quarterly Canadian magazine dedicated to the promotion of responsible business practices within Canada and the advancement of social and environmental sustainability worldwide....
magazine 2005 survey of business schools ranked the university’s undergraduate program 4th in Canada. In the 2007 survey of business and law rankings, the undergraduate business program placed 10th, and the University of Ottawa's Common Law
Common law
Common law is law developed by judges through decisions of courts and similar tribunals rather than through legislative statutes or executive branch action...
program was ranked 1st in Canada. The rankings use additional components of social and environmental impact management infused into their curricula.
In the Times Higher Education World University rankings for 2011-12, the University of Ottawa was ranked 185th overall (first time in the top 200), and placing 9th overall in Canada.
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Shanghai Jiao Tong University or SJTU), sometimes referred to as Shanghai Jiaotong University , is a top public research university located in Shanghai, China. Shanghai Jiao Tong University is known as one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in China...
rated University of Ottawa in the 7-18 bracket nationally, and in the top 201-302 of 500 universities in the world. In the THES - QS World University Rankings
THES - QS World University Rankings
The term Times Higher Education–QS World University Rankings refers to rankings published jointly between 2004 and 2009 by Times Higher Education and Quacquarelli Symonds . After QS and Times Higher Education had ended their collaboration, the methodology for these rankings continues to be used by...
of the top 500 universities in the world for 2009, the University of Ottawa placed 226th, and 13th overall in Canada
In 2005, the School of Management was featured in the Princeton Review’s Best 143 Business Schools Worldwide, which produces test preparation, such as the SAT's and information regarding college admissions.
The University has often fielded some of the top student debaters in the world. In 1981 and 1982 Martin LaPlante and Michael McCulloch of the university were finalists in the World Universities Debating Championship
World Universities Debating Championship
The World Universities Debating Championship is the world's largest debating tournament, and one of the largest annual international student events in the world. It is a parliamentary debating event, held using the British Parliamentary Debate format. Each year, the event is hosted by a university...
. In 2005, the University of Ottawa won the World Universities Debating Championship, defeating the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
and University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
in the final. The winning team from the university consisted of Jamie Furniss and Erik Eastaugh.
The Maclean's
Maclean's
Maclean's is a Canadian weekly news magazine, reporting on Canadian issues such as politics, pop culture, and current events.-History:Founded in 1905 by Toronto journalist/entrepreneur Lt.-Col. John Bayne Maclean, a 43-year-old trade magazine publisher who purchased an advertising agency's in-house...
2010 university ranking guide, that takes a measure of the "undergraduate experience", ranked the school 11th in the Medical Doctoral peer grouping.
Maclean's also published their first Law School
Law school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
rankings in 2007, which the university placed 1st in National Reach, 3rd in Supreme Court Clerkships, and 4th Overall in Canada for their Common Law Program. In the Civil Law Program, the school placed 1st in National Reach, 1st in Supreme Court Clerkships, and 2nd Overall.
In August 2006, the University of Ottawa announced, along with 10 other Canadian universities, that it disagreed with the ranking of Canadian universities as put forth by Maclean's
Maclean's
Maclean's is a Canadian weekly news magazine, reporting on Canadian issues such as politics, pop culture, and current events.-History:Founded in 1905 by Toronto journalist/entrepreneur Lt.-Col. John Bayne Maclean, a 43-year-old trade magazine publisher who purchased an advertising agency's in-house...
magazine. The universities will be in a sense boycotting their rankings by refusing to participate in future surveys by the magazine. The reason for the boycott
Boycott
A boycott is an act of voluntarily abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with a person, organization, or country as an expression of protest, usually for political reasons...
is that the university disagrees with the methodology used in reaching the ranking.
Research
The university is a member of the U15, a group that describes itself as the leading research-intensive universities in Canada. For the 2006-2007 period, total research revenues were $229 million. According to the RESEARCH Infosource 2007 publication, the university's ranking among Canadian universities was 5th in research intensity and 9th in total research funding.The university has an office of Technology Transfer and Business Enterprise
Technology transfer
Technology Transfer, also called Transfer of Technology and Technology Commercialisation, is the process of skill transferring, knowledge, technologies, methods of manufacturing, samples of manufacturing and facilities among governments or universities and other institutions to ensure that...
designed to set up contract research, manage intellectual property and develop external partnerships for research work.
The university houses over twenty research centres and institutes and is affiliated with several research institutes in the Ottawa area. The faculty of medicine is affiliated with the Ottawa Health Research Institute
Ottawa Health Research Institute
The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute is a non-profit academic health research institute located in Canada’s capital city of Ottawa. The OHRI’s mission is to excel in research, education and innovative patient care. As of February 2006, the OHRI houses approximately 325 scientists and clinical...
, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute
University of Ottawa Heart Institute
The University of Ottawa Heart Institute is Canada’s largest and foremost cardiovascular health centre. It began as a department in The Ottawa Hospital, and since has evolved into Canada’s only complete cardiac centre, encompassing prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, research, and...
and the University of Ottawa Eye Institute among others.
The university is a member of the High Performance Computing Virtual Laboratory
High Performance Computing Virtual Laboratory
HPCVL is the High Performance Computing Virtual Laboratory, a consortium of 5 universities and 3 colleges providing high performance computing to researchers at these institutions and across Canada. They include Queen's University, Royal Military College of Canada, University of Ottawa, Carleton...
(HPCVL), led by Queen's University. The HPCVL mission is to provide supercomputer power to a number of universities in Eastern Ontario: Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
, Royal Military College of Canada
Royal Military College of Canada
The Royal Military College of Canada, RMC, or RMCC , is the military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting university. RMC was established in 1876. RMC is the only federal institution in Canada with degree granting powers...
, the University of Ottawa and Carleton University
Carleton University
Carleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
. Researchers are provided with the computational power needed to solve increasingly complex problems.
Publications
University of Ottawa PressUniversity of Ottawa Press
The University of Ottawa Press is a bilingual university press located in Ottawa, Ontario. It publishes approximately 25-30 books annually in both English and French. The UOP is the only fully bilingual university publishing house in Canada...
, which was founded in 1936, deals with French Canadian civilization, literature, philosophy, medieval studies, translation studies, law, the social sciences, the physical sciences and engineering.
Campus
Rideau Canal
The Rideau Canal , also known as the Rideau Waterway, connects the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on the Ottawa River to the city of Kingston, Ontario on Lake Ontario. The canal was opened in 1832 as a precaution in case of war with the United States and is still in use today, with most of its...
, Sandy Hill, Rideau Centre
Rideau Centre
Rideau Centre is a three-level shopping centre on Rideau Street in Downtown Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It borders on Rideau Street , the Rideau Canal, the Mackenzie King Bridge, and Nicholas Street....
, Byward Market
Byward Market
ByWard Market is a district in Lower Town located east of the government & business district, surrounding the market buildings and open-air market on George, York, ByWard and William Streets.The district is bordered on the west by Sussex Drive, on the...
, National Arts Centre
National Arts Centre
The National Arts Centre is a centre for the performing arts located in Ottawa, Ontario, between Elgin Street and the Rideau Canal...
, Supreme Court of Canada
Supreme Court of Canada
The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court of Canada and is the final court of appeals in the Canadian justice system. The court grants permission to between 40 and 75 litigants each year to appeal decisions rendered by provincial, territorial and federal appellate courts, and its decisions...
, Government agencies, and Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill , colloquially known as The Hill, is an area of Crown land on the southern banks of the Ottawa River in downtown Ottawa, Ontario. Its Gothic revival suite of buildingsthe parliament buildings serves as the home of the Parliament of Canada and contains a number of architectural...
. The university is also serviced by the OC Transpo
OC Transpo
OC Transpo is the urban transit service of the City of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. An integrated hub-and-spoke system of services is available consisting of: regular buses travelling on fixed routes in mixed traffic, typical of most urban transit systems; a bus rapid transit system — a high...
transit system which links the campus to a wide range of amenities in the City of Ottawa.
Student life
The university is home to over 175 student clubs and organizations. All student services are provided bilingually.Fraternities and Sororities
UOttawa is home to a number of fraternities and sororities, both local and international. The Greek life at UOttawa is a generally understated affair and there is no "Greek row" on campus. The University of Ottawa Greek Council (of which nearly all fraternities and sororities are members) provides a forum for the Campus Greeks to coordinate events together and otherwise collaborate. Fraternities and sororities are active on campus, participating in fund raising events, campus clean ups, days of service and more.Fraternities
- Sigma Chi (ΣΧ)
- Alpha Epsilon PiAlpha Epsilon PiAlpha Epsilon Pi , the Global Jewish college fraternity, has 155 active chapters in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Israel with a membership of over 9,000 undergraduates...
(ΑΕΠ) - Delta Pi (ΔΠ) founding local fraternity at the University of Ottawa in 1989
- Omega Theta Alpha (ΩΘA)
Sororities
- Delta Delta DeltaDelta Delta DeltaDelta Delta Delta , also known as Tri Delta, is an international sorority founded on November 27, 1888, the eve of Thanksgiving Day. With over 200,000 initiates, Tri Delta is one of the world's largest NPC sororities.-History:...
(ΔΔΔ) International women's fraternity - Nu Sigma Pi(ΝΣΠ)
- Sigma Beta Phi (ΣBΦ)
- Sigma Psi Alpha (ΣΨΑ)
- Xi Delta Theta (ΞΔΘ)
- Omega Phi Sigma (ΩΦΣ)
- Zeta Theta Xi (ΖΘΞ)
Student government
The Student Federation of the University of OttawaStudent Federation of the University of Ottawa
The Student Federation of the University of Ottawa is the official student-federated union of the University of Ottawa. It is a not-for-profit organization, incorporated under the Corporations' Act of Ontario since September 1, 1969...
(SFUO) claims to represent undegraduate students of the university, while the Graduate Students' Association des étudiant.e.s diplômé.e.s (GSAÉD) claims to represent its graduate students.
On April 9, 2008, the university presented a draft version of a Non-Academic Student Code of Conduct. Students held a rally in opposition of the proposed code, with representatives from the two student associations stating that it had the potential to stifle student dissent and the rights of students for free speech with respect to university affairs. Around 3000 out of 43000 students signed a petition against the code of conduct and hundreds participated in the April 25 rally. As of August 2008, the university announced the draft code has been abandoned in favour of a "different solution that will be created and agreed upon by all members of the university community, including students, professors, staff and the University administration".
The solution adopted by the University of Ottawa to replace the non-academic student code of conduct was announced on December 4, 2008 with the launch of a web site outlining a new Declaration of Rights for members of the University community.
Media
There are two weekly newspapers published by students, the FulcrumFulcrum (newspaper)
The Fulcrum is the English language student newspaper at the University of Ottawa. The paper dates back to 1942 and co-exists on the bilingual campus with La Rotonde, the University of Ottawa's French newspaper...
in English and La Rotonde
La Rotonde
La Rotonde is the official French-language student newspaper at the University of Ottawa. The newspaper publishes weekly throughout the fall and winter sessions on regular topics including news, arts and culture, sports, and travel. Previously owned by the Student Federation of the University of...
in French. There also exists a bilingual video production house called Zoom Productions and a campus radio
Campus radio
Campus radio is a type of radio station that is run by the students of a college, university or other educational institution. Programming may be exclusively by students, or may include programmers from the wider community in which the radio station is based...
station, CHUO
CHUO-FM
CHUO-FM is a Canadian community-based campus radio radio station, broadcasting at 89.1 FM in Ottawa, on Rogers digital cable on channel 943, via Real Audio stream and in MP3...
where actor/comedian Tom Green
Tom Green
Michael Thomas "Tom" Green is a Canadian actor, rapper, writer, comedian, talk show host and media personality. Best known for his shock humour brand of comedy, Green found mainstream prominence via his MTV television show The Tom Green Show...
and model/MTV VJ Quddus
Quddus (MTV)
Benjamin Quddus Philippe, popularly known as simply Quddus, is a Canadian MTV VJ and former host of the MTV show, Total Request Live. He was also the host of Dance on Sunset with Nick 6 which included: Johnny Erasme, Shane Harper, Aubree Storm, Ashley Galvan, Karen Chuang, and Hefa Tuita. Also on...
both hosted late-night shows at different times for several years. The Undergraduate English Students' Association publishes the arts and literary journal Ottawa Arts Review.
Residences
On-campus residences are situated in downtown Ottawa. With a capacity to house over 3000 full-time students, UofO has seven residence buildings: four traditional-style buildings: Thompson, Stanton, Marchand, and Leblanc, the dormitory/apartment hybrid 90 University (opened in 2002), and two apartment-style buildings: Brooks and Hyman-Soloway (opened in 2005). At uOttawa all first year undergraduate students are guaranteed a place in residence.The main residential complex (including 90 University, Stanton, and Marchand) is open during the summer as a hotel to independent travellers, conference attendees, school groups, and others. Additionally, the 20th floor of 90 University is open year-round as a short-term hotel, catering particularly to visiting professors and researchers.
Is not unusual that last minute students, unavailable to secure on-campus residence, are housed at Saint Paul University
Saint Paul University
Saint Paul University is a Catholic Pontifical university federated with the University of Ottawa. It is located on Main Street in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and has been entrusted for more than a century to the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
's suite-style residence opened in 2006 on the campus of Saint Paul University, which is federated with the University of Ottawa. Saint Paul University is located at 200 Main Street, a 15 minute walk from the main campus or a 5 minute shuttle ride.
Recently the university has been featured in national coverage criticizing the residence system, particularly drugs, cleaning and upkeep of housing from year to year.
Athletics
The university is represented in Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Canadian Interuniversity Sport is the national governing body of university sport in Canada, comprising the majority of degree granting universities in the country. Its equivalent body for organized sports at colleges in Canada is The Canadian Colleges Athletic Association...
by the Ottawa Gee-Gees. The University of Ottawa competes in basketball, ice hockey, Canadian football, rugby, soccer, swimming, volleyball, and track and field.
The Gee-Gees football team won the national championship, the Vanier Cup, in 1975 and 2000 and also appeared in the championship game in 1970, 1980, and 1997. In 2010 the Gee-Gees quarterback, Brad Sinopoli, won the Hec Crighton Award for the CIS Most Outstanding Player. Brad had 2756 passing yards, 22 TDs, 13 INTs, and a pass completion rating of 61.1%.
Prior to the formation of the CFL, Ottawa won the Ontario Rugby Football Union
Ontario Rugby Football Union
The Ontario Rugby Football Union or ORFU was an early amateur Canadian football league with teams in the Canadian province of Ontario. The ORFU was founded in 1883 and in 1903 became the first major competition to adopt the Burnside Rules, from which the modern Canadian football code would...
Championship in 1885, 1886, 1887, 1888, 1889 and the Quebec Rugby Football Union
Quebec Rugby Football Union
The Quebec Rugby Football Union was a football league consisting of teams from Quebec and formed in 1883. Eastern Ontario teams like Ottawa City and Ottawa College joined in 1894.- League Formation and Play :...
Championship in 1894, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1899, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904. They also won the Canadian Dominion Football Championship
Canadian Dominion Football Championship
The Canadian Dominion Football Championship was awarded to the best Amateur Football team prior to the Grey Cup in 1909. Teams from the Ontario Rugby Football Union , Quebec Rugby Football Union , Interprovincial Rugby Football Union and the Canadian Intercollegiate Rugby Football Union would...
in 1886, 1887, 1888, 1894, 1896, 1897, 1901.
Prior to adopting the current mascot, students used the university's colours, garnet and grey, to refer to the school's sports teams. The abbreviation of the two colors, GG, eventually developed into the Gee-Gee mascot used today. The term gee-gee is a UK colloquialism for 'a horse.'
Scholarships
The University joined Project Hero, a scholarship program cofounded by General (Ret'd) Rick HillierRick Hillier
General Rick Hillier, CMM, MSC, CD , is the former Chief of the Defence Staff of the Canadian Forces. He held this appointment from February 4, 2005 to July 1, 2008. He retired on July 1, 2008, and was replaced by former Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff Walter Natynczyk...
, for the families of fallen Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
members.
Bilingualism
In 1848, the institution — then called Bytown College — brought together Francophone and Anglophone students. From the outset, the college’s founders, the Oblates, believed that their institution should promote reconciliation and a better understanding between French and English Canada.In 1965, the “Université d’Ottawa - University of Ottawa” was created by an act of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. With its new provincial charter as a publicly-funded institution, the University was given the dual mandate of furthering bilingualism and biculturalism, as well as preserving and developing the French culture in Ontario and in Canada.
The University of Ottawa implemented a policy on promoting bilingualism in 1974. Today, students have the choice to study in English, French, or both depending on their programme of study. Controversy has arisen over the years regarding implementing a course to be taught in both languages over alternating years, and eliminating English courses altogether in some faculties.
A study of full professors' employment contracts carried out by the Human Resources Service as part of Vision 2010 concluded that about half of the professors are actively bilingual when they are hired. Ninety-seven percent of support-staff positions are designated as “actively bilingual” and 93% of these positions are held by bilingual staff.
From time to time the bilingual nature of the University of Ottawa has been the subject of linguistic debate. For example in October 2005, the Canadian French newspaper Le Droit
Le Droit
Le Droit is a Canadian daily newspaper, published in Ottawa, Canada. Initially established and owned by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the paper was has been published by Gesca since 2000.-History:...
reported on an internal memo to University of Ottawa recruiting officers heading to a recruitment fair in Toronto who were directed to speak solely in English while manning the booth. This sparked debate on the widely-held perception that students must speak French to study at the University of Ottawa. In fact just under 70 per cent of University of Ottawa students are anglophones, but most of the administration employees are francophones.
In March 2006, an open letter appeared in Le Droit signed by several University of Ottawa professors voicing their concerns on the status of French at the university. In the ensuing weeks, opinion pieces and letters to the editor ignited vigorous debate.
In June 2006, the university established a Task Force on Programs and Services in French mandated to submit to the senate a development plan for programs and services in French for 2007-2012 that will help the university fully assume its mission and commitment to promote and develop French culture in Ontario. A final report will be submitted to the senate in the spring of 2007.
The university is a member of L'Association des universités de la francophonie canadienne, a network of academic institutions of the Canadian Francophonie.
Finances
The University of Ottawa's endowment as of April 2009 is $Canadian dollar
The Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
129.2 million.
In the 2006-2007 fiscal year, approximately 61% of the university's sources of funding were from operating and research grants. Tuition made up approximately 23%. Remaining sources of funding included investment income, donations, student housing, capital grants and sale of services, among other items.
The university also reported that over half of the expenditures for 2006-2007 were related to salaries and benefits. Buildings, renovations, furniture, equipment and supplies collectively made up 23.3%. Scholarships and bursaries made up 5.9%.
In May 2007, the university surpassed their fund raising campaign goal of $200 million a year ahead of schedule. Alumnus Ian Telfer, CEO of Goldcorp Inc., presented the school with a $25 million gift which put their total fund raising campaign to $226 million. The gift by Telfer was also the biggest donation in history made to a Canadian business school.
Notable people and alumni
The University of Ottawa currently reports 153,086 alumni.See also
- List of Ontario Universities
- University of Ottawa, Faculty of LawUniversity of Ottawa LawThe University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law, sometimes colloquially known as U of O Law, is the law school of the University of Ottawa, located in Ottawa, Ontario. The University of Ottawa Law School is one of Canada's most influential, having produced lawyers throughout French and English Canada...
- Student Federation of the University of OttawaStudent Federation of the University of OttawaThe Student Federation of the University of Ottawa is the official student-federated union of the University of Ottawa. It is a not-for-profit organization, incorporated under the Corporations' Act of Ontario since September 1, 1969...
- Canadian government scientific research organizationsCanadian government scientific research organizationsExpenditures by federal and provincial organizations on scientific research and development accounted for about 10% of all such spending in Canada in 2006...
- Canadian university scientific research organizationsCanadian university scientific research organizationsExpenditures by Canadian universities on scientific research and development accounted for about 40% of all spending on scientific research and development in Canada in 2006....
- Canadian industrial research and development organizationsCanadian industrial research and development organizationsExpenditures by Canadian corporations on research and development accounted for about 50% of all spending on scientific research and development in Canada in 2007....
- List of Ontario Universities
- Ontario Student Assistance ProgramOntario Student Assistance ProgramThe Ontario Student Assistance Program is a financial aid program delivered by the government of Ontario, Canada, for post-secondary education students...
- Higher education in OntarioHigher education in OntarioHigher education in Ontario includes postsecondary education and skills training regulated by the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities and provided by universities, colleges of applied arts and technology, and private career colleges. The current minister is Glen Murray who assumed the...
Further reading
- University of Ottawa Review - University of Ottawa, BiblioBazaar, Volumes 9-10 2010, ISBN 114348973X