Students’ English needs improvement: Waterloo
Despite the increasing failure rate for the University of Waterloo’s mandatory English entrance exam, U of W’s English Language Proficiency Program (ELPP) said all universities should have the exams.
Thirty per cent of first-year students do not pass the ELP Exam, up from 25 per cent five years ago, according to program managing director Ann Barrett. Even so, Barrett said all universities should implement the exam, currently unique to U of W, to ensure students have the necessary writing skills for academic success.
Alberta streamlines applications
For some students, applying to university is a stressful process. Decisions have to be made about where to apply and for what program to enter. Now, Alberta is attempting to make the registration process easier and cheaper for its students with the unveiling of a new website that streamlines the application process.
The new site, ApplyAlberta, is an easier and less costly way to apply, said Seamus O’Shea, ApplyAlberta co-chair.
Brock student info leaked online
A clerical error at the Brock University library resulted in secure student information being leaked to the university’s public website, according to an open letter sent out earlier this month.
In the letter, Murray Knuttila, Brock’s provost and vice-president (academic), explained that a library employee accidentally uploaded a file containing the university’s student names, ID numbers, phone numbers and mailing and e-mail addresses to the Brock website.
U of O student president arrested
The president of the University of Ottawa student federation was arrested Feb. 2 for disturbing the peace after he called an officer “fuck-face,” shown in a video posted on YouTube and confirmed by the Ottawa Police Service.
Academic freedom at Christian universities challenged
A report released by the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) has caused a debate between groups of Christian schools questioning whether or not academic freedom can exist in an overly religious atmosphere.
The information CAUT released stated that Trinity Western University does not meet the standard of appropriate academic freedom because faculty are required to sign a faith statement to promote Christian influence before being hired.
The faith statement also acknowledges that there is one God and that the Bible is the inspired word of God.
