Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
Campus Bulletin
October 24, 2002
Guelph students rank U of G highly
An online survey of Canadian university students published in the Oct. 23 edition of the Globe and Mail ranks the University of Guelph first in university atmosphere, third in quality of education, third in student services and fourth in terms of overall results among all Canadian universities.
The University Report Card, a survey conducted for the national newspaper by an online research and youth marketing firm, asked over 120,000 undergraduate students from across Canada a broad range of questions within nine categories. Over 20,000 students responded. In addition to university atmosphere, quality of education and student services, the categories included buildings and facilities, course variety, quality of technology, off-campus environment, career preparation, and financial assistance. Twenty-nine universities, with at least 250 completed responses, qualified to be included in the report.
"We are very pleased that our students have given the University of Guelph such a very positive ranking in the University Report Card," said Alastair Summerlee, provost and vice-president (academic). "We value student opinion about the quality of their experience at Guelph. We are dedicated to being a learner-centred and caring university, so naturally, we are very proud that this was reflected in our students ranking us so highly."
The University Report Card also provides future students another source of information to help them decide which institution fits their needs best, Summerlee said. However, he added that Guelph, along with the Association of
Universities and Colleges in Canada (AUCC), has questions about the survey methodology. "Readers of the survey data need to understand that this is an attitudinal study of student views and is only part of the information available about universities," he said.
For more information on AUCC response to the survey, please see visit:
http://www.aucc.ca/en/comm/oct2302.html
