II--The University

II--The University

The University of Guelph combines a tradition dating back well over 100 years with a progressive outlook that has made it one of Canada's leading research institutions. Our roots go back to the Ontario Agricultural College, Ontario Veterinary College and Macdonald Institute. The three colleges were the basis of the new university, established in 1964, and remain essential components of a much expanded and diversified institution that now includes physical and biological sciences, arts, social sciences, and family and consumer studies.

Our 344 hectare (850 acre) campus combines traditional stone and brick buildings, dating to the last century, with contemporary concrete and glass. The Arboretum provides jogging trails and an attractive area for nature study. Major academic and administrative buildings are arranged along converging brick walkways, with residences forming the boundaries.

The campus is located in Guelph, a historic city of 93,400 people, with convenient access to larger centres like Toronto and Hamilton just an hour's drive away.

The University of Guelph provides residence accommodation for over 4,000 undergraduates. We also guarantee residence accommodation to most first year students who enter in May or September and who apply for Residence before the cut off date. Students live in single gender or co-ed residences that range from single rooms to apartments for up to 12 people. Townhouses for student families are located in a wooded areas, a 10 minute walk from the campus, convenient to shopping.

Our students enjoy the benefits of a three semester system that gives them the choice to study one, two or three semesters each year, and the opportunity to start university in January, May or September.

The University of Guelph is co educational, non denominational and provincially supported.

Our research funding this year is over $65 million, with about forty-six percent that sum coming from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs.

In the University's aims document, Toward 2000, Challenges and Responses, a commitment is made to teaching, research and service in the community. The university must exercise a moral concern for all its members, the document says "and for the effects of the institution's actions on society and the environment." It must also "maintain a collegial atmosphere in which free and open debate on major issues can contribute to their resolution."

Academic Organization

• College of Arts
• College of Biological Science
• College of Family and Consumer Studies
• College of Physical and Engineering Science
• College of Social Science
• Ontario Agricultural College
• Ontario Veterinary College
• Faculty of Environmental Sciences
• Faculty of Graduate Studies
• Office of Continuing Education
• Office of First Year Studies
• Office of Research
• University School of Rural Planning and Development
• Institute for Environmental Policy and Stewardship
• Institute of Ichthyology
• Guelph Turfgrass Institute
• Teaching Support Services
• Centre for International Programs
• Equine Research Centre
• Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock
• Centre for Land and Water Stewardship
• Centre for Toxicology
• Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare
• George Morris Centre
• Gerontology Research Centre
• Guelph Food Technology Centre
• Biophysics Interdepartmental Group
• Landscape Research Group
• Four inter university research programs:
  • Guelph Waterloo Centre for Research in Biotechnology
  • Guelph Waterloo Centre for Graduate Work in Physics
  • Guelph Waterloo Centre for Research in Chemistry
  • Guelph McMaster Graduate Program in Philosophy

Human Resources

• 10,315 full time undergraduate students
• 1,940 part time undergraduate students
• 1,702 graduate students
• 15,300 students in non credit courses
• 670 faculty
• 1,700 full-time staff

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