Providing Canada's best student experience
2006 was a time for reflection, planning and action at Western as we revisited
the University’s long-range strategic plan and set the course for fulfilling our
mission of providing the best student experience among Canada’s leading
research-intensive universities.
Following a year-long process of consultation with faculty, staff, students,
alumni and community leaders, Western’s Strategic Planning Task Force
delivered its draft report to the campus community in June 2006. Later
endorsed by the University’s Senate and Board of Governors in November,
our new plan reaffi rms many of the key principles and directions outlined
in previous strategic plans published in 1995 and 2001, and places renewed
emphasis on enhancing the undergraduate student experience, expanding
our graduate student enrollment, internationalization, and building Western’s
research capacity and reputation.
In pursuit of our mission, we also announced plans in May to undergo
approximately $230-million in construction and renovation projects, all to
be completed by 2013. The new Long-Range Space Plan includes 15 major
projects that will create 70,000 new square metres of space for classrooms,
labs and other University priorities. We will also renovate 85,000 square metres
of existing space to bring it up to the standards required for excellence in
teaching and research. In addition to meeting our growing space needs, this
investment will also fuel the local economy by creating jobs in the construction
industry and generating a projected $3.9 million in development levies and
building permits to the City of London. On an annual basis, Western continues
to contribute an estimated $1.5 billion to the local economy.
In an unprecedented effort to further stimulate the regional economy,
Western also led a group of 170 business, government and community
leaders in an economic summit held in Stratford, May, 22-23. Organized
by Western’s Vice-President (Research and International Relations), Dr. Ted
Hewitt, the inaugural Southwestern Ontario Economic Assembly aimed
to build regional collaboration and maximize economic development
opportunities by focusing on four sectors essential to the prosperity of
the region: Trade and Manufacturing; Knowledge-based industry in the
fields of Health, Education, and Research and Development; Agriculture
and Agrifood; and Tourism and Culture. The two-day gathering was an
unqualified success, setting the stage for future initiatives that will help
Southwestern Ontario compete more effectively in the global economy by
leveraging our collective strengths as a region.
As our University has for the last four consecutive years, Western once again
received the highest grades of any large school (enrolment more than 22,000)
in the Globe and Mail’s annual University Report Card, which included an
“A+” for academic reputation and an “A” for overall quality of education.
Based on responses from more than 32,700 students across Canada, the 2006
survey offers another indication of our growing reputation for providing the
best student experience among leading research-intensive universities. Such
achievements, quite simply, are the result of our dedicated faculty and staff,
who, together with student leaders, create an unparalleled environment for
teaching, learning, research and personal development.
Looking ahead in 2007, the last component of our long-range planning efforts
will fall into place when an update of our Campus Master Plan is completed in
the spring. Last updated in 1993, the Master Plan sets out the principles that
guide Western in the future location of buildings and maintenance of green
space, and addresses issues related to traffi c and parking. As our campus
continues to evolve and expand to meet the needs of our students, faculty,
staff and community, this document will be an important tool in helping
Western preserve the beauty of Canada’s premier residential campus in a
responsible manner that respects our surrounding neighbourhoods.
Dr. Paul Davenport
President and Vice-Chancellor
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