Humber College and University of Guelph
Major Capacity Expansion - University of Guelph-Humber
President’s Message
Internal Update #1
May 15, 2014

As many of you know, demand for postsecondary education in the GTA continues to grow. This is an exciting time for Humber, as we prepare to be part of the Major Capacity Expansion (MCE) initiative recently announced by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU).

The Ministry’s Major Capacity Expansion Policy Framework was released last December, and a Call for Proposals followed in March. The Call for Proposals is the beginning of the process that will lead to the selection of initiatives intended to meet Ontario’s goals for postsecondary education – increased capacity in undergraduate degrees; greater affordability for students, institutions and the province; improved institutional differentiation and regional economic benefits.

I am pleased to share that Humber will join the University of Guelph in submitting a bid to expand the highly successful University of Guelph-Humber partnership.

The University of Guelph-Humber partnership is a differentiator and key component of our polytechnic identity, and aligns with our strategic plan by providing options and developing pathways for our students. Since classes began in fall 2002, Guelph-Humber has graduated more than 4,500 students and continues to be the only model of postsecondary education in which graduates receive an honours baccalaureate degree and an advanced diploma after four years of study.

In response to the Call for Proposals, there are two key milestones in the coming months. First, a Notice of Intent to submit a full proposal is due to MTCU by June 27, and the full submission is due September 26.

Here’s what’s happening at Humber so far. An MCE Steering Committee comprised of senior leaders from Humber, Guelph and Guelph-Humber has been initiated, along with four working groups in the areas of Academic Programs; Facilities; Financial; and Communications and Community Engagement. Committee and work group members are listed at the end of this message.

We are in the early days of the proposal development process and we are exploring opportunities and evaluating our options in order to better understand what this means for Humber, Guelph and Guelph-Humber.

There are many questions still to be asked and answered, and the timelines to meet the Ministry’s deadlines are aggressive. Plans are being developed for consultation with the Humber community, to engage with students, faculty and staff, as well as our community and corporate partners, the City of Toronto, and government representatives at all levels.

We’re looking forward to working with the University of Guelph and the University of Guelph-Humber on what promises to be an opportunity for Humber to continue to contribute to the success of current and future learners in a significant and meaningful way.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Rani Dhaliwal or John Walsh, the MCE Steering Committee Co-Chairs.

Best regards,