Some FAQs

(In a perfect world, I'd figure out how to fill in these stupid white gaps!)

How big is the school?

We've got a fixed number of something like 2400, according to the rules that have been set out in the school constitution. Yeah, this could be smaller than the high school or CEGEP you attended. This is definitely not the place to go nuts in your first week or two and develop a reputation, because everyone will know by the end of your second week. Still, I tend to view the size of the school as more of an advantage - you get to know everyone in your classes and can get one on one help from a professor who knows your name. If anything, I'd say it's the small size of the town we're located in that makes for difficulties. If you're really into big-city life, "Bagville" is not the place for you.

What are my odds?

These are official statistics from two years ago, the gender spit is now closer to 70/30!

What are the athletic/fitness facilities like?

To be quite honest, they suck. There is a lack of space (one small gymnasium) equipment and money. There is a weight/nautilus room - with no treadmill), an aging hockey rink, and a swimming pool. About the only redeeming quality of these facilities is that they are all free for the using - there are no charges to borrow equipment. There's hope for some of this though - the university is planning to gut McConnell Hall (the cafeteria on West side) to expand the athletic facilities). This still isn't a definite though, don't hold your breath.

Drugs?

What you do in your spare time is your business, right? Wrong! If you're caught anywhere on campus, in possession of or using drugs, you'll be suspended and banned from campus. The policies here are strict. The case also goes to the local police.

Extra-Curriculars?

One of the strengths of this small university is the amazing amount of extracurriculars to choose from. If you're a jock, you probably have a better chance of making the varsity team here than at other larger universities. Even if you're not, and just like sports, there are lots of pick-up games and organized intramurals going on all the time.
If you're more into the arts we've got resident francophone, bilingual, and English theater groups, as well as a Musical Theater society and improv troupe. There's a campus newspaper - independent of the administration - and a campus radio station to get involved with. We've got a society for every faculty (Commerce, Engineering, Biochem, Fine Arts, etc) on campus as well as other societies for musicians, social activists, young politicians or gays and lesbians. You name it, we've got it. And, if by chance we don't, you can get money from the Student Union to start it. Pretty cool, eh?

Where do I party on the weekends?

When your own house isn't liscenced, you can get your kicks at several local establishments. (Oh, and in case you're wondering, the weekend begins Thursday evening here!) The campus pub is probably the most popular. You pay a $20 membership fee at the beginning of the year and then, there's no cover all year long. The Pub has reasonable prices most of the time, a dance floor with dj, foozball, several tvs which continually broadcast whatever sport is in season and pool tables. Even I'll admit that this is a "meat market", but it's also the place to hook up with all your friends (chances are, they'll be there).

The Duke of Allison (just off campus on West Side) is a more low-key, talk-over-beer kinda place. There is a dance floor - but no DJ and no fancy lights. More pool tables here as well. It's popular with the frosh and some of West Side. Lots of seating in a dimly lit setting with the occasional live band or drink special to liven it up.

Duckys is more popular with the townies - you're likely to run into them here. It is a small bar with dart boards and a small place in back to host live bands - which is what they do best. Again, this is more of a laid back setting, and people who hate the pub tend to love Duckys

How hard is it to get in?

According to MacLean's magazine we've got one of the highest entrance averages of all the undergrads surveyed in Canada. Keep in mind, however, that these are just averages. Extra-curricular involvement seems to be a consideration. If you think that this is the place for you, you can probably swing it. One warning though: this is also probably one of the tougher undergrad universities - many people find that they just didn't learn all the stuff in high school that the profs here expect them to know. First year can be pretty rough going. You're going to earn your B.Sc. or B.A. if you come here.

Labour Unrest?

To be brutally honest, the labour relations here are attrocious. The current university president (and administration he rules over) are completely at odds with the faculty and service unions. Part of it is due to a long history of cutbacks and belt-tightening that's been going on, but a lot of it is just bad blood accumulated over a lot of (in my opinion) petty issues that were elevated to become matters of principle in which neither side wanted to lose face. Just this year (98-99) we suffered a month long faculty strike which was only resolved due to government intervention (it being an election year and all). There's yet another contract coming to the negotiating table in June which could cause difficulty. Hopefully, either the current president will change his ways or leave in the next three years, or as I see it, another strike is inevitable.

What should I bring?

Try looking here for a couple of suggestions.

So, now I've given you the dime tour. Think you're an expert? Try taking the latest campus quiz - signifying the spirit of MTA weekly in a column written by C.M. Link up to it here. Time to try something new...

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