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News Release

November 02, 2005

U of G Earns Top Marks in University Report Card

The University of Guelph is No. 1 in its class for overall quality of education, food services, availability of faculty and online teaching materials, according to the University Report Card published today by the Globe and Mail.

U of G also tied for top ranking in numerous other key areas, including teaching quality, sense of personal safety, student services, academic support, campus atmosphere and technology.

The annual survey represents the opinions of some 26,000 undergraduate students across Canada. Universities are divided into three divisions based on enrolment — large, medium and small. Letter grades are awarded in five overall areas — educational quality, campus atmosphere, technology, student services and finance — and numerous subcategories. A summary of results was published in the newspaper, and a more detailed listing is available on the Globe and Mail’s website.

Among other medium-sized schools, U of G earned an A and had the highest grade average for overall educational quality, which is based on individual marks for teaching quality, class sizes, faculty-student interaction and availability of faculty outside the classroom.

In the other four overall categories, U of G earned an A+ for campus atmosphere, an A for technology, an A-minus for student services and a B-minus for finance.

In addition, Guelph was the only university in the country to receive an A-minus for food services. The next highest mark was a B-minus.

In all, U of G earned five A+’s, 14 A’s and 17 A-minuses on its report card, including both published and online results.

“It’s incredibly important for us to have feedback that is so positive and touches on such a wide range of issues that affect the quality of the educational experience,” said president Alastair Summerlee. “It is a reflection of the dedication of our faculty and staff, who work extremely hard to ensure that the learning environment both inside and outside the classroom is first-rate.”

He added that the University’s A+ and A marks in areas such as academic reputation, tolerance for diverse opinions, leading-edge research, library services and on-campus community “underscore the central values that are characteristic of Guelph.”

Other areas in which U of G earned A’s and A-minuses include extracurricular activities, teaching quality, ease of course registration, reputation among employers, classrooms/lecture halls and recreation.

Michael Ridley, chief information officer and chief librarian, and Aldo Caputo, a manager in teaching support services, were the focus of an article on digital libraries and learning technology that accompanied the University Report Card. In addition, U of G was featured on CTV’s Canada AM Tuesday for its No. 1 ranking in food services.

Summerlee said one of the things that sets Guelph apart is the level to which students are directly engaged in the learning process in terms of research and learning opportunities and access to faculty.

“This has required that faculty accommodate their teaching and research schedules to the needs of students, something they have done devotedly. It has been critical to our success in providing students with a rewarding, distinctive and fruitful learning environment.”

He added that U of G is “absolutely committed” to maintaining its competitive edge and to continuing its leadership in the quality of the educational experience for students.

Survey results