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UPEI drops in Maclean’ S rankings

By Sarah Murphy

What is in a ranking? Maclean’s has spoken, UPEI has dropped from 14th to the 18th rank in the magazine’s annual university poll. But UPEI officials disagree and think the university should have had a better showing due to its unique character.

After much discussion with colleagues, UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan said that the survey’s results did not reflect the quality and uniqueness of UPEI. -

“The general sentiment in my discussing with colleagues is that this does not reflect either the absolute or the relative quality of UPEL. I entirely agree with this view, and with its corollary that we should do better,” said UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan.

The method used to evaluate universities is not correct says

MacLauchlan. “Any such comparison

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cent of final score, takes into account students’ entering grades, the percent- age of students with an average over 75%, and the proportion of out-of- province students. Although these considerations matter to UPEI, MacLauchlan feels they should not be given such weight.

“To be sure, these considera- tions matter at UPEI and we are proud of the calibre of the students we attract,’ he said. “ However, as a provincial university, our mandate is not to run a country club. Our mandate is education and capacity building.”

He noted that average entering grades at UPEI are already 78.1 per cent, adding that the university could refuse students with an average below 75 per cent as other universities have elected to do, but that would go against this university’s mandate.

MacLauchlan’s third point of

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Other points of interest include Maclean’s look at class size, library holdings, and the university’s reputation on a national and interna- tional level.

UPEI is not the only universi- ty disappointed and in disagreement with its ranking in the survey. Not very many people agree with the rank- ing, conceded a Maclean’s spokesper- son. But despite this, the publication is already gathering information for its 2001 edition.

BJ McCarville, UPEI Student Union President, does not agree with the results of the survey either and does not think much weight should be placed on the publication’s results and analysis of Canadian universities.

“You know I don’t have a lot of faith in the Maclean’s ranking any- way,” said McCarville, stating that she

Z believed their means of evaluation are snot credible. “I think that UPEI is con-

‘puing to improve and I think their

should be an alternative ranking done by another reliable Canadian source.” McCarville commented on dissatisfaction with the survey in pre- vious years. The rankings had been looked at more closely by the UPEI Senate in 1998. Its members were unhappy with the effects of the inclu- sion of the Atlantic Veterinary College’s operation budget to that of UPEI as whole, as it made the univer- sity expenditure per full-time student the highest in the country at $9755. McCarville also believes that one of UPEI’s strengths resides in its young faculty members and an excel- lent connection to the province. Despite UPEI’s disappointing showing, MacLauchlan said that Maclean’s rankings are not without meaning but that it is important to maintain a perspective on what is being measured and how it relates to a particular university, including UPEI.

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; This is a tribute to a fellow student, Mike Coady. Mike jpassed away on December 31st, 2000 after a brave and courageous cight against a serious form of Crohn’s disease. Right to the end, Mike was courageous. During many hospi- tal visits Wyle Hall, a fellow student, saw a man who continually exhibited an upbeat attitude and an interest in others. Whenever the visits were over he would send a visitor away with “Have a good

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Mike Coady was a student who got involved. He played an F A gicate role in the business of MAPUS. Mike served as our senate artesentative and if anyone had the opportunity to listen to Mike,

y would quickly learn that Mike gave it his all! “A shared memory binds people together in ways nothing

I hope this quote will help to ease the pain of Mike’ S$ passing. inkd it encourage us to remember Mike’s smile, his ability to comfort fs, and to get others involved. His determination in good times FA bad is one of the shining examples of Mike’s legacy.

The Cadre

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