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SFU to establish Surrey campus
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February 8, 2002
Simon Fraser University will provide students of the former Technical University of British Columbia (TechBC) with the opportunity to pursue their studies and earn an SFU degree.
This follows a government review of proposals from a number of post-secondary institutions for possible ways to assist students at TechBC as the university's current operations wind down. The government has chosen a solution that puts the needs of students first.
"We want these students to be able to complete their programs with a minimum of additional disruption to their lives and to their learning," says John Waterhouse, vice- president academic and acting president of SFU. "We will do this by establishing an SFU campus in Surrey and focussing our resources on a successful transition."
Subject to approval by Senate and the Board of Governors, SFU proposes to continue the TechBC programs in interactive arts and information technology for third and fourth year students, and possibly integrate them with regular degree offerings in the future. For all other students, including those enrolled in the TechBC business and technology programs, SFU proposes to offer access to degree completion opportunities in established SFU programs. In addition to accommodating existing TechBC students, SFU will expand access for all students in areas of needed growth both in the Fraser Valley and on its other campuses.
The government will provide operating and transitional funding for SFU. A startup team for this project is being created and meetings with students of TechBC are in the works.
SFU has a history of community outreach and an excellent record in running satellite campuses. The Harbour Centre campus has added to the vitality of downtown Vancouver for over 13 years. The addition of new facilities such as the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue in 2001 and the recently announced Segal Centre for Graduate Management Studies demonstrates an ongoing commitment to reach out to communities offering programs where they are needed. "We believe that the presence of a strong, research intensive university will assist Surrey in further developing its economy," says Waterhouse. "Based on our track record at our main campus in Burnaby and at Harbour Centre in downtown Vancouver we are confident we can do this in Surrey as well."
SFU already has strong links to the city of Surrey. More than 1,800 of SFU's current students make their homes in Surrey, as do 130 members of faculty and staff. SFU 's current economic impact on Surrey amounts to nearly $16 million annually.
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CONTACT: Kathryn Aberle, director – media & public relations
tel: 604.291.3929
email: kathryn_aberle@sfu.ca
This follows a government review of proposals from a number of post-secondary institutions for possible ways to assist students at TechBC as the university's current operations wind down. The government has chosen a solution that puts the needs of students first.
"We want these students to be able to complete their programs with a minimum of additional disruption to their lives and to their learning," says John Waterhouse, vice- president academic and acting president of SFU. "We will do this by establishing an SFU campus in Surrey and focussing our resources on a successful transition."
Subject to approval by Senate and the Board of Governors, SFU proposes to continue the TechBC programs in interactive arts and information technology for third and fourth year students, and possibly integrate them with regular degree offerings in the future. For all other students, including those enrolled in the TechBC business and technology programs, SFU proposes to offer access to degree completion opportunities in established SFU programs. In addition to accommodating existing TechBC students, SFU will expand access for all students in areas of needed growth both in the Fraser Valley and on its other campuses.
The government will provide operating and transitional funding for SFU. A startup team for this project is being created and meetings with students of TechBC are in the works.
SFU has a history of community outreach and an excellent record in running satellite campuses. The Harbour Centre campus has added to the vitality of downtown Vancouver for over 13 years. The addition of new facilities such as the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue in 2001 and the recently announced Segal Centre for Graduate Management Studies demonstrates an ongoing commitment to reach out to communities offering programs where they are needed. "We believe that the presence of a strong, research intensive university will assist Surrey in further developing its economy," says Waterhouse. "Based on our track record at our main campus in Burnaby and at Harbour Centre in downtown Vancouver we are confident we can do this in Surrey as well."
SFU already has strong links to the city of Surrey. More than 1,800 of SFU's current students make their homes in Surrey, as do 130 members of faculty and staff. SFU 's current economic impact on Surrey amounts to nearly $16 million annually.
30 -
CONTACT: Kathryn Aberle, director – media & public relations
tel: 604.291.3929
email: kathryn_aberle@sfu.ca