Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
A new model of learning
Universities have traditionally viewed themselves as elite institutions of higher learning and research, reserved largely for qualified students of means and motivation. Absent from this formula was a sense of social and community responsibility, of a direct duty to those struggling beyond the hallowed walls.
The University of Winnipeg has slowly been trying to change this familiar model in an effort to become more relevant to society in general and to guarantee a role for itself well into the future. "We have to reposition ourselves, or risk going the way of General Motors," university president Lloyd Axworthy said in a Free Press editorial board meeting Tuesday, where he outlined an ambitious vision of the university's future.
His goal is to integrate the university into the cultural, educational and social fabric of the community under a new model known as "community learning." The phrase is a description of the work the university has done in throwing open its doors to groups that have traditionally felt excluded, notably aboriginals, and the use of its resources to address the full range of social, economic and environmental problems in the community.
In Mr. Axworthy's vision, the university belongs to the community and everyone has an equal right to benefit from it. As such, he says the university should help public schools to improve graduation rates; it should offer aid to newcomers, aboriginals and the elderly; and develop new methods to help poor students find the cash needed to attend university.
Since he took over the university five years ago, Mr. Axworthy has launched an expansion program that has physically extended the university as well as establishing new programs for residents in the struggling West End neighbourhood. In the last three years, to use just one example, 2,400 students have participated in a special summer camp, one of the largest day camps for inner-city and aboriginal youth.
A so-called model school was set up at the U of W Collegiate last year that offered individualized education for students of potentially high achievement, but who were at high risk of dropping out of regular schools or who were experiencing behavioural problems, addictions or criminal activity.
Mr. Axworthy has tapped private funding for some programs, but the obvious questions are how large will a "community learning" approach become, what will it cost, and who is going to pay for it? The answers are a little uncertain right now, although it seems reasonable that the university should be compensated for the problems and issues it addresses in the community.
On a broader scale, the university needs a more sensible funding formula than the current outdated system, which does not even link grants with the number of students being served.
Mr. Axworthy's appeal for a new interpretation of the purpose and meaning of a university deserves a sympathetic hearing, particularly at a time when some people are questioning the value of expensive university degrees that don't prepare students for real jobs.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 14, 2009 A12
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3 Comments
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Posted by: stophipo
October 17, 2009 at 3:08 PM
No one can doubt Mr. Axworthy's intentions. However, it is interesting to observe, during these harder financial times, the disdain towards the project of University that your newspaper seems to be encouraging. Axworthy, once an academic himself, has long distanced himself from the notion that a University is a center for higher learning. Instead, unable to gain the prime ministerial function in Canada, Axworthy has decided to use the pulpit of his presidency of UW as a chance to make good on his nation state dreams. He began by trying to radically rebuild the downtown, he fortified the school by sinking resources into security initiatives,including top drawer surveillance equipment. He created patronage positions in upper administration for liberal party cronies, and he hatched a department of emergency preparedness. Now with the right people in place, Axworthy begins the second term of his presidency, which is a lame duck term, by audaciously announcing the undoing of higher education as UW's central goal, and attempts to make it a department of social services. Meanwhile, Red River College's market share appears threatened. Even more bizarre is that Winnipegers would accept this initiative in light of the fact that UW, a liberal arts center of learning, has always been accessible to more disadvantaged populations than virtually any other university in the country. Let's get back to education, and stop playing these politics.
Posted by: Russ T. Bagg
October 14, 2009 at 9:54 PM
As usual, 'The Godfather' would prefer to dialogue with the media than with the academic staff who actually have to deliver on his latest 'flavor of month' vision. If Lloyd actually conferred with the staff and students at U of W, he would learn that many have been deeply involved in the life of the local community in a variety of ways for years. The U of W has never been the elite institution suggested by this editorial. So by all means, let's keep the university engaged with the issues facing the inner city, but don't forget that the heart of the institution will always be research and liberal arts education, not job training or social service provision. I fear that the reach of Lloyd's vision far exceeds his grasp.
Posted by: Gordon Halushka
October 14, 2009 at 6:51 AM
The U of W sells itself by highlighting the student to teacher ratio.Family members inform me that classes are packed- like sardines in a can.Quality education,Mr.Axworthy ?