EDUCATION - Conferences and Visits

February 2008

CFUW/Orillia members tour the new Lakehead University Campus in Orillia.

Orillia is the proud home of the new Lakehead University campus. Approximately five years ago, CFUW Orillia was part of the original planning committee for the proposed Lakehead University in Orillia. This city of 30,000 had the vision of a post secondary institution more than 40 years ago when many of the citizens invested in Simcoe College.

CFUW Orillia recently toured the Lakehead facility at the near completion of the second year in a temporary downtown facility. At the present time 320 students are enrolled. With anticipated increased enrollment to 1500 students by 2009/10 and the promise of more students to come, the dean, Dr. Kim Fedderson was pleased to announce the plans for the new university campus on recently acquired farm land outside of the Orillia core.

Lakehead University, under Dr. Fedderson’s direction, is very concerned that the vision of the future campus will reflect the desires of the Orillia community. Many members expressed their concern that moving the campus will have a negative effect on the historic downtown core. Because of that concern, a community colloquium is planned for April 5 to develop the academic plan for Lakehead University, Orillia.

Wendy Taylor CFUW Orillia Chair,
Standing Committee on Education

Nov 4, 2006

Wendy Taylor, Chair, Ontario Council Standing Committee on Education, attended the annual People for Education conference. The Report