April 28, 2011
Province Introduces Legislation That Would Grant Full University Status to College Universitaire de Saint-Boniface
Proposed legislation introduced in the legislature today by Advanced Education and Literacy Minister Erin Selby would result in full university status for the Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface (CUSB).
“Since its establishment, CUSB has offered top-quality, post-secondary education in the French language to francophone, bilingual and multilingual students,” Selby said. “We are pleased to support the institution’s goal to become Université de Saint-Boniface, which will help to promote and enhance the development and growth of the francophone community.”
Under the legislation, CUSB would become an independent university but remain affiliated with the University of Manitoba. The changes would give the new university greater flexibility in affiliating with other post-secondary institutions around the world.
“This new legislation will provide the institution with more opportunities for academic partnerships across Canada, with the potential to offer students more options for graduate programs in partnerships with other institutions. Strengthening the connections between our colleges and universities both within the province and across the nation is a priority for this government, and so we are very pleased to be able to introduce legislation that supports this initiative,” said Selby.
The legislation would establish an independent body or senate that would have powers over academic matters and a board of governors with duties and powers similar to that of other public universities.
“This is excellent news for all Manitobans,”declared Léo Robert, chair of CUSB’s board of governors. “The bill introducedby the government isa reflection of CUSB’s modern role as Manitoba’s only French-language university and will help us better serve our students. The board of governors extends its warmest thanks to the government for its unwavering support for our institution and for quality French-language post-secondary education.”
CUSB was founded in 1818 and incorporated in 1871. It is Western Canada’s oldest university and Manitoba’s only French-language, post-secondary institution.
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