Cape Breton University

Coordinates: 46°10′20.26″N 60°5′35.35″W / 46.1722944°N 60.0931528°W / 46.1722944; -60.0931528

Cape Breton University
Former names
 Xavier Junior College (1951)
Nova Scotia Eastern Institute of Technology (1968)
College of Cape Breton (1974)
University College of Cape Breton (1982)[1]
Motto Theid Díchioll Air Thoiseach (Scottish Gaelic)
Motto in English
 Perseverance Will Triumph
Type Public
Established 1951 as Xavier Junior College
1968 as NSEIT
1974 as College Of Cape Breton
1982 as University College Of Cape Breton
2005 as Cape Breton University
Affiliation non-denominational
Endowment $14M[2]
Chancellor Annette Verschuren
President Dr. David Wheeler
Students 4,344[3]
Undergraduates 4,140[3]
Postgraduates 204[3]
not available
Location P.O. Box 5300 Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada B1P 6L2
Campus Urban
Sport Teams CBU Capers
Colours Gold     , Green     , black      and gray      orange
Nickname Capers
Mascot Caper
Affiliations CVU, CCAA, ACCC, AUCC, CIS, AUS, CBIE
Website www.cbu.ca

Cape Breton University (CBU), formerly known as the "University College of Cape Breton" (UCCB), is a Canadian university in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Located near Sydney, CBU is the only post-secondary degree-granting institution on Cape Breton Island. The university is enabled by the Cape Breton University Act passed by the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.[4] Prior to this, CBU was enabled by the University College of Cape Breton Act (amended).[5] The University College of Cape Breton's Coat of Arms were registered with the Canadian Heraldic Authority on May 27, 1995.[6]

CBU is an ordinary (full) member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) and Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU), as well as an Associate Member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).

History

CBU traces its roots to 1951 when the St. Francis Xavier University Sydney Campus was opened as a satellite campus of St. Francis Xavier University. Also referred to informally as "St. Francis Xavier Junior College" or "Xavier Junior College" (XJC) and colloquially as "Little X", the St. Francis Xavier University Sydney Campus was situated in Sydney's central business district and saw several buildings opened as a result of growth during its first decade of operation.

While working as librarian at Xavier Junior College, Mother St. Margaret of Scotland (Sister Margaret Beaton) recognized that documents of historical significance to Cape Breton Island were being lost. In 1957 Sister Beaton responded to this challenge and established Cape Bretoniana.

The Nova Scotia Eastern Institute of Technology (NSEIT) opened in 1968 on Grand Lake Road (Trunk 4) several kilometres east of the Sydney city limits. This institution focused on business technology and trades and its development was largely enabled by federal and provincial funding at a time when the coal and steel industries in Industrial Cape Breton were facing serious financial challenges.

In the early 1970s, the provincial and federal governments, as well as the local community, recognized the need for developing an institution of higher learning in the economically challenged Industrial Cape Breton region. With assistance from the Cape Breton Development Corporation, St. Francis Xavier University Sydney Campus and NSEIT were merged into the College of Cape Breton (CCB) in June 1974.

The main sign for the university, located out in front of the Culture and Heritage Centre.

In 1980, the former NSEIT campus on Grand Lake Road was expanded as the institution consolidated at this location. The Government of Nova Scotia granted CCB a charter for granting university degrees in 1982 which saw the institution rename itself as the University College of Cape Breton (UCCB). UCCB united diverse education streams such as the liberal arts and sciences with technological and vocational diploma programs.[7]

In 2004, UCCB undertook several studies on how to better position the institution locally, regionally and nationally. One recommendation arising out of these studies was to rename the institution to remove the reference to "college", in recognition of its transformation over the past two decades into primarily a university level institution. This process led to UCCB transferring its trades and technology programs to the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) which operated its "Marconi Campus" (the former NSEIT) which is co-located on the Grand Lake Road campus.

On September 23, 2004 the university's board of governors voted unanimously to rename the institution Breton University, however the proposed name received opposition from a number of groups in the institution and local community over the removal of the word "Cape" from the proposed new name, thus the name Cape Breton University was adopted instead. The name change became official through the University College of Cape Breton Act (amended) which received Royal Assent on May 19, 2005.

Library and archives

The CBU Art Gallery in the Great Hall of the Culture and Heritage Centre. It hosts many art shows during the year, including the community art event ProletariART.

The Beaton Institute, housed at CBU, is the second largest public archive in Nova Scotia. The Beaton Institute operates as a regional archive from and about Cape Breton Island's history, society, politics, economy, health, people, places, and events. The collection includes paper records, photographs, film, video, audio materials, books, maps, plans, and microfilms.[8]

CBU's library is located adjacent to the Campus Center, along with the main cafeteria, Art Gallery 1, and Boardmore Theatre. In 2011, CBU's library underwent a $2 million renovation to improve the space and create a new seating areas.

Campus

The Great Hall in the Culture and Heritage Centre. This building houses the Art Gallery, the Centre for Cape Breton Studies, and the President's Office.
The main part of the upper level of the CBU Library. The collection is in the next room.

The original CBU campus structures were built in the 1960s. A major expansion was undertaken for the 1987 Canada Winter Games which saw extensive sports facilities built at the campus. During the 1990s over $20 million were spent on several campus expansions that saw residences, a Culture and Heritage Centre, and various academic and research facilities constructed.[9] The Culture and Heritage Centre includes the Great Hall, the Art Gallery, the Folklore Department, and the Beaton Institute.

The university continued to expand with major campus additions initiated in 2009. As a collaborative player, CBU became a lead partner in the establishment of the Cape Breton Health Recreation Complex. The $10 million project is a newly opened health and recreation community facility situated on the CBU campus. It provides CBU students and the community with access to a track and field operation and year round indoor soccer facilities as well as a fitness centre.[9]

CBU is growing in terms or residence and enhanced food services through the construction of Harriss Hall, a new student residence and dining hall, in September 2010, giving the campus a total of four residences.[10] Harriss Hall is also the new location for residence mail services, replacing MacDonald, and holds the office of the Residence Life Coordinator. With this new addition, the residence halls now offer meal service and living space for over 550 students.[9]

The four residences on campus include Cabot Residence, MacDonald Residence, Harriss Hall, and Alumni Hall. MacDonald offers single and double rooms, Harriss offers single suites, Cabot offers four-bedroom apartments, and Alumni offers five-bedroom apartments along with two-bedroom dorms.

The Verschuren Centre for Sustainability & The Environment, a research facility oriented toward researching environmentally friendly methods to generate energy along with extensive research into mine water management & environmental remediation, research areas headed by Dr. Martin Mkandawire and Dr. Ken Oakes, respectively.
CBU's newest addition, the Shannon School of Business houses the offices of all professors of in the Faculty of Business and is home to the MBA CED degree program.

The establishment of the Verschuren Centre for Sustainability in Energy & Environment (CSEE) is a major part of CBU’s commitment to growth in research, specifically in efforts to balance needs for new sources of energy and increasing environmental sustainability. With public and private investment, construction on the CSEE began in 2010. Additionally,in 2012, the new Shannon School of Business building opened and became the new home of the Shannon School of Business faculty and programs.[10]

Academics

Overview

Cape Breton University serves more than 3,300 full-time and part-time students from local, regional and national locations.[3] CBU is also the academic home of several hundred international students representing more than 50 countries.

Virtually all Cape Breton University degree, diploma and certificate programs offer a transition-to-work component through co-op education, work placements, internships and work-study programs.[10]

Down this hall is the Centre for Cape Breton Studies, which houses the Folklore and Ethnomusicology Faculties, the Seminar Room, the Rotary Music Performance Room, and the Digitization Lab.

Faculties, Programs, & Affiliated Colleges

School of Arts and Social Sciences

Dean: Dr. Arja Vainio-Mattila

Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Arts Community Studies (BACS) degrees in:[11][12]

Minor only:

Diplomas:[15]

Certificates:[15]

School of Professional Studies

Dean: Dr. Carolin Kreber

Undergraduate Degrees:[13]

Graduate Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates:

Professional Degrees:

Shannon School of Business

Dean: Dr. David Rae

Masters of Business Administration in Community Economic Development (MBACED) with specializations in:[13]

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with majors in:

Additional concentrations include:

Certificates:

Bacheor of Hospitality and Tourism Management (BHTM) also affiliated with the School of Business.

The front of the Arseneau-Britten building, the main science wing. This building contains all the student science labs, many of the Chemistry and Biology research labs, Engineering facilities, and the Bras d'Or Institute, currently headed by Dr. Bruce Hatcher.

School of Science and Technology

Dean: Dr. David McCorquodale

Bachelor of Science (Bsc) degrees in:[13]

Minor only:

Bachelor of Science Community Studies (BsCS) degrees with concentrations in:

Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) Transfer Degrees (with Dalhousie) include:

Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BET) Degrees in:

Certificates:

The entrance to the Unama'ki College, found in the Campus Centre with the library, Commissionaire's Office, and Boardmore Playhouse.

Unama'ki College

Principal: Stephen Augustine, MA

"In 2010, Unama’ki College was founded as an offshoot of the school specializing in Mi’kmaq history, culture and education." As of 2013, "it has some 250 aboriginal students. Its library holds 1,500 books on aboriginal issues and 7,000 documents."[16]

The College includes the following facilities:

The Department of Indigenous Studies offers the following disciplines:

Scholarships and bursaries

The Government of Canada sponsors an Aboriginal Bursaries Search Tool that lists over 680 scholarships, bursaries, and other incentives offered by governments, universities, and industry to support Aboriginal post-secondary participation. Cape Breton University scholarships for Aboriginal, First Nations and Métis students include: Earth Tech/CBCL Award – Entrance Award; Verschuren Family Entrance Scholarship; Wood, Walker Foundation Aboriginal Awards Entrance Scholarship; Bank of Montreal Aboriginal Business Administration Student Scholarship [17]

Research

CBU is a small comprehensive university that performs over $3 million in externally funded research and employed over 65 students as researchers in 2011.[18][19] The Office of Research and Graduate Studies publishes two annual research publication titled Research Matters, as well as a separate student Research Matters magazine.[18] Research chairs at CBU include:[20]

Additionally, Dr. Bruce Hatcher is the Research Chair in Marine Ecosystem Management and the Director of the Bras D'Or Institute.

Currently, CBU offers two graduate programs (Master of Business Administration in Community Economic Development and Masters of Education in Information Technology) with two additional graduate programs in development (Social Justice and Heritage Management).

Students' Union

The Cape Breton University Students' Union provides services such as the Emergency Bursary Fund, funding and management of societies, health and dental plans, Women’s Centre, Pride and Ally Centre, Capers Helping Capers: The Orange Initiative, The Pit (campus bar), Caper Convenience (store), and free legal service. The CBUSU's main focus is advocacy on behalf of its members, and it is also the largest employer of students on the CBU campus.[21]

Newspaper

The Caper Times is a newspaper owned collectively by the students of Cape Breton University and published by the Publishing Board of the Caper Times. It prints 2,000 copies on a fortnightly basis and is distributed on campus and to 25 points across the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and southern Victoria County. The newspaper has been autonomous from the Cape Breton University Students' Union since March 1, 2013. It is a member of the Canadian University Press. The newspaper also publishes an electronic monthly newsletter, CampusLink, which is tailored specifically for Cape Breton University students and faculty. The current Chairperson of the Publishing Board is Sarah Hines and the current Editor-in-Chief is Jill Ellsworth.

Athletics

The dome is host to an indoor soccer field. The outdoor field also features a soccer field, along with a track. The building is home to CBU's on-campus gym.

CBU is represented in the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) association by the Cape Breton University Capers. Men's teams include basketball and soccer, while women's teams include basketball, soccer and volleyball teams. All sports teams wear uniforms with the Caper logo and mascot along with the school color (orange).

Clubs and societies

The CBU Students' Union list includes the following societies:[22]

Notable alumni

Of the over 15,000+ CBU alumni across the world, some prominent grads include:

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0010058 The Canadian Encyclopedia University College
  2. ↑ http://www.ic.gc.ca/app/ccc/srch/nvgt.do?sbPrtl=&prtl=1&estblmntNo=234567031117&profile=cmpltPrfl&profileId=501&app=sold&lang=eng
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Full-time plus Part-time Enrollment" (PDF). Association of Atlantic Universities. 2012-10-15. Retrieved 2012-10-15.
  4. ↑ http://nslegislature.ca/legc/bills/59th_1st/3rd_read/b160.htm
  5. ↑ http://www.gov.ns.ca/legislature/legc/bills/59th_1st/3rd_read/b160.htm University College of Cape Breton Act
  6. ↑ http://archive.gg.ca/heraldry/pub-reg/project.asp?lang=e&ProjectID=573 Arms and Badge
  7. ↑ University College
  8. ↑ Beaton Institute
  9. 1 2 3 http://www.cbu.ca/about/fast-facts
  10. 1 2 3 "CBU".
  11. ↑ http://www.cbu.ca/academics/arts-social-sciences/degrees-programs#.VPxxpfnF_9Q
  12. ↑ http://www.cbu.ca/academics/arts-social-sciences#.VPyBs_nF_9Q
  13. 1 2 3 4 http://www.cbu.ca/sites/cbu.ca/files/pdfs/current-calendar.pdf
  14. ↑ http://www.cbu.ca/academics/celtic-culture-and-gaelic/#.VPyB7fnF_9Q
  15. 1 2 http://www.cbu.ca/academics/arts-social-sciences/degrees-programs#.VPyCXvnF_9S
  16. ↑ Beswick, Truro (2013-10-16). "Efforts gain strength across N.S. to ensure future for Mi’kmaq language". The Chronicle Herald (Halifax, NS). Retrieved 2013-10-24.
  17. ↑ Aboriginal Bursaries Search Tool
  18. 1 2 http://www.cbu.ca/research
  19. ↑ http://www.cbu.ca/research/student-researchers
  20. ↑ http://www.cbu.ca/research/chairs#.VPyutvnF_9Q
  21. ↑ http://www.cbusu.ca/faq
  22. ↑ http://www.cbusu.ca/societies-3/

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