class of 3t5 - Engineering Computing Facility - University of Toronto

for high school students
Reading the
Maclean’s Rankings
Professor Will Cluett
Vice-Dean and Chair, First Year
F
or the eighth consecutive year,
Maclean’s magazine, in its “university
rankings” issue, has UofT number
one in the Medical-Doctoral category. Many
Canadian high school students and their
parents use the magazine’s rankings as one
factor in deciding which Canadian universities to apply to for an
undergraduate degree.
Maclean’s ranks universities under six broad headings: Student
Body, Classes, Faculty, Finances, Library and Reputation. It also
acknowledges that Canada has different types of universities, with
different structures and mandates. The Medical-Doctoral category,
for example, refers to universities offering a broad range of PhD
programs and research, as well as medical schools. The other
categories are Primarily Undergraduate and Comprehensive.
The morning after the university rankings issue came out, CBC
Newsworld reported on the magazine’s findings. Newsworld interpreted
Maclean’s as suggesting that, for medical-doctoral students,
UofT was number one. This struck me as misleading. Perhaps
others, glancing through Maclean’s, might
also conclude that UofT has a great deal to
offer, but only for medical-doctoral students.
What does UofT have to offer students
looking for an undergraduate program?
The answer: a great deal. Medical-Doctoral
universities generally have a very wide range of both undergraduate
and graduate programs, including professional degrees, and
a broad range of PhD programs, research, and medical schools.
Still, what is it that makes UofT so special for an undergraduate
student? Well, as UofT’s President, Robert Birgeneau, explains in
the same issue of Maclean’s: “I’m a deep believer in the concept
of a research university; the best place to get an undergraduate
education is among those who are pushing the frontiers of knowledge.”
There you have it. If you want a university that lets you
choose from the broadest range of programs available in any
university in the country, as well as being taught by professors
that do leading-edge research, think of UofT. Sounds to me like
a good place for an undergraduate!
planned giving
Will Power
Malcolm McGrath
Planned Giving Officer
A
question I am often asked by
alumni interested in my new title
(Planned Giving Officer) is: “Why
is it important for UofT to know about my
bequest?” Here are some answers:
• Financial planning should be based on as
clear and complete a picture as possible. To meet the Faculty’s
future needs, all current and potential sources of revenue are
taken into account. Your bequest will become an important part
of plans for Skule TM .
• If you agree, we are delighted to include your name in our published
list of Heritage Donors (known as “The King’s College Circle”).
I’m often told that this inspires others to
remember Engineering in their estate plans.
• Often the Faculty does not have prior
knowledge of estate gifts. This is a shame,
since it is such a pleasure to be able to express
appreciation to our donors.
• The Office of Planned Giving at the University of Toronto has
access to experts in estate planning and taxation. If you are unsure
about the best designation for your gift, or how to ensure wording
that best honours your intention, call me at 416-518-7177
or Joel Porter, Manager, Office of Gift Planning, at 416-978-3811.
So, will you consider letting us know?
4 FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCE & ENGINEERING/skulematters