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. Prior to this, CBU was enabled by the University College of Cape Breton Act (amended). The University College of Cape Breton's Coat of Arms were registered with the Canadian Heraldic Authority on May 27, 1995.
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).
Maps, Directions, and Place Reviews
History
"Little X"
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. Several buildings were 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.
NSEIT & merger
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.
From college to university
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, and the institution renamed 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.
A major expansion for the 1987 Canada Winter Games included the construction of extensive sports facilities built at the campus. During the 1990s over $20 million were spent on several campus expansions that built residences, a Culture and Heritage Centre, and various academic and research facilities.
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 was opposed by a number of groups in the institution and local community over the removal of the word "Cape" from the 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.
In 2011, CBU's library underwent a $2 million renovation to improve the space and create new seating areas.
Campus
The Culture and Heritage Centre includes the Great Hall, the Art Gallery, the Folklore Department, and the Beaton Institute.
The Beaton Institute, housed at CBU, is the second largest public archive in Nova Scotia. Sister Margaret Beaton of Scotland, recognizing that many documents of significance to Cape Breton were being lost to neglect during her career as librarian at Xavier Junior College, began collecting these documents back in 1957. Preceded by Cape Bretoniana, 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 building is 17,000 square feet and includes a reading room, vault, work room, and several offices and specialized rooms. The collection includes paper records, photographs, film, video, audio materials, books, maps, plans, and microfilms, housing 3,000 manuscript collections, 60,000 images, 2,500 sound recordings, 1,500 video cassettes and film reels, 1,500 reference books, 2,000 maps and plans. Materials in the collection reflect the Mi'kmaq, Jewish, Acadian, Ukrainian, African Nova Scotian, Lithuanian, Polish, and Italian communities of Cape Breton, along with a sizable collection of Gaelic materials.
CBU's library is located adjacent to the Campus Center, along with the main cafeteria, Art Gallery 1, and Boardmore Theatre. The library features twelve special collections, apart from the main collection, including a CBU thesis repository, the Bernier LGBT Collection, the Fortress of Louisbourg Collection, and the F.A.C.E. Collection which provides access to the publications and contributions of the CBU faculty. There is also has a collection of Cape Breton Post and Chronicle Herald publications on microfilm, which can be read on the microfilm readers located on the first floor. CBU Library has access to Novanet Search, Novanet Classic, and WorldCat, allowing students to search for publications from libraries all across Nova Scotia and the world. Interlibrary loaning services are available to access publications and journal articles not held in the CBU Library's collection or accessible through CBU's electronic resources.
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.
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. 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. Recently, each dorm, along with the off-campus students, have been assigned colors and animals to represent them in residence competitions. 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 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. In 2012, the new Shannon School of Business building opened and became the new home of the Shannon School of Business faculty and programs.
The university has completed a three-turbine, 5.4-megawatt wind farm off campus, establishing itself as the first university to do so. It is claimed that this wind farm, which was completed for $17.6 million in partnership with Natural Forces Technologies, allows the university to be carbon-neutral in the sense that it produces enough electricity to off-set its CO2 emissions. The idea was proposed in 2010 in response to a program paying a premium rate per kilowatt of energy from small-scale green energy facilities. The farm is expected to generate approximately $2.1 million in annual revenue.
Academics
Cape Breton University serves more than 3,300 full-time and part-time students from local, regional and national locations. CBU is also the academic home of several hundred international students representing more than 50 countries.
In addition to the programs and options listed below, two additional graduate programs are in development (Social Justice and Heritage Management).
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.
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:
- Anthropology and Sociology
- Celtic Culture (BA only)
- Communication
- Dramatic Literature
- English
- Ethnomusicology (BA only)
- Folklore
- French (BA only)
- History
- Mathematics
- Mi'kmaq Studies
- Music (BACS only)
- Philosophy
- Religious Studies (BA only)
- Political Science
- Psychology
Minor only:
- Spanish
- Gaelic
Diplomas:
- Public Administration and Management
Certificates:
- Crime Prevention through Social Development
- Ethnomusicology
- Heritage Studies
- Mi'kmaq Cultural Heritage Preservation
- Public Administration
- Social Research
- Social Services
- Theatre Arts
- Tourism
School of Professional Studies
Dean: Dr. Carolin Kreber
Undergraduate Degrees:
- Bachelor of Science Nursing with Advanced Major option.
- Bachelor of Health Sciences in Public Health
- Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition (Transfer with the University of Prince Edward Island, Mount Saint Vincent University and St. Francis Xavier University)
- Bachelor of Technology in Emergency Management (Admissions not currently accepted)
Graduate Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates:
- Master of Education in Information Technology, conferred by MUN
- Master of Education in Sustainability, Creativity and Innovation
- Diploma of Education in Counselling, Curriculum, or Technology
- Certificate in Science Education (K-8)
Professional Degrees:
- Bachelor of Education in Elementary or Intermediate/Secondary Education. Concentration offered in Aboriginal Education.
Shannon School of Business
Dean: Dr. George Karaphillis
Masters of Business Administration in Community Economic Development (MBACED) with specializations in:
- First Nations
- International Business
- Peace-Building, Reconstruction and Good Governance
- Strategic Leadership
- Public Administration
- Sustainability
- Marketing
- Tourism
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with majors in:
- Accounting
- Marketing
Additional concentrations include:
- Economics
- Finance
- Information Technology
- Legal Studies
- Human Resources
- Tourism Marketing and Management
Certificates:
- Management & Administration/Certified in Management (CIM)
- Professional Development
- Business (Credit Union, ICB, CGA, ASCA, FIIC)
Bacheor of Hospitality and Tourism Management (BHTM) also affiliated with the School of Business.
School of Science and Technology
Dean: Dr. David McCorquodale
Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees in:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Psychology
- Mathematics
Minor only:
- Geology
- Physics
Bachelor of Science Community Studies (BSCS) degrees with concentrations in:
- Biodiversity
- Integrative Science
- Psychology, Health, and Environment
- Emergency Management
- Nautical Sciences
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) Transfer Degrees (with Dalhousie) include:
- Chemical
- Civil
- Electrical and Computer
- Environmental
- Industrial
- Materials
- Mechanical
- Mineral Resources
Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BET) Degrees in:
- Electronics and Controls
- Environmental Studies
- Manufacturing
- Petroleum
- Electrical Engineering Technology
- Mechanical Engineering Technology
- Petroleum Engineering Technology
Certificates:
- Petroleum Operations
- Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Operations
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."
The College includes the following facilities:
- Mi'kmaq Resource Centre (MRC), coordinated by Diane Chisholm, BA
- L'nui'sultimkeweyo'kom Mi'kmaq Language Lab, directed by Dr. Stephanie Inglis
- Indigenous Science Research Commons
- Indigenous Students Commons
The Department of Indigenous Studies offers the following disciplines:
- Mi'kmaq Studies
- Integrative Science
Scholarships and bursaries
CBU offers nine major entrance scholarships based on the student's average from high school. Students with a 90% average or greater are eligible for scholarships ranging in amount from $10,000 (Orpha Thayer-Scott) to $24,000 (Chancellor's) over a four-year period. Other entrance scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,000 a year are also available.
Students taking a minimum of 24 credits are eligible for in-course scholarships the following year depending on their academic performance. Unlike in-course bursaries, which are also available, in-course scholarships do not require an application.
A new Work-Study Bursary Program is also available to provide students with financial need the opportunity for on-campus employment.
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
Research
Dean of Research: Dr. Tanya Brann-Barrett
CBU is a small comprehensive university that performs over $3 million in externally funded research and employed over 65 students as researchers in 2011. The Office of Research and Graduate Studies publishes two annual research publication titled Research Matters, as well as a separate student Research Matters magazine. Research chairs at CBU include:
- Tier 1 & Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs
- Communities and Culture (Dr. Marcia Ostashewski, Tier 2)
- Musical Traditions (Dr. Heather Sparling, Tier 2)
- Viola Desmond Chairs
- Social Justice (Dr. Graham Reynolds)
- Purdy Crawford Chairs
- Aboriginal Business Studies (Dr. Keith Brown)
- Industrial Research Chairs
- Mine Water Management (Dr. Martin Mkandawire)
- Green Mining (Open)
- Environmental Remediation (Dr. Ken Oakes)
- Marine Ecosystem Management (Dr. Bruce Hatcher)
- Former Tier 1 & Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs
- Integrative Science (Dr. Cheryl Bartlett, Tier 1)
- Intangible Cultural Heritage (Dr. Richard MacKinnon, Tier 1)
- Molecular Spectroscopy (Dr. Dale Keefe, Tier 2)
- Determinants of Healthy Communities (Dr. Ashlee Cunsolo Willox, Tier 2)
- Former Industrial Research Chairs
- Green Mining (Dr. Alicia Oickle)
- Mine Water Management (Dr. Christian Wolkersdorfer)
Additionally, Dr. Bruce Hatcher is the Director of the Bras D'Or Institute.
Projects are funded by all federal granting councils (CFI, NSRIT, AIF projects).
The President's Award for Excellence in Research is an annual award which recognizes members of the CBU Faculty who demonstrate excellence in research and scholarship. From 2012, the winners have been:
- 2012: Dr. Richard MacKinnon, Professor of Folklore
- 2013: Dr. Katherine Covell, Professor of Psychology
- 2014: Dr. David Mullan, Professor of History
- 2015: Dr. Peter MacIntyre, Professor of Psychology
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.
Student Representative Council
The SRC acts as the board of directors for the Union. It is a body of students elected to represent the various demographics of CBU, including the different schools within it. They meet on a regular basis to vote on motions put before the SRC by representatives or CBU students. The current executives are:
President: Eleanor Sidley
Executive Vice-President: Brooklyn Galbraith
Vice President Finance & Operations: Jordan Gracie
Vice President Promotions: Katelyn McPherson
Clubs and societies
The CBU Students' Union list includes the following societies:
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 Editor-in-Chief is Holly Schaller.
Athletics
CBU is represented in the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) association by the CBU Capers. The Capers' varsity program includes four teams: men's and women's soccer and basketball teams. All sports teams wear uniforms with the Caper logo and mascot along with the school colour (orange).
Notable alumni
Of the over 15,000 CBU alumni across the world, some prominent names include:
- Nolan Crouse, mayor of St. Albert, Alberta
- Gerald Sampson, former Nova Scotia MLA
- Tony Martin, former Sault Ste. Marie MP and MLA
- Shitangshu Roy, MA, Co-Founder & President of Halifax PLAYS!
- Anita MacDonald, fiddler
- Karanbir Pahil, chemist
- Richie Wilcox, singer, actor, and theater director
- Wayne Hiscock, politician
- Jason Massie, soccer player in League1 Ontario
- John W. Morgan, former mayor of CBRM
- Jeff Clements, ecologist
- Sarah Penney, biologist, Project Coordinator for Atlantic Coastal Action Project (ACAP)
- Bill Crowley, MPA, research coordinator at Dalhousie University
- Mark MacDougall, vertebrate paleontologist
Source of the article : Wikipedia
EmoticonEmoticon