University of Guelph

Established in 1964, the University of Guelph is a medium-sized university located in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. While U of G offers degrees in many different disciplines, the university is best known for its focus on life sciences, based in part on a long-standing history of achievement in Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine.

Campus

The main university campus spans 1,017 acres (4.1 km²), including a 408 acre (1.7 km²) arboretum and a 30 acre (0.1 km²) research park. It is home to 16,219 full-time students (graduate and undergraduate) and 2,740 faculty and staff (2003).

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The campus, which mixes old-fashioned brick buildings with more contemporary stone structures, is generally regarded as scenic. It is well-populated with trees, including those which line the main walkways, many of which are paved with red brick. The campus includes an arboretum with an impressive collection of trees.

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In Branion Plaza, at the campus' centre, is the University of Guelph cannon, sometimes called "Old Jeremiah"; originally a British naval gun, its provenance is not well-established. The cannon enjoyed relative tranquility until the 1950s when some entrepreneuring student came up with the idea of painting a message on the highly-visible landmark. The act of "painting the cannon" has since become a campus tradition with students, residences, sports teams, clubs and others braving the early morning hours to paint messages on the cannon, most often about upcoming events but also including birthday announcements and public insults. The etiquette governing "Painting the cannon" is unofficial but well-understood: 1) be finished by the time the first students arrive for classes in the morning, and 2) avoid profanity or coarse language. It is well-accepted practice to "guard" the cannon until sunrise so as to avoid another person or group painting over one's message.

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Another highly-visible landmark is Johnston Hall, constructed in 1931. The Johnston Clocktower overlooks Winegard Walk and is visible from much of the campus. The building also overlooks Johnston Green, a popular location for recreational sporting activities and outdoor concerts.

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