University of Saskatchewan

The University of Saskatchewan (U of S) is the largest education institution in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It is located in the city of Saskatoon. A satellite view of the campus can be seen on Google maps.

History

Beginnings

The University was created on April 3, 1907 by a provincial statute known as the University Act. It provided for a publicly funded, yet independent institution to be created for the citizens of the whole province. J.A. Calder became the first university official when he was appointed registrar. Chief Justice Edward L. Wetmore was elected the first university Chancellor. Following the formation of the senate and board of governors, Walter Charles Murray was selected as President of the University. The scope of the new institution was to include colleges of Arts and Science including art, music and commerce, Agriculture with forestry, Domestic Science, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, Veterinary Science and Dentistry.

Related Topics:
University - April 3 - 1907 - Chancellor

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Battleford, Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina, and Saskatoon all lobbied to be the location of the new university. Walter Murray preferred the provincial capital, Regina. In a politically influenced vote, Saskatoon was chosen on April 7, 1909.

Related Topics:
Battleford - Moose Jaw - Prince Albert - Regina - Saskatoon

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A location next to the South Saskatchewan River, across from the city centre of Saskatoon, was selected for the campus. Prime Minister of Canada Wilfrid Laurier laid the cornerstone of the first building on campus, the College Building, on July 29, 1910. The original buildings were built using native limestone - greystone - which was just north of campus. Over the years, the greystone was to become one of the most recognizable campus signatures. When the local supply of limestone was exhausted, the University turned to Tyndall Stone, so called because it is quarried at Tyndall, Manitoba. The first building on the new campus, the College Building, opened in 1913; in 2001, it was declared a National Historic Site of Canada.

Related Topics:
Saskatchewan River - Campus - Prime Minister of Canada - Wilfrid Laurier - Limestone

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First Students

The University Act provided that the University should provide "facilities for higher education in all its branches and enabling all persons without regard to race, creed or religion to take the fullest advantage". It further stated that "no woman shall by reason of her sex be deprived of any advantage or privilege accorded to the male students of the university." Seventy students began the first classes on September 28, 1909. The first class graduated on May 1, 1912. Of the three students who earned graduation honours, two were women.

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342 students, faculty, and staff enlisted for World War I. Of these, 67 were killed, 100 were wounded, and 33 were awarded medals of valour.

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Establishment of Colleges

Roughly adhering to the original plan of 1909, numerous colleges were established:

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Arts and Science (1909), Agriculture (1912), Engineering (1912), Law (1913), Pharmacy (1914), Commerce (1917), Medicine (1926), Education (1927), Home Economics (1928), Nursing (1938), Graduate Studies (1946), Physical Education (1958), Veternary Medicine (1964), Dentistry (1965), and Physical Therapy (1976).

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Theological Colleges, affiliated with the University, were also established: Emmanuel College - Anglican (1909), St. Andrew's College - United Church of Canada (1913), Lutheran Theological Seminary (1920), St Thomas More College (1936), and Central Pentecostal College (1983).

Related Topics:
United Church of Canada - St Thomas More College

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Regina College was saved from bankruptcy and became part of the University in 1934, and was given degree-granting privileges in 1959, making it a second University of Saskatchewan campus. By another act of legislation in 1974, it was made an independent institution known as the University of Regina.

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Correspondence courses were established in 1929.

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