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Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Ridgetown College bursting to expand recruiting wing

Thursday, May 26, 2011

by PAT CURRIE

RIDGETOWN — Although enrolment at the Ridgetown Campus, University of Guelph, has climbed by 30 per cent over the past three years to a record 670 students, the 50-year old institution is looking to add a new $3.2 million wing that will house a new student recruitment and service centre.

"All that remains to be done is to get a few approvals, then construction should start this fall and the new wing completed by August, 2012," said school spokeswoman Liz Meidlinger.

A $1.4 million grant from the province to help fund the new wing was announced Tuesday during a visit by John Milloy, Ontario minister of training, college and universities.

The expansion to the Reek administrative building will include two new classrooms. Student Ryan Little said things have become a little crowded around campus.

While other institutions are facing staff crises as large numbers of baby boomers hit retirement age, Art Schaafsma, Ridgetown College director said: "We're running out of teacher space."

Meidlinger said the school has 130 to 150 total contract and full-time staff, including administration. Full- and part-time teachers account for between 35 and 55 of the total, she said.

Schaafsma said the fundraising by the school has been boosted by a donation of $150,000 from Maizex, a Tilbury-area seed and bulb wholesaler, and that "has motivated a number of other gifts."

"On June 3 we’ll be holding the largest graduation in our history," said Meidlinger, noting that will be a milestone for the college in its 60th year as an academic institution and 85th year since it was founded as a research facility. BF

 

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