Quest University
49°44′24.64″N 123°6′29.75″W / 49.7401778°N 123.1082639°W
| File:Questu logo.png | |
| Motto | Intimate, integrated, international. |
|---|---|
| Type | Private University |
| Established | 2002 |
| Chancellor | Dr. David Strangway |
| President | David Helfand |
| Location | , , |
| Campus | 77-hectare (190 acre) site |
| Colours | Green , Silver , white and black |
| Nickname | Kermodes |
| Affiliations | AALE |
| Website | Quest University Canada |
Quest University Canada (formerly Sea to Sky University) is a new private non-profit liberal arts and sciences university in Squamish, British Columbia, Canada. The first class began in September 2007 with an enrolment of 80 students; the university hopes to have 640 students by 2010.
History
Quest was created May 29, 2002, following the passing of the Sea to Sky University Act by the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, and adopted its current name in October, 2005. The University has adopted "intimate, integrated, international" as a fundamental theme. The University was founded by Dr. David Strangway, former President of the University of British Columbia and funded primarily by Canadian Geologist Stewart Blusson. In September 2007, Thomas Wood, former President of Mount Royal College was appointed to succeed Dr. Strangway. In fall 2008, the University entered in to a short-lived agreement with Sprott-Shaw College, a for profit entity. Sprott-Shaw took over financial operation of the University. The agreement was rescinded shortly thereafter and Professor David Helfand, a part-time faculty member at Quest was appointed President.
Partnerships
Quest has established 18 partnerships with universities around the world including Colorado College, McGill University and the University of Hong Kong and has signed an agreement with the Vancouver Olympic Committee which will permit the use of campus buildings for security during the 2010 Winter Games[citation needed].
Buildings and Features
In 2007, construction delays meant that the student residences were not going to be available for the commencement of classes. As a result, the University was required to alter its enrolment targets, which in turn affected the financial viability of the institution. The first three weeks of the semester were conducted at Red Mountain ski resort in Rossland, British Columbia. Students were then moved to a hotel in Squamish (Sea to Sky Hotel) for a month as construction continued.
The campus is built on a 77-hectare (190 acre) site that includes academic buildings, a library, a recreation centre, and student residences. The campus design reflects a significant concern for the environment; it includes geo-thermal heating and cooling.
Academics
Quest's approach to academics is rooted in the liberal arts tradition, emphasizing breadth as well as depth. During the first half of the program, students will be required to take 16 "Foundation" courses, which are tied to four "signature themes": life and the natural environment; self, communities and the world; science, technology, and societies; and imagination and expression. The second half of the program is devoted to concentration (major) courses, and experiential learning, which emphasizes non-classroom-based learning, including work experience, study abroad, and a research project. With limited enrolment and resources, Quest's focus is academic rather than social or athletic.
Students at Quest study on the block plan, taking one course at a time, each for 3 ½ weeks. The program is significantly similar to Colorado College whose former President acted as a consultant in the development of the curriculum. With ongoing financial challenges in 2008, the University entered into a short-lived agreement with Sprott-Shaw College, a proprietary organization who made wholesale changes in operation and removed several key personnel. That agreement was rescinded in a matter of weeks, and Columbia physics professor, David Helfand, was appointed interim President.
As a private institution with no direct subsidy from government, a Quest education is more expensive than all publicly funded institutions in Canada. The Vancouver Sun notes, "tuition of $24,000 a year might seem high by Canadian standards, but it's a bargain compared with similar schools in the U.S."
Athletics
In 2007 Quest introduced women’s and men's varsity basketball teams, which play in the British Columbia College Athletics Association. Quest announced the introduction of women’s and men’s varsity soccer teams for fall 2008. Martina Franko, a Canadian national soccer team player, joined Quest as the varsity women's soccer head coach in January 2008.[1]
References
- ^ "Quest Athletics and Recreation". Quest University Canada. Retrieved 2008-08-11.