Campus `74 gave public a voice

Posted: May 27, 2014 9:40 a.m.

The community’s involvement in determining the role, value, and future of the University has remained a constant in the University of Regina’s history.
The community’s involvement in determining the role, value, and future of the University has remained a constant in the University of Regina’s history. Photo: U of R Photography

The University of Regina community has valued the input of the people of Saskatchewan even before it became an autonomous, degree-granting institution in 1974.
In the spring of 1970 public meetings were held under the title “Campus ‘74” to give people in southern Saskatchewan an opportunity to discuss what “their” university could be.

It was an 11-day program of activities “designed to bring Reginans out to the campus for entertainment, dialogue, and a look at future plans for the university. The project aimed at showing the public what the university campus will look like in 1974,” reported the Leader-Post on March, 18, 1970.

Regina Mayor Henry Baker officially opened the event, calling for a completely autonomous university. Student guides gave tours of the campus; there was an open house of the new Physical Education Centre; the science and engineering faculties had slide presentations and movies. There were also scale models of buildings so people could see what the campus might look like by 1974. Public forums were held each evening.  Topics included: “The University and Social Change”, “The University is for What – Training, Education or Culture?”  and “The University and the Economy”.

While much has changed during the University of Regina’s 40 year history one thing that hasn’t is the importance of the community’s involvement in determining the role, value, and future of the University.

A process to create a new strategic plan is currently underway. Through this process University leaders are listening to the thoughts, ideas and dreams people have for the future of the University of Regina.

For more about the strategic planning process visit: http://www.uregina.ca/strategic-plan/ 

For more about the University's 40 years of independence visit: www.uregina.ca/external/communications/feature-stories/current/fs-05072014.html