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 3 diamonds of higher learning:
King's, Brescia and Huron colleges
London has three colleges, affiliates of the University of Western Ontario, which offer a viable, positive alternative for interaction learning - all of them worth considering as students make their choices at this time of the year.
Marilyn Mason is registrar at King's College and she invited me to lunch last week with Marianne Simm and Ronika Srdic, registrars respectively of Brescia and Huron Colleges.
Let's look at the advantages of choose one of these hidden treasures.
The enrollment numbers would make a high school principal envious. Brescia and Huron each have 900 students with King's numbers at 2,400.
"The average class sizes range from 30-90 students," the women say. "The professors actually know your name. The small classes encourage dialogue between students and staff. The professor's job description is not narrowly defined. Accommodation is what it is all about. Listening and learning from each other is paramount. Respect is a two-day street. The students pay their fees and it is the responsibility of staff to hear and help."
"The teachers at the colleges are approachable. You do not have to book an appointment to discuss your concerns. Professors and students share a coffee in the cafeteria." (The women laugh at the idea of a faculty lounge and separate dining room). "The staff and students share the same food and amenities."
The small school environment offers a great training group for political office and acceptance into professional programs. Many of the affiliate students are accepted into Ivy School of Business and law school.
Arts and social sciences programs are offered at all three campuses but there are distinct differences.
Brescia University College is the only female campus in Canada. The school prides itself on focusing on a distinctive learning style for women. Males are welcome to enroll in a course but cannot be full-time students.
However, there is a co-ed one-year pre-university program for students who wish to fast track. No high school diploma is required. Family studies and nutrition are unique disciples of the college.
Huron University College offers international comparative studies, reasoning and ethics and a masters of theological studies program.
King's College has always offered a bachelor of social work. Next September, the college will offer a masters of social work. Childhood and family relations along with social justice and peace studies are good preparation for law and communications.
The proof of the pudding for me is in the success, completion rate of the students. I am very interested in drop-out numbers. The RTW (required to withdraw) percentages say it all: "The colleges are accountable: 2 - 6 per cent of first year students are asked to stay out of university for one year due to academic difficulty. For those students whose average is below 50 per cent the penalty is severe. If you fail, you cannot register at another university."
To help you succeed there are English second language, writing, economics and math tutorials free for the asking.
In my opinion, the Three Diamonds offer low teacher pupil ratios, small school numbers, approachable professors and great programming for arts and social science students.
The caring and mentoring leads to success. Graduating students are awarded a University of Western Ontario degree.
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