Victoria University in the University of Toronto
From Free net encyclopedia
Victoria University ("Vic" for short) is a federated school of the University of Toronto, consisting of Victoria College and Emmanuel College. Victoria University is somewhat distinct from the rest of the university being across Queen's Park from the main section of the campus, along with St. Michael's College. Victoria College is today home to about 4,000 students.
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In recent years, Victoria has had the third-highest entering average of U of T colleges, the highest entering average of the large colleges. Victoria used to be considered a distant second to Trinity College in terms of academics and wealth. In recent years, however, Victoria has surpassed Trinity to become the richest college at U of T. In part this has been because of alumni donations, but mostly it has been due to the rapidly increasing value of Victoria's large real estate holdings in downtown Toronto. Victoria today has a securities portfolio worth over $78 million and a real estate portfolio worth over $80 million. This helps provide the college with a revenue of over $26 million per year.[1]. By contrast Trinity's investments total about $55 million.[2]. The academic difference between the two colleges is also now minimal.
Victoria College was originally founded (as Upper Canada Academy--the name was changed in 1841) in Cobourg, Ontario, to the east of Toronto, in 1836, largely due to the efforts of Egerton Ryerson. The school was Canada's main Methodist university. Victoria University was formed in 1884 when Victoria College and Albert College federated with each other. In 1892, Victoria University moved from Cobourg and federated with the University of Toronto. The current campus at the corner of Queen's Park Crescent and Bloor Street in Toronto was opened the same year. In 1928, the independent Union College federated with the theology department of Victoria College, and became Emmanuel College.
The oldest residence building at Victoria College is Burwash Hall. Other residences include Margaret Addison Hall, Annesley Hall, and Rowell Jackman Hall.
Vic's financial power has allowed it to become one of the most attractive colleges at U of T for students. It offers more scholarships per capita than any other college, and has one of the largest libraries (the recently renovated E. J. Pratt Library) - as well as the largest student centre - of any college.
Victoria University's particular strengths are in the humanities, especially English and Renaissance History.
Alumni of Victoria University include Lester B. Pearson, Margaret Atwood, Northrop Frye, Margaret Avison, Wilbur R. Franks, E. J. Pratt, Donald Sutherland, and Norman Jewison, who is currently the Chancellor of Victoria University.
Recent Controversy
In the winter of 2006, controversy emerged after the publication of cartoons within the student newspaper, The Strand, depicting Jesus and the Prophet Mohammed holding hands. These cartoons were widely viewed as anti-religious and published solely for the controversy and the publicity that would emerge. The editor of the paper defended the cartoons as designed to provoke discussion. The undergraduates students union head has begun lobbying for the removal of the paper from stands.[3]