Social sciences to expand its first-year Inquiry Program

The Faculty of Social Sciences will receive an additional $100,000 in continuing reallocation funds to operate and expand its first-year Inquiry Program. The funding, recommended by the University Budget Committee and recently approved by the Board of Governors, is being made to acknowledge the program's success.

Alan Harrison, dean of social sciences, says the funding was requested “to bring the level of core funding in line with reality.” The program, established in 1998, has been extremely successful and was already spending more than had been budgeted for, he notes.

The three-unit course, which is taken in conjunction with a student's program of study, uses content as a vehicle for skill development, Harrison explains. Over 250 students took one of 11 sessions offered during the 1999-2000 year. “We expect an increased enrolment this year and we expect to be offering 14 to 16 sessions.”

The program provides a small-class experience and offers students a chance to be exposed to and develop both research and analytical skills.

“The first-year Inquiry Program is an example of where a Faculty has done very well,” says Harvey Weingarten, provost and vice-president academic. “It's been very successful, and we feel we have to reward that.”

When established, the program received $33,000 in start-up funding. Currently, it is costing over $100,000 annually, Weingarten adds.

Reallocation funds were also awarded to Bachelor of Health Sciences Program and the Multimedia Program, two innovative programs that have already shown great promise.