McMaster has submitted its report to the Bob Rae Postsecondary Education Review. Provost Ken Norrie led the creation of the McMaster submission which was developed following discussions with Senate, the University Planning Committee, the Board of Governors and others across campus.

“What we heard from people throughout the University was remarkably consistent,” says Norrie. “We heard loud and clear that funding shortfalls are putting at risk our ability to maintain quality programs, services and facilities for students. The particular needs of a research-intensive university like McMaster were also a major consideration.”

Rae issued a discussion paper on higher education earlier this fall. Norrie says it clearly and with great vigour affirmed the importance of postsecondary education for the future of our civil society and our economic prosperity. He says, “We didn't need to convince Rae that the system is at risk. As well, the Council of Ontario Universities submission was firmly focused on the underfunding issues. Instead we tried to demonstrate how the innovative approaches to learning developed at McMaster, and the collaborations and partnerships that we've established have the potential to help create a postsecondary system for Ontario that is built on excellence, accessibility and accountability. We balanced this with our frustrations over not having the resources to do more and the lost opportunities if the province doesn't fix the system.”

Bob Rae is to issue his final report to the government early in the new year. McMaster will now focus on reinforcing the messages in its Rae submission through discussions with the Review, politicians and other key community stakeholders.