UNBC IS great, Mr Godbout!
(Response to "Math doesn't add up", Citizen, Mar. 7, 2015.)
I graduated from DP Todd in 1994, the year UNBC opened its doors up on the hill; going there meant I did not have to relocate. I received degrees in mathematics and physics and was encouraged by supportive faculty to pursue graduate studies. I had several opportunities at UNBC to conduct research with my professors, which allowed me to attend graduate school at the University of Alberta on scholarships.
My BSc degree from UNBC was completed long before UNBC secured a ranking as second in its class by Maclean's magazine. I was concerned about my preparation to compete with top students from large universities. I am proud to say that I was at least as prepared as those from the large universities like U of Toronto, and much more so when it came to research. I completed a productive PhD and was determined to continue research and teaching as a career. I wanted to launch the careers of others the way my professors had launched mine.
This meant working directly with undergraduate students, involving them in relevant, cutting-edge research. UNBC is, in my opinion, the best research-intensive, primarily undergraduate university in the country. It is why I moved back to Prince George.
If, as you imply Mr. Godbout, Maclean's university rankings has it wrong and UNBC is not the second best university in its class in Canada, then it is surely THE BEST. You accuse faculty of misleading the public in your article, but your attempt at diminishing the status of UNBC in the eyes of the public is misleading. It is also unfair both to the current students at UNBC and to alumni. Our degrees are excellent ones! Surely as an alumnus of UNBC yourself, you recognize this?
The labour dispute at UNBC is about sustainability of the institution, its reputation, and of the value of the degrees it offers. I want UNBC to offer an excellent education for my children and grandchildren. I want to continue to see these excellent degrees stay in our community and launch careers of business leaders, nurses, doctors and innovators of the future. Students, faculty and staff built a truly excellent university in a short time, and I am thrilled to be part of it moving forward.
Prof. Matt Reid
Prince George
