Backgrounder


Government Invests In Ryerson's New Student Learning Centre

January 24, 2008

The government's Fall Economic Statement announced a $1.4 billion investment in strategic infrastructure to encourage economic activity, create short-term jobs, help municipalities and enhance Ontario's competitiveness.

As part of the funding for strategic infrastructure projects, the Ontario government is investing $45 million in a new Ryerson Student Learning Centre, which is expected to create roughly 450 jobs.

The centre will include a state-of-the-art library making the best use of new electronic technologies and new approaches to library services. It will also provide extensive space for students to learn individually and in small groups, in a secure environment.

Using electronic resources will make it easier to keep material up-to-date and reduce the need for storages. The centre will provide supports and services to improve students' skills in math, writing, making presentations, and using library resources to their full advantage.

  • Ryerson's existing library was developed for a polytechnic institute which required fewer resources and for a much smaller student body. Since becoming a university in 1993, undergraduate enrolment at Ryerson has increased by more than 60 per cent.
  • Including today's announcement, the Ontario government has provided $71 million to support capital projects at Ryerson since 2003-04. These investments are being used to improve the quality of postsecondary education by helping the university respond to recent enrolment growth.

This funding builds upon other recent investments by the government in Ontario's vital postsecondary system, including:

  • A $365 million investment in the 2007 Budget to support quality improvements at colleges and universities
  • $40 million provided to colleges and universities annually through the Facilities Renewal Program.
  • $30 million provided in 2006 through the Economic Stimulus Package to colleges in areas of the province where economic growth was slower than anticipated.
  • $180 million provided between 2003 and 2006 for new buildings and renovations, providing spaces for 21,000 more students.

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