New satellite campus planned in Richmond
Urban setting to increase university presence
April 2, 2008
Lauren Thompson
In the past five years, Trinity Western University has extended its presence across Canada – as far east as Ottawa, due to the Laurentian Leadership Centre, and recently as far south as Bellingham with a new satellite campus established there last year. The next move for extension will take place in the university’s own backyard: Metro Vancouver.
According to Ron Kuehl, vice president of external relations, TWU is in the process of working with a donor who has offered the school a facility in Richmond to operate a satellite campus.
Though Kuehl could not mention names, he did say the donor is a well-known Canadian philanthropist who often assists charities in the Lower Mainland. The donor chose to give the land to TWU after considering both the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University.
“The facility is of great use, utility and interest as a way to strengthen our presence in Richmond,” Kuehl said. “It will give us a higher profile in Metro Vancouver.”
Right now, the concern is the feasibility of the campus itself. With dropping enrolment and budget problems, adding another campus could create concerns. But Kuehl assures the increased presence in Vancouver will be imperative for the university’s growth.
“The Port Mann bridge is frankly a very large barrier,” Kuehl said.
The new campus will hopefully break that barrier.
As for budget, “[We are] doing a feasibility study to determine whether we can actually make this thing work,” he said. Though the facility is donated, the university will incur the financial burden of maintaining the campus and programs there in the future. Kuehl said they are currently fundraising to offset these costs.
“It’s quite normal, considering we’re already doing this,” said Kuehl, speaking of the currently operating TWU extensions.
Specific programs have not been set this early in the process, but ideas have been considered. One prominent idea is the development of a Can-Asian studies centre.
Kuehl said a financial model is being worked out, and the Board of Governors will vote on the proposal in late April.
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