I was recently asked to provide a brief interview about the University of Alberta for its centennial. Here are my answers:
>> Name
Ian Bushfield
>> Age
22
>> Hometown
Balzac, Alberta
>> Year in School
Entering 5th
>> Major/Course of Study
Engineering Physics
>> What were your reasons for choosing the University of Alberta?
It was still close to Calgary, however let me move out, and the UofA seemed a better school for engineering than the UofC.
>> Did you consider other schools as well?
Not really, I looked briefly at the UofC, but didn’t end up applying there. I only applied to the UofA and got in with no trouble.
>> What has your overall experience been like?
Very good, I lived in Lister Hall for 2 years (2 Henday), and have been active in various aspects of student life.
>> Is it the college experience you expected?
I didn’t know too much what to experience coming in, but I have enjoyed my time thus far.
>> What is something you were surprised to learn about the school once you were enrolled?
There’s a lot of free food and pizza if you know where to look.
>> What makes it such a great place to study?
The campus is very beautiful in the summer and fall, and the buildings have a good variety of old and new architechture.
>> What would you like to say about the school I did not ask?
I feel the university has a proud history, with generations of proud UofA alumni. Sometimes the school of late feels like it’s a bit too focussed on its reputation and prestige than on the students attending it. The students make the university and we have an incredible population of
students at this school. I’m always proud to be a representative of the UofA.
I felt like posting this here for the last question. My school, and likely many others, have been active in moving from a student-based institution to a factory for giving out degrees.
When events like Engineering Week, which hold legends of unimaginable expressions of free spirits, have been reduced in size and even renamed, for fear of offending our Faculty, our school loses some of its touch. This past year we saw the university administration attempt to pass through drastic changes to the residence hall association (but failed), and to remove credit card payments from the list of options, both without consultation, and in past we have witnessed the closing of graduate residences, and many other sweeping moves. There’s little doubt why the end of the school year saw the formation of the “Dare to Deceive” protest group.
With all that however, I do still like this school, and I value the degree I’m working towards. However, I feel it could have come without the same level of admistrative bull shit.
