The late June issue of Maclean’s is “The University Student Issue” scheduled, it seems, to help form expectations (and sell magazines) to students — and the parents of — going to big school this fall.
The results presented are based on a three different survey of graduates. In the Methodology article Mary Dwyer writes:
You will find results from three surveys on the following pages: the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), the Canadian Undergraduate Survey Consortium (CUSC) and the Maclean’s University Graduate Survey. The first two are national surveys commissioned by the universities themselves.
The Maclean’s one got responses from 14,697 graduates of 23 different Canadian schools. In one of its sections, the magazine presents the percentage of respondents for each university who gave it top marks in the category.
Waterloo’s percentiles of top responses compared to other universities:
- significant benefit 75
- library resources 69
- recommend to a friend 59
- teaching and instruction 55
- learning environment 50
- extra curricular 50
- educational experience 50
- student services 41
Student services is a big loser at 41st percentile in the population of the 23 schools. Best for UW is “significant benefit” at 75th, which I think has to do with co-op and reputation.
Recommend UW? Most alumni say yes DB 26 Jun 2006
The largest asset most people own is their home. I’m not too close to home ownership but I think it is worth learning more about mortgages, mortgage refinancing, and other things like that as knowledge investment in the future.
Historically low interest and mortgage rates heated up the housing sector as housing starts soared. With significant savings from financing and refinancing houses, consumers were able to spend more on home-related projects.
The Daily — Study: Retail trade since the turn of the millennium StatCan Monday, October 17, 2005
Households’ willingness and ability to spend accumulated housing wealth—through equity withdrawals and mortgage refinancing—have been a major contributor to the growth in consumer expenditures.
Budget Plan 2006 Chapter 2: Economic Developments and Prospects Department of Finance
Housing starts in Canada are forecast to decline 1.5 per cent this year to 222,200 units. Still, 2006 will be the fifth consecutive year in which housing starts exceed the 200,000 unit threshhold.
National Housing Outlook Housing Market Outlook, Canadian Edition, Second Quarter 2006 page 2
The strong economic growth in Canada has experienced provides a solid underpinning for renovation expenditures. Record sales of existing homes over the past two years and historically low interest rates combined with the growth in mortgage refinancing activities have provided a strong stimulus for renovation activity.
Renovation Forecast CMHC Housing Outlook: National Edition Third Quarter 2003 page 6
There has been less than adequate job growth in the US and the mortgage refinance backed consumer spending has likely run its course. However, interest rates are at very low levels and the lower US dollar is making american good more competitive.
Trends Impacting Housing CMHC Housing Outlook: National Edition Third Quarter 2003 page 4
Students and Federation of Students, University of Waterloo are waiting to hear the ruling from the Ontario Highway Transport Board on the STC/Fed Bus licence application that was heard on 24 and 25 July 2006.
Felix from the board said he expects it to be out early next week.
Fed Bus ruling expected early next week uwstudent.org 8 Aug 2006
