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1907: University of Saskatchewan Created
The University of Saskatchewan was created through "an Act to establish and incorporate a
University for the Province of Saskatchewan" in April of 1907. Known as the University Act, this provincial statute created an
institution that was both publicly funded yet independent of the government of
the day. There was to be one university
for the whole province created "for the purpose of providing facilities for
higher education in all its branches and enabling all persons without regard to
race, creed or religion to take the fullest advantage". 1
Though
the Act called for two
administrative officers, the president and registrar, it was the latter who
would take priority. The Minister of
Education, J.A. Calder, appointed his deputy minister D.P. McColl as registrar,
thereby starting the process of forming the university. The first step was to create
convocation. It was through this body
that the chancellor and senate would be elected. The senate and the government would then establish the Board of
Governors who would in turn appoint a president.
Since convocation is made up of graduates and the U of S had yet to
hold its first class, a convocation had to be created. It was to "consist of all graduates of any
university
in his Majesty’s dominions who are actually residing in the province
three months prior to the date fixed for the first meeting of
Convocation". In early September 299 graduates
were registered. Though it was
scheduled to meet in the autumn of 1907, convocation did not meet until early
1908. This delay did not prevent the
election of the senate and chancellor, however, because that process was
conducted through the mail. Chief
Justice Edward L. Wetmore, the only nominee, was elected Chancellor and the
senate met for the first time on 13 November. 2
Related Collections | |
President’s Office fonds, RG 2001, Series I.
J.E. Murray fonds, MG 61.
M Hayden fonds, MG 72.
Images | |
1907a: Wetmore, E.L., [ca.1907-17], Photograph
Collection, B-6.
1907b: University
Act, 1907.
1907c: Declaration
of new Chancellor, 16 Oct, 1907, Controller’s Office fonds, RG 2008, Series 3, file 74-16
Chancellor, 1907-1914.
Sources | |
1. University Act, 1907.
2. Hayden, p. 12-13.
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