Main Characteristics of McGill University
McGill University is a constituent of the university network of the
Province of Quebec, with considerable freedom in maintaining its tradition
of excellent education and research. It is an English-language institution
in predominantly French-speaking Quebec. The lectures are generally given
in English, however, the term papers and examinations may be submitted either
in English or French.
Governance
The 42 governors of the University constitute the Royal Institution for
the Advancement of Learning, a corporation existing under the laws of the
Province of Quebec. In them is vested the management of finances, the
appointment of professors, and other duties.The Board elects the
Chancellor of the University and also, from amongst its
members, a chair to preside at its meetings, who may also be the Chancellor.
The Chancellor, the Principal, and the President of the McGill Students'
Society are ex-officio members. The Chancellor is presiding officer of
Convocation and of joint sessions of the Board of Governors and the Senate.
The Chair of the Board of Governors is President of the Royal Institution
for the Advancement of Learning. The Principal and Vice-Chancellor is the
academic head and chief administrative officer of the University appointed
by the Board of Governors. The Principal is, ex-officio, Chair of Senate.
The Senate is the highest academic authority of the University and has control
over admission, courses of study, discipline, and degrees. The regulations of
Senate are executed by the various faculties and schools which also carry
primary responsibility for the educational work of the University.
Budget and funding
McGill has an annual operating budget of more than $ 400 million, the bulk of
which comes from Quebec government grants. Research grants, tuition fees,
endowment and investment income, and gifts and bequests provide other sources
of funds. The University has over 80 named chairs (i.e., senior academic
positions held by internationally distinguished staff members). These academic
positions indicate significant private support for McGill's research, teaching,
and service, stemming from individuals and companies prominent at the local,
national and international level. Endowment funds of $ 290 million, built up
over the past 150 years by hundreds of individuals and institutions, yield an
average net income of approximately $ 32 million annually, $ 13 million of
which is added back to the capital to protect the real value after inflation.
The remainder is allocated toward research, teaching, and student aid according
to the purposes of the individual endowments.
Teaching and research
In addition to the Centre for Continuing Education, McGill incorporates 11
faculties, 12 schools, and three affiliated theological colleges. Numerous
under-graduate and graduate degree programs are offered. Graduate study includes
18 Master's degree programs and doctoral programs in Civil Law, Education, Music
and Philosophy (representing close to 60 disciplines). Joint programs with other
Quebec universities are also offered in a number of areas.
International agreements with universities in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South
America provide interesting opportunities for student and faculty exchanges.
McGill has for many decades been a leader among Canadian universities in graduate
studies and research. Nine of the 14 Canadian Networks of Centres of Excellence
have strong McGill involvement; three of them are actually based at McGill.
Students and staff
The total full time enrollment as at September 2009 was 35,300 students from over 150
different countries. Of these 20,854 were full-time undergraduates, 6,034 full-time graduates,
and 1,083 residents and fellows. As of June 2009, staff included 1,627 tenured and tenure-
track professors, and 3,457 administrative and support staff. The university is
also active in providing courses and programs to the community through the "Centre
for continuing education" which serves nearly ten thousand students per semester.
Facilities
The Montreal downtown campus covers approximately 32 hectares (80 acres) of land,
with some 70 buildings. The Macdonald campus west of the city extends over 640
hectares (1,600 acres) and includes a major new cattle complex, research farm,
orchards and the Morgan arboretum.