Maclean’s ranking system doesn’t address student experience: admin

St. Thomas University has been writing letters to Maclean’s magazine every year since 2007.

For the past four years, the Annual University Rankings have left St. Thomas in the dust. In 2007, St. Thomas made a massive leap backwards to 18th. This year, we ranked 16th.

The first letter stated, “The new methodology used in arriving at the overall rankings obscures the unique attributes of St. Thomas University and unfairly penalized our institution.”

The letter then recognizes Maclean’s reputation and what a low ranking may mean for STU’s enrolment numbers.

“Your new methodology for rankings…completely fails to address the student experience. It reduces the complexity of post-secondary education to financial resources and research.”

But even though the 2009 letter was personally handed to Kenneth Whyte, editor-in-chief of the magazine, when he was the Dalton Camp lecturer in journalism at STU, nothing has changed.

It turns out the magazine revitalized its system in 2007, weighting things like the school’s operating budget and student and faculty awards much higher than in previous years.

According to the letters, these categories are one’s STU is hardly eligible for.

In 2004, STU had over 2,900 students. By 2006, enrolment dipped by 300 people. But there were decreases in enrolment across the board for New Brunswick universities that year, according to the Association of Atlantic Universities preliminary surveys of enrolment. This year, St. Thomas gained 63 students, and is sitting at 2,449.

Prospective student Nicole Mountain says Maclean’s rankings do make “somewhat of a difference” in her decision.”

“Although several other factors go into my decision, I will take this into consideration, as both of the universities I applied to are included [in the list],” Mountain said. “One is higher in the list, the other is a bit lower. So all in all, yes, this list does impact my decision to an extent.”

But Alicia Silliker disagrees. She says the rankings don’t make her want to change her university decisions.

“These rankings aren’t really based on the things that I am focusing on in regards to attending university,” Silliker said. “Of course academics are the main priority, but so many other factors go into choosing the right university, and these rankings don’t really take those into consideration.”

Jennalee Cole is considering St. Thomas as well. It’s STU’s unique programs that draw her.

“Personally, my decisions will be ranked on scholarships, price, the city itself, class sizes, student-professor relationships etc.,” Cole said. “Also, in the Maritimes I only know of three schools that offer a bachelor of social work, and St. Thomas is the closest. Although it’s unfortunate to see St. Thomas did not rank higher, it will not affect my decision.”

There are three categories that each university falls into. STU has done well in its category of universities that focus on undergraduate studies. In 2005, we scored sixth out of 22 schools. In 2006, we were ranked eighth.

Since 1991, Maclean’s has ranked Canadian universities on “key skills” and then weighs them to decide who comes out on top.

But if operating budget and student and faculty awards are important “measure of an institution’s worth” to Maclean’s, STU’s focus on critical thinking and teaching goodness, knowledge and discipline means it may not measure up.

Maclean’s magazine could not be reached for comment.