Presentation by Brian and Janice as part of the York University Student Affairs + Services Symposium 2012

1. Mature and Part-time Learner
Supports in Canadian Universities
Brian Poser, Director, ACMAPS, York University
Janice Ngeno, Special Projects Assistant, ACMAPS, York University
Student Affairs and Services Symposium, July 11, 2012

2. York Facts
• Founded in 1959
• Third largest in Canada
• 10 Faculties
• >50,000 students
• 1400 FT faculty members
• 1000 PT faculty/TA
• 9000+ mature Students
• 7200+ part-time students
2

3. Background: Demographics
York student population
101s and 105s
Highly diverse student body
How do we define “Mature”?
admissions category
age, life experience, etc.
3

4. Atkinson Centre for Mature and Part-
time Students
Established August 2007
Pan-university mission and mandate
Four Pillars:
access support
advocacy research
3 Full-time staff, 1 work/study student, 15
volunteer peer mentors
4

5. Context for this research
ACMAPS 5-Year Review
• Unit History
• Literature review
• Environmental Scan
• Analysis of institutional data
• Unit self-study
5

6. Environmental Scan – Rationale
Learning what supports were “out there” to assess our
positioning
Testing the perception/assumption that formalized
mature and part-time students supports were a rare
phenomenon in Canadian Universities.
Building network of practitioners who work with mature
and part-time students with a view to sharing
information and best practices and developing
research partnerships 6

7. Environmental Scan – Preliminary
Findings
Between January and April, 2012, we systematically
searched 95 Canadian university* web sites
Search terms included:
• mature
• part-time
• adult learner
• étudiants adultes
• parents étudiant
*Universities were identified by their listings on CUDO
and AUCC 7

8. Environmental Scan – Preliminary
Findings
We were specifically searching for universities with:
• Administrative units to compare to ACMAPS
• Student clubs or associations supporting mature
and part-time students
• Continuing education programs (which are a
parallel site of support for adult learners on
university campuses).
• Nb. we excluded Bridging Programs and 8
supports at Community Colleges.

9. Environmental Scan – Preliminary
Findings
Here is what we found on our preliminary scan:
68 Continuing Education 22 student 16 dedicated
programs associations or administrative services for
Mature/Part-time
Brock University, Carleton University, Laurentian University, Lakehead clubs
University, University of Guelph, McMaster University, OCAD University, Students
University of Ottawa, Queens University, Ryerson University, University of Laurentian University
Toronto, Trent University, University of Waterloo, University of Western Lakehead University Carleton University
Ontario, University of Windsor, Wilfrid Laurier University, Acadia University of Guelph McMaster University
University, Dalhousie University, Mount Saint Vincent University, Nova Ryerson University Queens University
Scotia Agricultural College, St. Mary’s University, St. Francis Xavier University of Toronto University of Waterloo
University, University of Prince Edward Island, Memorial University of University of Windsor University of Western Ontario
Newfoundland, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Royal Roads Wilfred Laurier University Dalhousie University
University, Simon Fraser University, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Mount Saint Vincent University St. Mary’s University
Thompson River University, Trinity Western University, University of University of Prince Edward Island Trinity Western University
British Columbia, University of Northern British Columbia, University of Memorial University of Newfound Land Mount Royal University
the Fraser Valley, University of Victoria, Vancouver Island University, University of Northern British Columbia University of Manitoba
Concordia University College of Alberta, Mount Royal University, University of Victoria University of Winnipeg
University of Alberta, University of Calgary, University of Manitoba, Mount Allison University University of New Brunswick
Canadian Mennonite University, University of Winnipeg, Université de University of New Brunswick Concordia University
Saint Boniface, Mount Allison University, Université de Moncton, Concordia University McGill University
University of New Brunswick, Concordia University, McGill University, Université de Montréal University of Moncton
École des Hautes Études Commerciales de Montréal, Université St. Anne, Université de Sherbrooke York University
École Polytechnique de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Université de Université de Laval
Sherbrooke, Université de Laval, Université de Québec, , Université de Université du Québec à Montréal
Québec-École nationale d’administration publique, Université du Québec Université du Québec à Rimouski
à Montréal, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Université du Québec a University of Saskatchewan
Trois Rivière, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Université du Québec à
Chicoutimi, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, First
York University
9
Nations University of Canada, University of Regina, University of
Saskatchewan, York University

10. Environmental Scan – Preliminary
Findings
What do these preliminary findings suggest?
•the relatively large proportion of continuing/extended learning programs
does provides a point of access, recognition of the learning needs
(flexibility, vocational focus) of mature learners, and presumably a
source of revenue for the institution
•The smallish number of clubs and associations may tell us something
about the level of engagement in co-curricular activities open to mature
and part-time students
•The relatively small number of dedicated services for mature and part-
time students may reflect smaller populations of mature and part-time
students, or perhaps an integration or embeddedness of mature and
part-time student needs in all services 10

11. Secondary examination – looking at the
16 service units we found
11

12. Secondary examination – looking at the
16 service units we found
Having found so few dedicated supports for mature
and part-time students in Canadian universities, we
wanted to learn more about their histories, mandates,
and service profiles.
We conducted a short survey to examine:
1. When the unit was founded
2. The mandate of the unit
3. Whether it is a university or student government office
4. How the unit defines mature and part-time
5. Staffing complement
6. Population of mature and part-time students at the unit’s institution
7. Issues faced by students at the institution
8. Services offered by the unit 12

13. Secondary examination – looking at the
16 service units we found
Results indicate that dedicated service units for
students were even more rare than originally thought.
Services connected to Service unit – university Service unit – student
non-credit and/or administration government
continuing/extended
Carleton University
education Queens University
McMaster University
University of Waterloo Western University
Dalhousie University University of Winnipeg
St. Mary’s University York University
Trinity Western University*
Mount Royal University
University of Manitoba
University of New Brunswick
Concordia University
McGill University
University of Moncton
13

14. Secondary examination – looking at the
16 service units we found
Services connected
to non-credit and/or
continuing/extended
education (n=10)
University of Waterloo
Dalhousie University
St. Mary’s University
Trinity Western University*
Mount Royal University
University of Manitoba
University of New Brunswick
Concordia University
McGill University
University of Moncton 14

15. Secondary examination – looking at the
16 service units we found
Service unit –
University
administration
(n=4)
Queens University
Western University
University of Winnipeg
York University
15

16. Secondary examination – looking at the
16 service units we found
Service unit –
student government
(n=2)
Carleton University
McMaster University
16

17. Secondary examination – looking at the
16 service units we found
Service unit –
University
administration
(n=4)
• Ban Righ Centre
• founded 1974
Queens University • serving mature student
Western University women
• run in conjunction with
University of Winnipeg
University and Ban Righ
York University Foundation
• 1 FT, 3 PT, 3 student staff
• Nearly 15,000 students attend
institution.
• Numbers of mature and/or
part-time students not 17
reported.

18. Secondary examination – looking at the
16 service units we found
Service unit –
University
administration
(n=4) • Part of what is now called the
Student Success Centre
• founded in 1950’s
Queens University
• supports critical transitions of
Western University students throughout their
University of Winnipeg university career
York University • 4 FT (5-10% each), 1 PT and 2
student staff
• Approx. 21,000 attend
institution
• 1500-2500 mature and 3500
part-time students attend
18

19. Secondary examination – looking at the
16 service units we found
Service unit –
University
administration
(n=4) • Adult Learner Services and
Prior Learning Assessment
and Recognition
Queens University
• founded 2006 (PLAR 1999)
Western University • advocacy and promotion of
University of Winnipeg learning environments
York University supportive of adult learners.
• 9500 students attend
institution
• 3000 mature students in 2008;
number part-time not reported.
19

20. Secondary examination – looking at the
16 service units we found
Service unit –
University
administration
(n=4) • Atkinson Centre for Mature
and Part-time Students
• founded 2007
Queens University
• 3 FT, 1-2 PT, and 15 student
Western University volunteer staff
University of Winnipeg • Mandate of access, advocacy,
York University support and research
• More than 50,000 students
attend institution
• 9000+ mature and 7200+ part-
time
20

21. Secondary examination – looking at the
16 service units we found
Service unit –
student government
(n=2)
• McMaster Association of Part-
Carleton University time Students
McMaster University • founded 1979
• representing and advocating
for the distinct needs of part-
time students. Also provides
lounge and workshops.
• 2 FT, 2 PT/Student staff.
• 27,000 students attend
institution
• 3000 part-time students attend
any given term; number of 21
mature students not reported.

22. Secondary examination – looking at the
16 service units we found
Service unit –
student government
(n=2)
• Bill Ellis Centre for Mature and
Part-time Students – a service
Carleton University of CUSA, Carleton University
McMaster University Students’ Association.
• Other data not reported.
22

23. Secondary examination – looking at the
16 service units we found
Definitions of mature
•Began undergraduate studies at age 21 or later and/or has children; one year or longer
interruption to studies (Queen’s, Ban Righ)
•Will be at least 21 years of age in the calendar year in which admission is sought.
Do not have a formal basis of admission (applicants having previously attended a university
or community college will be reviewed under those regulations). Have not normally been in
full-time attendance at an educational institution within the previous four years. Have
achieved at least a “C” (60%) standing in ALL academic work attempted within the previous
four years. (Western)
•Mature Status - a student who is at least 21 years of age and does not meet Regular Status
but meets one of the criteria. Mature Access - a student who is at least 21 years of age who
does not meet Mature Status. We use the term, Adult Learner which is defined by a student
who has been out of school for at least three years. Adult learners could be Regular Status,
Mature Status or Mature Access Status - the latter two are temporary statuses. (Winnipeg)
23

24. Secondary examination – looking at the
16 service units we found
Definitions of mature (cont’d)
•21 years or older as of the first day of the session for which you have applied, and if you
have been out of full time high school studies for at least two years. You can also apply as a
mature student if you have previously attempted less than one full year of studies at an
accredited university or college. Undergraduates aged 25 or older. (York)
•21 years of age, out of school 2 years, not completed full year of university (McMaster)
24

25. Secondary examination – looking at the
16 service units we found
Definitions of part-time
•Students taking 3 or fewer courses during the term (Western)
•Any student who registers for less than 3 half courses (9 credit hours) per term. A student's
status can change from part-time to full-time and back again depending on how many
courses they register for in any one term. (Winnipeg)
•Students taking fewer than 9 credits per term. (York)
•There are two definitions of "part-time" at McMaster University. The first is an academic
definition used by McMaster University to refer to any student enrolled in less than 24 units
(80 percent). The second definition of "part-time" is used by the McMaster Students Union
(MSU) and the McMaster Association of Part-Time Students (MAPS) to refer to a student that
is enrolled in less than 18 units (60 percent). (McMaster)
25

26. Secondary examination – looking at the
16 service units we found
In response to the question “what types of support does your
office/service provide to mature and/or part-time students?”:
• Orientations and meet & greets (8 of 8)
• Referrals (8 of 8)
• Academic advising (6 of 8)
• Workshops (6 of 8)
• Financial aid (4 of 8)
• Advocacy (3 of 8)
• Counselling (2 of 8)
•Other support services include: computer lab, quiet work spaces, group
work spaces, free soup or salad at lunch, personal and financial
advising, speakers series.
26

27. Secondary examination – looking at the
16 service units we found
When asked “what are some key issues/barriers/challenges facing
mature students at your university?”:
• Financial barriers (8 of 8)
• Competing responsibilities (7 of 8)
• Academic Transitions (6 of 8)
• Course availability (6 of 8)
• Engaging in student life (5 of 8)
• Childcare (4 of 8)
Other responses:
• parking,
• a lack of on-line learning,
• more options for financial aid and entrance scholarships for non-
traditional students.
• emotional and physical issues that are not considered serious enough
27
to be disabilities, but that still affect school work.

28. Key take-aways
• The service units we found share some commonalities,
but also suggest different “models” or “elements” of
service delivery
• Sharing expertise through network has potential to
enhance service to students
• Future directions could include: examination of Bridging
Programs, continuing education programs, Community
College supports; cataloguing of student
clubs/associations; and understanding better how other
schools support these populations of students
28

29. 5-Year Review Update
From January 2012-end of May 2012, we developed a series of
“backgrounder” documents for each of the areas previously mentioned:
• Unit History
• Literature review
• Environmental Scan
• Analysis of institutional data
• Unit self-study
A working group whose role will be to generate recommendations for
ACMAPS’ mandate going forward has been established and our inaugural
meeting takes place this week.
29

30. Contact information
Atkinson Centre for Mature and Part-time Students,
York University
www.yorku.ca/acmaps
Brian Poser, Director: bposer@yorku.ca
30