Redeemer College
pursues
degree-granting charter
Ontario considers private member’s bill
By
Kevin Heinrichs
ChristianWeek staff
ANCASTER, ON–Redeemer College may soon be able to issue undergraduate degrees in arts and science rather than its current bachelor degrees in Christian Studies and Christian Education.
The curriculum hasn’t changed at the 500-student institute; nor has the faculty, library holdings or any other measurable degree of institutional quality. The only change would be the Ontario government’s permission for the college to grant the degrees.
"We’re very encouraged," says Redeemer president Justin Cooper. "It represents a change in attitude for the province of Ontario. At bottom, it represents an openness to the legitimacy of Christian education."
The Ontario government is considering a private member’s bill that would amend Redeemer’s charter to allow it to issue bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees in addition to the degrees it currently offers. The bill, sponsored by Wentworth North MPP Toni Skarica, was presented May 5 and needs to go through the legislative process of committee hearings and second and third readings.
