McGill to open Plateau Campus for artsiest departments by 2016
Provost Anthony C. Masi revealed a major modification to McGill’s Master Plan Tuesday morning by announcing that the university is planning to establish a Plateau Campus that will be fully operational by the start of the 2016-2017 academic year.
The primary motivation behind the project is the glaring reality that McGill’s artsiest departments aren’t realizing their full potential on the mainstream Downtown Campus.
“Our MacDonald Campus provides Agriculture and Environmental Sciences students with the perfect setting to pursue their studies because it’s a rural space in the middle of nowhere,” explained Masi. “Montreal’s Plateau neighbourhood has one of the highest artsiness per capita ratios in the world, and it’s about time we allowed our students to feed off of those vibes and make the most out of their education.”
“No-brainer” departments such as Drama & Theatre, Cultural Studies, and Art History have already received confirmation that they will be relocating to the Plateau Campus in 2016. Other candidates such as Music Performance and Literature that “could go either way” are still being weighed by administration.
With the plan’s framework in place, McGill has already begun reaching out to Plateau businesses about potential collaborations.
“We’ve got a lot of ideas of how to engage students in the neighbourhood beyond the main campus,” said Masi. “Café Névé is happy to accept meal plan flex dollars, Le Belmont has expressed interest in providing us with rehearsal space during the day, and we’re already in talks to host our Cultural Studies film screenings at Cinema L’Amour.”
The news was well received among students that will be relocating, but also excited those staying at the Downtown Campus.
“Thank God they’re expanding,” began U1 Arts student Amita Mall. “This better mean that I don’t have to take any more fucking Poli Sci classes in the gym.”
In order to accommodate students taking Plateau Campus courses as electives, there will be a shuttle service offering cheap bicycles located at the Milton Gates.
The primary motivation behind the project is the glaring reality that McGill’s artsiest departments aren’t realizing their full potential on the mainstream Downtown Campus.
“Our MacDonald Campus provides Agriculture and Environmental Sciences students with the perfect setting to pursue their studies because it’s a rural space in the middle of nowhere,” explained Masi. “Montreal’s Plateau neighbourhood has one of the highest artsiness per capita ratios in the world, and it’s about time we allowed our students to feed off of those vibes and make the most out of their education.”
“No-brainer” departments such as Drama & Theatre, Cultural Studies, and Art History have already received confirmation that they will be relocating to the Plateau Campus in 2016. Other candidates such as Music Performance and Literature that “could go either way” are still being weighed by administration.
With the plan’s framework in place, McGill has already begun reaching out to Plateau businesses about potential collaborations.
“We’ve got a lot of ideas of how to engage students in the neighbourhood beyond the main campus,” said Masi. “Café Névé is happy to accept meal plan flex dollars, Le Belmont has expressed interest in providing us with rehearsal space during the day, and we’re already in talks to host our Cultural Studies film screenings at Cinema L’Amour.”
The news was well received among students that will be relocating, but also excited those staying at the Downtown Campus.
“Thank God they’re expanding,” began U1 Arts student Amita Mall. “This better mean that I don’t have to take any more fucking Poli Sci classes in the gym.”
In order to accommodate students taking Plateau Campus courses as electives, there will be a shuttle service offering cheap bicycles located at the Milton Gates.