Memorial University

Memorial is moving toward a more sustainable model of co-operative education which will use resources in more effective and efficient ways than the previous model.

In January 2014, Dr. David Wardlaw, then provost and vice-president (academic), released a report which summarized an administrative review of the Division of Co-operative Education conducted by Jane Helleur & Associates Inc. This review, along with consultations with applicable units, revealed the need for change.

The report concluded by recommending that the Division of Co-operative Education move to a more decentralized organizational structure in which administration, budget, and delivery of co-operative education is devolved to faculties and schools but with a university-level committee to guide future developments, and to connect co-operative education with other forms of experiential learning at Memorial. 

The new  structure will align co-operative education programs more closely with individual faculties and schools and place the associated accountabilities and responsibilities for program delivery in the home academic units, while leaving some centralized activity in the Career Development and Experiential Learning unit, where it has been for the past several years, .

The new MUNFA Collective Agreement, which includes the decentralization of co-operative education, was ratified on October 16, and signed on October 30, 2014.

The Office of the Deputy Provost (Students) is working with staff in the former Division of Co-operative Education, the interim director and deans’ offices to implement changes and assist with the transition to a revised administrative structure.

For students currently participating in co-operative education programs, placements will not be affected by these administrative changes.