Carleton University facts for kids
![]() |
|
Motto | "Ours the Task Eternal" |
---|---|
Type | Public |
Established | 1942 |
Academic affiliations
|
AACSB, ASAIHL, APSIA, CARL, COU, Fields Institute, Universities Canada |
Endowment | C$353.0 million |
Budget | C$502 million |
Chancellor | Yaprak Baltacioğlu |
President | Jerry Tomberlin, Interim President (current-Jan. 1, 2025), Wisdom Tettey, President-Designate (term commences Jan. 1, 2025) |
Administrative staff
|
5,328 |
Students | 30,678 |
Undergraduates | 26,163 |
Postgraduates | 4,515 |
Address |
45°22′59″N 75°41′51″W / 45.3831°N 75.6976°W |
Campus | Urban, 62 ha (150 acres) |
Newspaper | The Charlatan |
Colours | Black and red |
Nickname | Ravens |
Sporting affiliations
|
U Sports, OUA, RSEQ |
Mascot | Rodney the Raven |
![]() |
Carleton University is a public research university in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It teaches in English. The university started in 1942 as Carleton College. It was a private school for soldiers returning from World War II.
In 1952, Carleton became a university by law. It was named after the old Carleton County, where Ottawa was located. Today, Carleton has six main departments and over 65 different study programs. It also has special schools like the Carleton School of Journalism.
As of 2023, more than 26,000 undergraduate and 4,000 graduate students attend Carleton. The campus is about 150 acres. It is located near the Rideau Canal and Rideau River. Many famous people have studied at Carleton. These include 7 Rhodes Scholars and 2 Pulitzer Prize winners.
Carleton's sports teams are called the Carleton Ravens. They play in the U Sports league. The Ravens basketball team has won 20 national championships in the last 20 seasons.
In 2024, Dr. Wisdom Tettey was announced as the new President. He will start his role on January 1, 2025.
Contents
Discovering Carleton's Past
Carleton University has a rich history. It started small and grew into a large, well-known school.
How Carleton College Began (1942–1957)
In 1938, people in Ottawa wanted to create a new school. They wanted a place for non-Catholic students to learn. Henry Marshall Tory helped start the Ottawa Association for the Advancement of Learning in 1941. Carleton College officially opened in 1942.
The school first offered evening classes. These were held in rented classrooms at the High School of Commerce. After World War II ended in 1945, many veterans returned. Student numbers grew quickly, with about 2,200 new students joining.
To fit more students, the college rented rooms in other buildings. They also added more subjects like journalism and engineering. In 1946, Carleton got its first own campus. It was a four-story building that used to be the Ottawa Ladies' College. Carleton gave out its first degrees in 1946.
For its first ten years, the college had a small budget. It relied on money raised by the community and student fees. Henry Marshall Tory helped raise $1 million for the school. Many early professors worked full-time for the government. Some later became full-time teachers at Carleton.
The school chose its motto, "Ours the task eternal," in 1951. This phrase comes from a poem by Walt Whitman. It means "We take up the task eternal."
In 1952, a law called the Carleton College Act was passed. This allowed Carleton to grant university degrees. It became the first private, non-religious college in Ontario. The university was run by a Board of Governors and a Faculty Senate.
Carleton started getting land for its current campus in 1947. By 1952, it owned the entire 150-acre property. Much of this land was given by Harry Stevenson Southam, a local businessman. In 1956, construction began on the new campus.
Carleton University's Journey (1957–Present)
In 1957, the Carleton University Act changed the school's name to Carleton University. This made it a public university.
Fast Growth in the 1960s
Carleton moved to its current location in 1959. The first three buildings were the Maxwell MacOdrum Library, Norman Paterson Hall, and the Henry Marshall Tory Building. These became the main academic spots.
Student numbers grew very fast in the 1960s. Full-time students increased from 857 to 7,139. The government also gave more money to universities.
More students came from outside Ottawa. So, Carleton built its first student homes, Lanark and Renfrew Houses, in 1962. At first, boys and girls lived in separate buildings. But in 1969, Carleton became the first university in North America to have co-ed housing. More academic buildings like the Loeb Building and Mackenzie Building were also finished.
In 1967, Saint Patrick's College, a Catholic school, joined Carleton. A new building for it was built on the Carleton campus in 1973.
Steady Expansion (1970–1999)
The Nideyinàn (formerly University Centre) opened in the 1970s. It became a central place for student life. Dunton Tower, which was the tallest academic building in Canada at the time, was completed in 1972.
The Athletics Centre was built in 1974. It has many sports facilities like a pool and gym.
In 1979, Saint Patrick's College fully merged with Carleton. The St. Patrick's Building kept its name to remember the history.
Student numbers grew again in the 1980s. This led to new buildings like the Life Sciences Research Centre. The MacOdrum Library also got an extension.
In 1992, the Carleton University Art Gallery opened. In 1994, all students and staff got Internet and email access.
Modern Developments (2000–Present)
The 2000s brought more money for new buildings. These included new sports facilities and the Human Computer Interaction (HCI) Institute. Nideyinàn also got a big upgrade. In 2008, Frontenac House, a new student residence, was built.
Roseann Runte became Carleton's first female President in 2008. During her time, three new academic buildings were planned and built. These were the Canal Building, River Building (now Richcraft Hall), and the Health Sciences Building. A new residence, Lennox and Addington House, also opened.
Carleton continues to build new facilities. The Advanced Research and Innovation and Smart Environments (ARISE) Building is one example.
In 2018, Carleton bought the Dominion-Chalmers United Church downtown. It is now a community and arts center.
The Nicol Building opened in 2021. It is the new home for the Sprott School of Business. This building cost about $65 million. A large donation from Wes Nicol helped fund it.
Carleton During COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Carleton moved classes online in 2020. This was to keep everyone safe. They also temporarily closed sports facilities.
In 2020 and 2021, most classes stayed online. This helped students who had travel difficulties.
When vaccines became available, Carleton required students and staff to be vaccinated to access campus. In 2022, this rule was paused, along with the mask mandate.
How Carleton is Organized
Carleton University is set up by the Carleton University Act, 1952. This law explains the university's goals. Carleton aims to advance learning, spread knowledge, and help its members grow. It is a non-religious institution in Ottawa.
University Leadership
Carleton has two main governing bodies: the Board of Governors and the Senate.
Board of Governors
The Board of Governors manages the university's business. This includes money, buildings, and future plans. They also choose the President and Chancellor. The Board has 36 members. Some are students, staff, and alumni from Carleton. Others are from the local community.
The Board has six committees. These committees help with tasks like finances and building projects. The current chair of the Board is Dan Fortin, a former President of IBM Canada.
Senate
The Senate is Carleton's top academic group. It decides on academic policies. Its duties include approving degrees and scholarships. It also approves new programs and course changes.
The Senate has 86 members. These include professors, students, and other university leaders.
University Finances
For the 2020–21 school year, Carleton's budget was about $502 million. Most of this money goes to staff salaries, campus upkeep, and student support.
Carleton's biggest income sources are tuition fees (50%) and government funding (26%). In 2019–2020, Carleton received $86.5 million for research.
Carleton has an endowment fund of $353 million. This fund grew by $54.4 million in one year.
What You Can Study at Carleton
Carleton is a large public university known for its research. It is part of Universities Canada. In 2020–21, Carleton received over 23,544 applications. About 6,227 new students joined that year. In 2021, Carleton had over 32,000 students.
Faculties | Started |
---|---|
Faculty of Arts & Social Science | 1997 |
Faculty of Engineering & Design | 1963 |
Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs | 1974 |
Faculty of Public Affairs | 1997 |
Faculty of Science | 1963 |
Sprott School of Business | 2006 |
Carleton's graduation rate within seven years is about 70.4%. About 92.7% of graduates find jobs within two years.
Academic Departments
Arts and Social Sciences
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) offers many programs. These include 27 majors and 19 minors. Students can earn Bachelor of Arts degrees. They can study subjects like English, French, history, music, and psychology.
FASS also has the College of the Humanities. This college offers a unique "Great Books" program. The Institute of Cognitive Science has the only full PhD program in Cognitive Science in Canada. FASS offers 14 master's and nine doctoral programs.
Engineering and Design
The Faculty of Engineering and Design is one of Carleton's oldest departments. Engineering courses started in 1945. The faculty offers 20 undergraduate programs. These include engineering, architecture, and industrial design. It also has 37 graduate programs. Over 5,800 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students were enrolled in 2019.
Carleton has one of Canada's first aerospace engineering programs. Students can specialize in different areas of aerospace.
The Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism is part of this faculty. It offers programs in architecture. Carleton's Information Technology programs are offered with Algonquin College.
Public Affairs
The Faculty of Public Affairs (FPA) focuses on government and society. It has twelve academic units. It offers 12 undergraduate and 21 graduate programs. These include criminology, economics, journalism, and political science.
Many of Carleton's top programs are in FPA. The School of Journalism and Communication offers journalism degrees. The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA) has Canada's oldest foreign affairs graduate program. NPSIA is a member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs.
The School of Public Policy and Administration is the oldest in Canada. Carleton's Arthur Kroeger College of Public Affairs offers unique degrees. These include Public Affairs and Policy Management.
Carleton was named a European Union Centre of Excellence in 2006. Its Department of Law & Legal Studies is Canada's oldest legal department. It studies how law affects society.
In 2019, Carleton ranked among the top universities worldwide for politics and international studies.
Norman Paterson School of International Affairs
The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA) is a top school for international affairs. It started in 1965. The school is known for its interdisciplinary approach. It studies global issues from many angles. NPSIA is a founding member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs.
Science
The Faculty of Science offers 86 undergraduate and 39 graduate programs. These cover biology, chemistry, physics, health sciences, and computer science. Over 6,500 students are enrolled. Science courses first started as night classes in 1942.
The Faculty of Science has eleven departments. They are in buildings like Herzberg Laboratories and the Health Sciences Building. These buildings have labs for research. The Nesbitt Biology Building has greenhouses. They host an annual Butterfly Show.
The National Wildlife Research Centre is also on campus. It studies the effects of pollution on wildlife.
Sprott School of Business
Carleton started offering a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1949. The Sprott School of Business became a separate faculty in 2006. It offers two undergraduate programs: Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of International Business. It also has five graduate programs. In 2018–2019, 2,668 undergraduate students were in Sprott programs.
Sprott is recognized internationally by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. It was the first in Canada to offer a Bachelor of International Business. The school has won awards for its research contributions.
Getting into Carleton
For the 2018–2019 school year, Carleton accepted 5,988 first-year students. The average admission grade for Canadian high school students was 83.9%. Some specialized programs, like Aerospace Engineering, require higher grades.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
In 2020–21, Carleton gave $28.6 million in scholarships and bursaries. This helped 14,709 undergraduate students.
Students with an admission average above 80% can get an entrance scholarship. It starts at $4,000 over four years. Students with over 95% can get $16,000. Students must keep good grades to keep their scholarship.
Carleton also offers 25 Prestige Scholarships. These are the highest scholarships. Students need high grades and extracurricular activities to qualify. These scholarships range from $20,000 to full tuition.
Carleton's Reputation
University rankings | |
---|---|
Global rankings | |
ARWU World | 501–600 |
QS World | 671–680 |
Times World | 501–600 |
U.S News & World Report Global | 526 |
Canadian rankings | |
ARWU National | 19–22 |
QS National | 24 |
Times National | 21–24 |
U.S News & World Report National | 20 |
Maclean's Comprehensive | 5 |
Carleton University is ranked among Canadian and international universities. In 2022, the Academic Ranking of World Universities placed it in the 501–600 range globally. The 2023 QS World University Rankings put Carleton in the 601–650 range worldwide.
Carleton's Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA) is highly ranked. In 2009, it was ranked 14th in the world for professional Master's programs in International Affairs.
Maclean's, a Canadian magazine, ranks Canadian universities. In 2023, Carleton ranked fifth in the "comprehensive" category.
In 2019, Maclean's ranked Carleton 7th in Canada for engineering. It was 10th in computer science and mathematics.
Partner Institutions
- Dominican University College: This is an independent, bilingual Catholic school in Ottawa. It offers degrees in philosophy and theology. It has been connected with Carleton since 2012.
Exploring the Campus
- Carleton University campus
-
Dunton Tower viewed from Hartwells Locks
Carleton's campus is about 153 acres. It is bordered by the Rideau Canal and the Rideau River. It is also next to the Dominion Arboretum.
When it first opened in 1959, the campus had three buildings. Now, it has forty-eight buildings. The newest is the Nicol Building, opened in 2021.
You can enter the campus from Bronson Avenue or Colonel By Drive. Campus Avenue is a main road on campus.
Several OC Transpo bus lines serve the campus. The O-Train's Carleton station is also in the center of campus. The O-Train line divides the campus. Bridges and tunnels connect both sides. Most academic and residence buildings are on the west side. Sports facilities are on the east side.
Campus Building Style
Carleton's early buildings have a modern and strong design. This style was different from older university buildings. It showed Carleton as a forward-thinking school.
Architectural experts see Carleton as a great example of modern university design in Canada.
Underground Tunnels
Most buildings on campus are connected by a five-kilometer system of underground tunnels. This is the largest tunnel network at a Canadian university. The tunnels were built in the 1960s. They were originally for maintenance. But a staff member suggested making them for people to use.
The tunnels are very useful in winter. Staff use small carts to move supplies through them. In 2019, Carleton added a new map system for the tunnels. It looks like a subway map.
Student Homes
Traditional Residences
|
Suite-Style Residences
|
Carleton has eleven student residence buildings. They are in the northwest part of campus. They are all connected to the tunnel system. The first residence buildings, Renfrew and Lanark Houses, opened in 1962.
In 1969, Carleton had the first co-educational dorms in North America. The university has added more dorms as student numbers grew. Students can choose between traditional rooms or suite-style rooms. Suite-style rooms have a small kitchen shared by four students. Bathrooms are usually shared between two rooms.
Upper-year students called Residence Fellows help students in dorms. Frontenac House is for second-year students. Leeds House is for older students and graduate students. Teraanga Commons is a central spot for residence students. It has the main dining hall, a Starbucks, and a convenience store.
In the summer, some dorms are used as hotels. The Canadian Armed Forces also use some facilities. They house the Ceremonial Guard there. You might see them practicing on campus.
Library and Art Collections
MacOdrum Library
The MacOdrum Library is one of Carleton's original buildings. It is the main library and archive. It is named after former Carleton President Murdoch Maxwell MacOdrum. The library has about 1.2 million print books and 2.7 million e-books. It also has over 260,000 e-journals.
During exams, the library stays open 24 hours. Over 1.6 million people visit the library each year.
In 2013, the Discovery Centre for Undergraduate Research opened. It has meeting spaces and 3D printers. In 2023, the fourth floor became the Future Learning Lab. It has spaces for studying and workshops.
The library often hosts exhibitions. It also has a Book Arts Lab. Here, students can learn about printing and bookbinding.
Archives and Special Collections
The MacOdrum Library has many special collections. These include historical documents and artifacts. Some collections focus on French art history. Others are about the expulsion of South Asians from Uganda. There are also materials about Carleton University's own history.
Carleton University Art Gallery
The Carleton University Art Gallery (CUAG) opened in 1992. It is in the St. Patrick's Building. CUAG has three galleries, offices, and storage for art.
Admission to the gallery is free. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday. CUAG also has a Curatorial Laboratory. Here, members of the Carleton community can create their own art displays.
Past exhibitions have shown photography from World War II. Others have featured protest art or Inuit printmaking.
CUAG also manages the university's art collection. It focuses on Canadian art after 1950. It also has European prints and Inuit and First Nations art.
Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre
In 2018, Carleton bought the Dominion-Chalmers United Church. It is now the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre (CDCC). This is Carleton's arts, performance, and learning center. It is Carleton's first building in downtown Ottawa.
The center is about 37,000 square feet. It can seat about 1,000 people. It still hosts religious services. It also provides space for community groups and arts events.
Student Life at Carleton
Undergraduate | Graduate | |
---|---|---|
Male | 52.7% | 51.5% |
Female | 47.3% | 48.5% |
Canadian Student | 88.6% | 78.8% |
International Student | 11.4% | 21.2% |
Student Organizations and Support
Carleton University Students' Association
All undergraduate students are part of the Carleton University Students' Association (CUSA). It was founded in 1942. CUSA represents students to the university. It also organizes Orientation Week. CUSA supports student clubs and offers many services.
CUSA is led by six elected students. These include the President and Vice Presidents. Students also elect 28 Councillors from each faculty.
CUSA runs several student centers. These include the Food Centre and the Women's Learning Centre. CUSA also operates businesses like Oliver's Pub and Rooster's Coffeehouse.
Rideau River Residence Association
Students living in residence are members of the Rideau River Residence Association (RRRA). It was founded in 1968. Students elect a President and Vice Presidents. RRRA represents students living in dorms. It hosts events and runs a convenience store called Abstentions.
Graduate Students' Association
All graduate students are members of the Carleton University Graduate Students' Association (GSA). Graduate students elect leaders to represent them. The GSA offers services for graduate students. It runs a Grad Lounge and Mike's Place, a student pub.
Fraternities and Sororities
Fraternities
|
Sororities
|
Greek letter organizations are active at Carleton. They are part of student life. Carleton does not officially recognize them.
The Carleton University Greek Council (CUGC) plans events for fraternities and sororities. The Carleton Panhellenic Council governs three international sororities.
Student Newspapers and Magazines
Carleton's main student newspaper is The Charlatan. It was founded in 1945. It used to print twice a month. Now, it prints once a month.
The Leveller is another monthly newspaper. It started in 2009. It focuses on social issues.
The School of Journalism publishes Centretown News. This newspaper reports on the Centretown neighborhood of Ottawa.
Engineering students have their own newspaper, The Iron Times.
Student Broadcasting
Carleton has a community radio station, CKCU-FM. It started broadcasting in 1975. It was the first licensed community campus radio station in Canada. CKCU-FM plays many types of music. It also has multicultural programs.
Student Theatre
The Sock 'n' Buskin Theatre Company started in 1943. It is Carleton's amateur theatre group. The company puts on many plays each year. Recent shows include The Crucible and As You Like It. Students run the company. They also act and manage the shows.
Carleton Sports Teams
Men's Teams |
Women's Teams |
Carleton's sports teams are called the Carleton Ravens. They compete in national and provincial leagues. Carleton is part of U Sports and Ontario University Athletics. Some teams also play in the RSEQ. There are 13 varsity sports teams.
Men's Basketball Success
Carleton is famous for its men's basketball team, the Ravens. Dave Smart was the head coach from 1999 to 2019. He helped the team become very successful. The Ravens men's basketball team has won the national championship fifteen times. They won five titles in a row from 2002–03 to 2006–07. They also won seven titles in a row from 2010–2011 to 2016–2017.
The Ravens play exhibition games against NCAA teams from the United States. They have won against strong teams like the University of Mississippi.
The team also plays in the Capital Hoops Classic against the University of Ottawa. Carleton has won this event eleven times out of fourteen.
Women's Basketball Achievements
The Ravens women's basketball team is also very strong. They won the U SPORTS National Championship in 2018, 2023, and 2024. The team has helped develop professional players like Marlee Ball.
Football Program
Carleton started a football team in 1945. Football games became a big part of student life. In 1959, the team got new facilities at the Rideau campus.
Since 1955, the football team has played in the annual Panda Game against the Ottawa Gee-Gees. This game is a major event for students. Carleton stopped its football program from 1999 to 2013. It was brought back in 2013. Since 2014, the game has been held at TD Place. Carleton won four games in a row from 2014 to 2017.
Other Sports
The Carleton Ravens men's ice hockey team plays in the Ontario University Athletics conference. They also have a rivalry with the University of Ottawa. They play in the annual Colonel By Classic.
The Ravens women's hockey team plays in the RSEQ.
Carleton also has a very successful soccer program. The men's team won silver at the 2021 U SPORTS Men's Soccer Championship. They have reached the final-eight tournament four times in a row.
The men's and women's soccer teams play their home games at the Ravens’ Perch.
The women's rugby team competes in the RSEQ. In 2021, they finished 3rd, their best result.
In 2024, the women's nordic ski team won their second CCUNC Championship. They have won seven of the last eight OUA Women's Championships.
Famous People from Carleton
-
Lester B. Pearson, a former Prime Minister of Canada.
-
John Manley, a former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada.
-
Omar Sharmarke, a former Prime Minister of Somalia.
-
Gerhard Herzberg, a Nobel Prize winner in chemistry.
-
Peter Jennings, a former news anchor for ABC.
-
Paul Okalik, the first Premier of Nunavut.
-
Linda Thom, an Olympic gold medalist.
-
Dan Aykroyd, an actor nominated for an Academy Award.
-
Jim Watson, Ottawa's longest-serving mayor.
-
Peter Grünberg, a Nobel Prize winner in physics.
-
Shane Smith, Executive Chairman of Vice Media.
-
David Azrieli, a Canadian real estate leader.
Notable Faculty Members
Carleton has had many famous faculty members. These include three Nobel winners: Gerhard Herzberg (chemistry), Peter Grünberg (physics), and former Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson. Six faculty members have also received the Order of Canada.
Chancellors of Carleton
Herb Gray was the 10th Chancellor. He was Canada's longest-serving Member of Parliament. Charles Chi (BEng '88) followed him. He is a venture capitalist. Yaprak Baltacioğlu became the 12th Chancellor in 2018. In 2022, Professor Lenore Fahrig won the prestigious Herzberg Prize. She is the first Carleton faculty member to win this award.
Famous Alumni
Many Carleton graduates have become famous. They include politicians, journalists, and entertainers. Carleton is known for its journalism program. Many alumni work in Canadian and international media. These include Rosemary Barton and Andrew Chang, anchors of The National. Paul Watson is a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist. Shane Smith co-founded Vice Media.
Carleton alumni have worked in all levels of government. These include John Manley, a former Deputy Prime Minister. Paul Okalik was the first Premier of Nunavut. Jim Watson was Ottawa's longest-serving mayor.
In architecture, Gregory Henriquez is known for his work in Vancouver. David Azrieli, a real estate leader, donated to the campus.
Actor Dan Aykroyd attended Carleton. He received an honorary degree in 1994. Comedian Norm Macdonald and journalist Peter Jennings also attended. Other alumni in entertainment include rapper k-os and singer Mia Martina. In law, Louise Charron was a Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.
University Symbols
Images for kids
-
John Manley, former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada
-
Omar Sharmarke, former Prime Minister of Somalia
-
Gerhard Herzberg, Nobel laureate in chemistry
-
Lawrence Krauss, theoretical physicist and New York Times bestselling author
-
Peter Jennings, former anchor of ABC World News Tonight
-
Paul Okalik, first Premier of Nunavut
-
Linda Thom, Olympic gold medalist
-
Dan Aykroyd, Academy Award–nominated actor
-
Jim Watson, Ottawa's longest-serving mayor
-
Peter Grünberg, Nobel laureate in physics
-
Shane Smith, Executive Chairman of Vice Media
-
David Azrieli, Canadian real estate tycoon
See also
- Canadian government scientific research organizations
- Canadian industrial research and development organizations
- Canadian university scientific research organizations
- Carleton Ravens
- Carleton School of Journalism
- Carleton O-Train Station
- Carleton University Students' Association
- The Charlatan, student newspaper
- CKCU-FM Radio Carleton
- Dominion-Chalmers United Church
- Higher education in Ontario
- List of Carleton University people
- List of colleges and universities named after people
- List of Ontario Universities
- Ontario Student Assistance Program
- Rideau River Residence Association
- U Sports