November 7, 1999 For Immediate Release

Maclean's magazine has ranked UNBC 8th in its annual ranking of Canadian universities, which is hitting newsstands nationwide tomorrow. Last year, in its inaugural appearance in the ranking, UNBC placed 9th in the Primarily Undergraduate category.

"This year's result illustrates how the University is developing," says UNBC President Charles Jago. "Our biggest statistical improvements are in the quality of our students, and we maintained high positions for research and the Library collection."

• UNBC ranks #1 for the percentage of the library budget spent on new acquisitions.
• The average entering grade has risen and is now 79.65%, similar to the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, and York University. Compared with last year, the University's position in the category that measures the proportion of first-year students with averages of 75% or higher has risen from 19th to 8th.
• In the 1998-99 fiscal year, UNBC students received $552,423 worth of scholarships and bursaries - up 70% over the previous year.
• Research at UNBC remains a strong performer in the ranking. This year, UNBC ranks 2nd for the number and value of research projects in the humanities. The University's ranking for science research is 12th.
• A Maclean's survey of high school counsellors, CEOs, and university officials nationwide identifies UNBC as a Leader of Tomorrow, and the University's overall reputation has improved from 11th to 8th.
• Class sizes have increased, negatively affecting UNBC's ranking in that category.

The Maclean's magazine ranking of Canadian universities is one of the magazine's top sellers. UNBC's presence in the ranking has contributed to student recruitment efforts and higher public awareness of the University.