Talk:University of Waterloo

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[edit] The current lock (Regarding the Macleans quote)

The options are simple: Keep the quote, or remove it completely. Not the half-hearted attempt by 74.124.56.37 which removes the term "computer" from "computer science" such that science has more emphasis. I like the fact that the quote highlights what the school is best known for, but obviously any such quote will seem unbalanced.--AlphaTwo 02:32, 13 March 2007 (UTC)

I think the quote should be kept. The source is reliable, and it does demonstrate that school's strengths. I think there should be elaboration about why these programs are highly regarded. I do think there should be mention of specific strengths in other areas as well; the school is well-known for its Optometry program, no? We should also try to cite other sources regarding this. Mindmatrix 13:25, 13 March 2007 (UTC)

I also support keeping the quotation. Macleans is a well respected source and it is reflective of the reputation of the university. The Optometry program is the only Canadian English Optometry school. Kratoz 15:15, 13 March 2007 (UTC)

I can't see any reason why the quote should be removed. Raistlin11325 06:18, 14 March 2007 (UTC)

How long do we wait for 74.124.56.37 to come back and make their counter-argument before we propose the unlock?--AlphaTwo 13:58, 15 March 2007 (UTC)

Well, we've had nearly a full week, with nary a comment from the anonymous user. I'm reverting the article to its prior state, with full citation, based on this discussion. (Four users support the citation, none oppose it.) Mindmatrix 13:37, 19 March 2007 (UTC)

I oppose the quotation. Macleans is hardly a well respected source; MANY universities have pulled themselves from the magazine's yearly rankings. Everyone is well aware of each university's strengths. There is a whole CS section on Wiki where CS students may flaunt their department. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 129.97.120.213 (talk) 03:05, 20 March 2007 (UTC).

It's a valid point that many universities pulled themselves, but it does detract from the fact that Macleans is a published source. In addition, not everyone outside of the university like you (judging by your 129.97 IP) is aware about Waterloo. --AlphaTwo 06:20, 20 March 2007 (UTC)

Is your only argument against the validity of the source? The quotation is in the Reputation section, and I assume that the magazine can at least determine the reputation of a university. They aren't talking about any numbers, just some generic information and public perception. It seems to be accurate and informative. Raistlin11325 16:25, 21 March 2007 (UTC)

Generic information or not, universities pulled out by the masses. I am a UW student and I'm embarassed that we are boasting about rankings from a magazine from which most major universities have pulled from. Praise or no praise, no one will deny we have fine programs in CS, math and engineering. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 129.97.124.154 (talk) 19:07, 26 March 2007 (UTC).

Er, Waterloo's in the Comprehensive section of Macleans. (There's no Science, Computer Science, math, etc, section) It doesn't say anything specific in that Comprehensive section about math, engineering and computer science. It says Comprehensive (Which should automatically be all sections, including English). While Waterloo may attract math, engineering, and computer science, for computer science, it's likely because of their proximity to RIM and other corporations, and for math it's proabably because of their Cayley, Fermat, etc, math tests, which they develop and distribute. Logical2u_{Review me!} 19:13, 23 March 2007 (UTC)

Are you suggesting that UW's computer science department attracts students because of RIM? I'm going to challenge you to provide a source for this claim. Waterloo has had a successful CS department which has drawn many top students for decades, and it has built on that reputation. RIM had nothing to do with it, and it's historically inaccurate to suggest so. Also, the math contests are a direct result of having built a strong math program, and are now used both to find good students and as an advertising tool.

Further, the quote was in the review of the university itself, not in the overall rankings section of all comprehensive universities. Most universities question the overall rankings, but I doubt any of them question the generic reviews of the universities or their programs. Mindmatrix 20:20, 23 March 2007 (UTC)

All I intended to suggest is that RIM (And the Google facility nearby, if I remember correctly) may be a factor for attracting computer science students: there is a nearby location that may wish to hire them after their graduation. I myself don't question the rankings (nor Macleans, I own the magazine that rates these ones) but using the comprehensive ranking to talk about computer sciences in specific seems odd. I don't know if I'm getting the full effect of your statement, it's fairly early in the morning for me. Logical2u_{Review me!} 13:10, 24 March 2007 (UTC)

OK, it seems that I may have inferred something from your message that I shouldn't have. You're right in suggesting that there is a relationship between various faculties or departments and industry, especially notable firms such as RIM. My apologies for the misunderstanding. Mindmatrix 15:34, 24 March 2007 (UTC)

Yeah, RIM jobs are definitely sought after by CS/SE students. Seriously though, I was looking for a source for the claim in the article that "Waterloo prides itself on its high performance in Maclean's..." There's this 2005 article in which the President expresses pride, but that was before other universities refused to give data to Maclean's. –Pomte 23:28, 27 March 2007 (UTC)