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Lorraine Oak is associate dean for research administration in the College of Arts and Sciences and chair of the Canadian-American Studies Committee
What is the Canadian-American Studies Committee? How many faculty/staff are affiliated with the committee?
The Canadian-American Studies Committee is comprised of 10 UB faculty members from four schools and the College of Arts and Sciences. This group supports, coordinates, promotes and carries out research, instructional and service activities that are related to Canada. The committee includes scholars with individual Canada-related interests, as well as representatives of the Canada-United States Trade Center (CUSTAC), the Canada-United States Legal Studies Centre, and the Center for the Arts. Our mission is to foster a broad and diverse menu of courses, experiences and opportunities that stimulate scholarly inquiry and develop awareness of Canada among faculty and students across the entire university. UB has more than 50 scholars with Canada-related interests, and we would like to increase that number.
Why is it important for UB to have such a focus on Canadian-American studies?
As the United States plays a larger role in world leadership, it is increasingly important for Americans to gain an international perspective. Because of our geographic location, UB is uniquely situated to encourage the development of international understanding and knowledge, beginning with Canada. From a Canadian-American perspective, UB can provide an exceptional opportunity for the study of Canada. In addition to being neighbors, we are each other's largest trading partner, with about $1.2 billion in trade crossing the Canada-US border every day. The United States sells almost three times as many goods to Canada as to Japan, and Canada is a larger market for U.S. goods than all 15 members of the European Union combined. From the Buffalo-Niagara perspective, we are located at one of the busiest international crossings in the world. About 30 percent of the total Canada-U.S. trade crosses here. The trade figures are easy to quantify and quickly illustrate the magnitude of our economic connection; however, the social and geographic ties and responsibilities also are fundamental to our progress as separate peoples with strong and long-standing ties and an increasingly shared destiny. We share the Great Lakes, and their stewardship. We share many common elements of history, values and aspirations. We will share whatever the future holds. Thus, UB is at a major crossroads from an international, national and regional perspective. Along with this special opportunity comes an obligation that the Canadian-American Studies Committee works to fulfill.
What types of activities is the committee involved in?
The committee is involved in encouraging, supporting and promoting the study and understanding of Canada. Once each semester, the committee sponsors a competitive small-grants program from which UB faculty and graduate students request funding to support Canada-focused programs and projects. The present application deadline is April 14, and we encourage application from all disciplines. An exciting recent development has been the establishment of a formal student exchange relationship with the College of Arts and Science at the University of Toronto. UB's Study Abroad Programs Office welcomes applications from juniors and seniors until March 1. I hope that our students will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. We have also just announced a student poster competition with the theme "Crossing Borders" and a deadline of April 28. We hope that the topic and the prize of $200 (U.S.) will inspire creative submissions! Once again in April, the committee will host the Niagara Colloquium, which brings together Canadian-American studies scholars from throughout the Niagara region. This stimulating and wide-ranging discussion provides opportunities for information exchange and collaboration. We also sponsor numerous guest speakers and work to bring a Canadian perspective to many issues. The committee provides an important liaison function among a number of Canada-oriented programs, including the Canada-United States Trade Center (CUSTAC) and the Canada-United States Legal Studies Centre.
What is the Golden Horseshoe Educational Alliance?
The Golden Horseshoe Educational Alliance promotes academic associations and linkages among individuals and institutions of higher education located in or near the "Golden Horseshoe" region that stretches around the western shore of Lake Ontario. Twenty-five universities and colleges form this coalition, which receives strong support from the Canadian Consulate General in Buffalo and the United States Consulate General in Toronto. In 2002, the Alliance held it's seventh annual conference at Canisius College.
What question do you wish I had asked?
I would like to have been asked how we accomplish all these things, and I would answer that UB's Canadian-American Studies Committee and all its activities are made possible by a number of strong supporters. We rely on the expertise and advice always available from the Canadian Consulate General in Buffalo. At UB, we are assisted by the Office of the Vice Provost for International Education and the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. Funding is provided by the College of Arts and Sciences as a match for monies awarded on a competitive basis from the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C. And, of course, we could accomplish nothing without the many faculty members who conduct Canada-related research, teach courses that include Canadian perspectives, and provide service to many businesses and individuals with Canada-oriented objectives.