Up on a hill off of Western Road, sits a small community of education, friendship, and history; Brescia University College is celebrating 100 years as Canada’s only all-female university.
As of the 2016-2017 academic year, Brescia had approximately 1,400 undergraduate students enrolled.
Paisley Francis is a third-year political science student at the school, and says the small size drew her in from the beginning.
She knows that no matter where she is on campus, she’ll see a friendly face
“Coming from a really small high school, I knew that I didn’t want to go to a really big university where I’d have 500 people in my class… the idea that we got to know our profs really sold me on it.”
So far, the university has lived up to her expectations.
“I’ve taken the big classes on main (Western) campus, and I couldn’t even remember who my professor was, but here I have such a strong relationship with most of my profs. They help me even in classes they don’t teach, they help me with essays, we chat when we see each other on campus… it’s a great relationship between student and teacher.”
Paisley Francis, third-year political science student. Credit: Selena Romero
Aside from its especially small class sizes, Brescia’s most notable tell is its all-female student population. Francis knows that some people may have stigmas against the single-gendered learning environment, but is quick to shut them down.
“It’s less about the diversity of gender amongst students, and more of the professors… It’s not about us being all women and being ‘like-minded’, we’re not. We are all so different and it’s up to the professor to open up that space so that we all feel comfortable to express our opinions and that’s what’s being done here.”
She argues that she noticed students were less likely to engage in discussion due the large size and fear of being judged by their peers, during classes she took on main campus.
Despite being an all-women school, any gender can opt to take a class on Brescia’a campus, aslong as they’re a student of Western University, or its other affiliates, King’s University College or Huron University.
Francis jokes that she believes Brescia was built so far from the road and up the hill, to keep it as far away from King’s as possible, since it used to be an all-male school.
As to why Brescia stayed an all-female school, Francis believes the grounds remain as a space for women that is needed in today’s society.
“We have a lot of international students, I think we’re actually getting more each year. It’s really intriguing for women, especially coming from other countries… it’s a safe space where they can feel comfortable and it’s less intimidating than being on main campus, but they can still participate there. It’s like the best of both worlds”
Founded by the Ursuline Sisters in 1919, Francis believes that Brescia continues to teach its core values a century later.
“Our foundation is built on educating strong, bold women, and that’s what we’ve maintained over 100 years.”
