I don't know to what extent this marketing campaign is out in Canada, but for those in Toronto, I'm sure you've seen the Advertisements for "Colossal U". Let me preface this by saying, "I'm sorry, I know I'm playing into their little teaser campaign game by writing this blog and it's really free advertising for they-who-shall-not-be-named".

There are a series of tongue-in-cheek "Colossal U" advertisements, poking fun at Universities such as mine (50,000 strong! Go York!), depicting little cookie cutters, wait-line ticket dispensers and burnt out light bulbs attached to quips like:

"Our admin are busy, so you'll have to wait until you're good and ready"
and
"We ensure that all of our students turn out exactly the same"
and
"Our teachers will only help students during class hours - this will allow students to learn to solve problems by themselves"

You can check out the intro at www.colossalu.com, and then see the institution behind this enraging campaign.

There's a couple of things that I find a little unnerving about the entire thing; first, it's absolutely not true. I have ample time to spend in discussion with my profs, in and out of class. In fact, not only are they approachable on a professional and personal level, many offer hours of their time to personally coach students for academic competitions (Choose Schulich for business!)

And the cookie cutter comment! I would like to point out that one Colossal U, such as mine, offers a smorgasbord of incredible classes that would be incredibly difficult (and in some cases, impossible) to offer in a learning institution any smaller. With a multitude of course offerings at Colossal U, it's almost difficult for students to leave after four years like uniform little cookies.

Not to mention the sheer variety of students attracted by a Colossal U such as this - so many experiences, backgrounds and walks of life contributing to discussions on such a large scale. Every class is like a handful of Bits&Bites - no two will EVER be alike. Sound like a cookie cutter to you?

And the administration -- Okay, admittedly, really slow. Really frustrating. But, the people on the other side of the desk are nice and smile often. It helps to alleviate the need to pull out your hair.

It is a bit unnerving that people all over Toronto will see these ridiculous ads, shake their heads and think, "isn't that the truth - big cold universities. Poor students". I'm here to dispel the lies! I know one little ad won't have an impact on the value of education I'm receiving from a Colossal U, but I'm proud to be a York (and Schulich) student.