University of Windsor The University of Windsor ( U of W or UWindsor ) is a public comprehensive and research university in Windsor , Ontario , Canada . It is Canada ' s southernmost university . It has a student population of approximately 15 , 000 full - time and part - time undergraduate students and over 1000 graduate students . The University of Windsor has graduated more than 100 , 000 alumni since its founding . The University of Windsor has nine faculties , including the Faculty of Arts , Humanities and Social Sciences , the Faculty of Education , the Faculty of Engineering , Odette School of Business , the Faculty of Graduate Studies , the Faculty of Human Kinetics , the Faculty of Law , the Faculty of Nursing , and the Faculty of Science . Through its various faculties and independent schools , Windsor ' s primary research interests focus on automotive , environmental , and social justice research , yet it has increasingly began focusing on health , natural science , and entrepreneurship research . Recently , the University of Windsor has established a School of Medicine in partnership with the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry from the University of Western Ontario . Currently , the University of Windsor constructed a $ 112 - million Centre for Engineering Innovation , which will house the Faculty of Engineering and its research centre . History . The University dates back to the founding of Assumption College Roman Catholic in Windsor , Ontario in 1857 . Assumption College , a primarily theological institution , was founded by the Basilian Fathers of the priestly teaching Congregation of St . Basil , in 1857 . The college grew steadily , expanding its curriculum and affiliating with numerous other colleges over the years . In 1919 , Assumption College in Windsor affiliated with the University of Western Ontario . Originally , Assumption was one of the largest colleges associated with the University of Western Ontario . Escalating costs forced Assumption University ( a denominational university ) to become a public institution in order to qualify for public support . It was granted university status in 1953 . The War Memorial Hall ( more generally known as Memorial Hall ) is a landmark building on the campus of the University of Windsor used as classrooms , labs , and offices . Memorial Hall honours alumni who had enlisted and died in the First World War , and in the Second World War . A bronze tablet remembers the alumni of Assumption College who died in the Second World War . In 1950 , Assumption College welcomed its first women students . In 1953 , through an Act of the Ontario Legislature , Assumption College received its own university powers , and ended its affiliation with the University of Western Ontario . In 1956 , the institution ’ s name was changed to Assumption University of Windsor , by an Act of the Ontario Legislature , with Reverend Eugene Carlisle LeBel , C . S . B . named as its first President . The recently created non - denominational Essex College , led by Frank A . DeMarco , became an affiliate , with responsibility for the Pure Sciences , Applied Sciences , as well as the Schools of Business Administration and Nursing . ( Essex College ' s Arms and Badge were registered with the Canadian Heraldic Authority on March 15 , 2007 . ) In December 1963 , Assumption University of Windsor made affiliation agreements with Holy Redeemer College ( now Académie Sainte - Cécile ) , Canterbury College ( Windsor , Ontario ) and the new Iona College ( Windsor , Ontario ) ( affiliated with the United Church of Canada ) . Canterbury College became the first Anglican college in the world to affiliate with a Roman Catholic University . In the early 1960s , the City of Windsor ’ s growth and demands for higher education led to a further restructuring . A petition was made to the Province of Ontario , for the creation of a non - denominational University of Windsor , by the board of governors and regents of Assumption University , and the board of directors of Essex College . The University of Windsor came into existence through its incorporation under an Act of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on December 19 , 1962 . The transition from an historic Roman Catholic university to a non - denominational provincial university was a development that was unprecedented . On July 1 , 1963 , the entire campus with all of its facilities and faculty became known as the University of Windsor . As a ' federated member ' , Assumption University remained as an integrated institution , granting degrees only in its Faculty of Theology . Father Eugene Carlisle LeBel from Assumption became the inaugural president of the University of Windsor , and Frank A . DeMarco , who had been holding both positions of Principal , as well as Dean of Applied Science at Essex College , became the inaugural Vice President . The University ' s coats of arms were designed by Alan Beddoe . In 1964 , when E . C . LeBel retired , Dr . John Francis Leddy was appointed President of the University of Windsor , and presided over a period of significant growth . From 1967 to 1977 , Windsor grew from approximately 1 , 500 to 8 , 000 full - time students . In the 1980s and early 1990s , this growth continued . Among the new buildings erected were the Odette Business Building and the CAW Student Centre . Enrollment at the University reached record heights in Fall 2003 with the elimination of Grade 13 ( Ontario Academic Credit ) in Ontario . The university has developed a number of partnerships with local businesses and industry , such as the University of Windsor / Chrysler Canada Ltd . Automotive Research and Development Centre , the only one of its kind in North America . University of Windsor ' s Arms were registered with the Canadian Heraldic Authority on March 15 , 2007 . The University of Windsor has entered into a strategic partnership with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment . Together , the two will create new student internships , pursue research opportunities and establish promotions with the Toronto Maple Leafs , Raptors , Toronto FC and the Toronto Marlies hockey club . The agreement is the first partnership of its kind for both organizations . Academics . Windsor offers more than 120 majors and minors and 55 master ' s and doctoral degree programs across nine faculties : University of Windsor also provide Inter - Faculty Programs offering cross - departmental majors like Forensics , Environmental studies and Arts & Science concentration . There are nine cooperative education programs for 1 , 100 students . The Faculty of Law is one of six in Ontario , and has a major teaching and research focus on Social Justice issues . It publishes two law journals the Faculty led " Access to Justice " and the student run , peer - reviewed " Windsor Review of Legal and Social Issues " . Law students may study Human Rights Law , Poverty Law , Aboriginal rights law and legal issues affecting women , minorities and children . The faculty , in conjunction with Legal Aid Ontario , runs a downtown Windsor community legal clinic called Legal Assistance Windsor , that is staffed with supervising lawyers , law students , and social workers ; it is aimed at meeting the legal needs of persons traditionally denied access to justice . This clinic operates in the area of landlord tenant law as well as social benefits . The University of Windsor runs a second legal clinic , Community Legal Aid , located at the corner of Sunset and University . This clinic is a Student Legal Aid Services Society ( SLASS ) clinic , which is staffed primarily by volunteer law students and overseen by supervising lawyers , called review counsel . This clinic operates primarily in the areas of criminal law , landlord tenant law , and small claims court . The clinic offers free legal services to those who qualify financially and all students of the University of Windsor . The faculty also has a joint , American Bar Association ABA - Approved LL . B - J . D . degree program with the University of Detroit Mercy . The program is completed in three years with students taking courses at both the University of Windsor and the University of Detroit Mercy . Upon completion students earn both Canadian and American legal accreditation and can pursue licensing in any Province in Canada ( aside from civil law in Quebec ) and any State in the United States of America . As of 2008 , the University of Windsor is also home to a satellite campus of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry of the University of Western Ontario . There are currently 92 medical students studying full - time at the Windsor campus . Campus . Located in Canada ' s traditional " automotive capital " across the border from Detroit , the campus is situated near the United States and its busy port of entry to and from the United States . It is framed by the Ambassador Bridge to the west and the Detroit River to the north . The campus covers ( contiguous ) and is surrounded by a residential neighborhood . The campus features a small arboretum , which represents most of the species from the Carolinian forest . Campus is approximately a 10 minute drive from downtown Windsor . The CAW Student Centre has a view of the Ambassador Bridge , and houses retail stores , a food court and " The Basement " , the student - operated pub . The St . Denis Centre , located at the south end of campus on College Avenue , is the major athletic and recreational facility for students ; a weight room , exercise facilities and a swimming pool . The new South Campus Stadium built for the 2005 Pan - American Junior Games is beside the St . Denis Centre - which also has dressing rooms for Lancer teams - and borders Huron Church Road , the major avenue to and from the border crossing . The athletics department has become well known for Track & Field , and Men and Women ' s Basketball . The majority of the Lancer teams made the playoffs this year ( 2010 ) and the program continues to grow in championship titles . Library and collections . The Leddy Library is the main campus library for the University of Windsor . The library ’ s collection consists of over 3 million items including electronic resources holdings of over 17 , 000 electronic titles and several hundred thousand data sets . The Leddy Library is named in honour of John Francis Leddy , former president of the University of Windsor . Dr . Leddy was born in Ottawa , Ontario on April 16 , 1911 , but grew up in Saskatoon , Saskatchewan . Student life . International students make up approximately 10 % of the student population ; about 1500 students from more than 70 countries . Despite the large number of international students , the majority of students are domestic and come from the southwestern Ontario counties of Essex , Chatham - Kent and Lambton . Greek Life on campus is smaller at the University , but includes 3 International Fraternities : Delta Chi , Pi Lambda Phi and Sigma Chi ; 2 International Sororities : Phi Sigma Sigma and Delta Zeta . There is also one local sorority , Delta Alpha Theta . Many students take advantage of their proximity to Michigan for cultural , recreational and educational opportunities . All full - time undergraduate students are members of the University of Windsor Students ' Alliance and possess a health and dental plan coverage as well as access to " The Thirsty Scholar " , a newspaper and a radio station . In addition to the newspaper The Lance — which is partially funded by the UWSA and provides stories written by student volunteers — the University of Windsor is host to several independent publications . The Student Movement is a grassroots , independent , student run paper providing a critical discourse towards administration and the UWSA . The Issue is a student run electronic publication covering international social justice issues . Leddy Library is the main campus library . The Paul Martin Law Library serves the Faculty of Law . The Canadian Auto Workers Union helped to build the CAW Student Centre which is a central meeting place for students . The University has a unique agreement with the Ambassador Duty - Free Store , at Canada ' s busiest border crossing , which provides student jobs , 400 parking spaces , and an annual cash annuity to the school . Residence life . The University houses male and female students in six different residence halls across campus . Alumni Hall is the only building on campus that houses Beyond First Year and first year students in the same building but not in the same rooms . It is a suite - style residence where rooms have two bedrooms that share a kitchenette , and 3 - piece bathroom . Because of demand , entrance to Alumni Hall is based on grade - point average for first year undergraduate students . Cartier , Laurier and Macdonald Halls are home to first - year undergraduate students ; Laurier Hall hosts alternating single - gender floors while Cartier and Macdonald Halls are entirely co - ed floors . Clark Residence , another Beyond First Year residence ( returning , undergraduates , graduate , transfer and exchange students , is a collection of townhouse style apartments which include full kitchen facilities in each unit . Clark is available only to Beyond First students . Electa Hall is a co - ed building which houses Beyond First Year students ( returning , undergraduates , graduate , transfer and exchange students ) and students in professional programs such as education and law . Electa Hall hosts the Law residence community and many other communities . Athletics . The University is represented in Canadian Interuniversity Sport by the Windsor Lancers . The Lancers play within the Ontario University Athletics conference . The University of Windsor Stadium plays host to a variety of intercollegiate sports including football , men and women ' s , soccer and outdoor track and field . Windsor Lancers Ice Hockey team plays at the Windsor Arena , previous home to the Windsor Spitfires OHL hockey team . Scholarships . The University joined Project Hero , a scholarship program cofounded by General ( Ret ' d ) Rick Hillier , for the families of fallen Canadian Forces members . The University established Rosa Schreiber Award with the assistance of former University of Windsor Professor Economics , Alan A . Brown . From the University ' s Senate Committee on Student Awards : The competition award is open to Arts or Social Science students in Year 2 or beyond . Applicants must submit a 1 , 500 - 2 , 000 word essay on some aspect of moral courage . Submission must be made to the Office of Student Awards . This competition will be held in alternate years . It was established in 1995 to honour Rosa Schreiber , an Austrian Freedom Fighter who risked her life to help others during World War II . Administration . The University ' s current President is Dr . Alan Wildeman , formerly VP Research at the University of Guelph . He took office on July 1 , 2008 , as the University ’ s sixth President and Vice - Chancellor , succeeding Dr . Ross H . Paul . Memberships . It is a member of the National Conference of Canadian Universities and Colleges , the University Articulation Board of Ontario , the International Association of Universities , and the Association of the British Commonwealth . The Lance ( Student Newspaper ) is a member of CUP .