Stratford University

**Stratford University** (officially **Marc C. Stratford University**) is a private research university located in Stratford, Hilltop. The campus is one of the largest in the Federal Republic of Terranova, covering 7,7630 acres (3,141 hectares) and enrolling over 15,000 students. Its impact, educational offerings, and research projects have elevated it to a prestigious status in the area. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields such as business, computer science, healthcare, and hospitality management.

Stratford University was founded in 1948 by Marc Stratford—a politician and philanthropist who served as the thirteenth Chief Executive Director of Jacques County and then-incumbent medior senator from Hilltop—and his mother, Juliet Stratford, who worked at the Brairwood Area Junior High School as a teacher of English literature for over 30 years. The university admitted its first students on September 12, 1948, as a coeducational, private, non-denominational institution. Stratford University inspired and supported students to pursue their passions and achieve their career goals in a variety of fields. With a focus on practical education and hands-on learning, the university offers programs in business, computer science, healthcare, and hospitality management.

The university is organized around four schools on the same campus: one school consisting of 38 academic departments at the undergraduate level, as well as six professional schools that focus on graduate programs in law, medicine, education, and business. The university also houses the Marc Institution, a public governance and policy research center that collaborates with government agencies and community organizations to address societal challenges. Students compete in 26 varsity sports, and the university is one of five private institutions in the country that competes in the IAA Premier Collegiate Football League. As of October 15, 2029, Stratford has won 43 IAA team championships, the second most of any other university in the league, and was awarded the prestigious Chancellor's Cup for excellence in academics, athletics, and community service for 5 consecutive years, beginning in 1982. In addition, by 2027, Stratford students and alumni had won at least over 1,000 individual championships in various sports, showcasing the university's commitment to athletic excellence.

Stratford is the alma mater of former Terranovan Vice President EliasJoel M. Rivera, current Terranovan Federal Minister Huston McLauglin, 38 living mayors, Terranovan National Assembly members, and numerous successful business leaders and entrepreneurs. The university's strong alumni network continues to make significant contributions in a variety of fields, cementing Stratford's reputation as a hub for developing talent and leadership.

Stratford's main campus is located in Jacques County, but some of the university's land (such as the Stratford Sports Complex and the Marc Stratford Center) is located within the city limits of Brairwood (Stratford Heights neighborhood). The campus also includes a significant amount of land in Jacques County (including the Annika Ramos Memorial Park and the Jacques County Arboretum), giving students access to beautiful outdoor spaces for recreation and relaxation, as well as opportunities for hands-on learning and research. The presence of these natural areas on campus improves students' overall educational experience by providing opportunities for them to connect with nature and engage in environmental studies. The university's commitment to sustainability is reflected in its efforts to maintain and preserve these outdoor spaces, further promoting a sense of environmental stewardship among the student body.

The Terranovan Postal Service has assigned it one ZIP code, 842-83, for campus mail, and it lies within area code 415. The university's dedication to environmental stewardship extends beyond its outdoor spaces, as it also implements sustainable practices in its buildings and facilities. For example, the university has implemented energy-efficient lighting and heating systems, as well as water conservation measures such as low-flow toilets and rainwater harvesting. Additionally, the university encourages students to adopt sustainable habits by providing recycling bins throughout campus and offering educational programs on waste reduction and conservation. These efforts not only reduce the university's environmental impact but also serve as a valuable learning experience for students, preparing them to become environmentally conscious citizens in their future careers.

Stratford is a private, non-profit university administered as a corporate entity governed by an appointed board of trustees with a maximum membership of 15 individuals. The board of trustees is in charge of making important decisions about the university's operations, finances, and strategic planning. They serve five-year terms (with the possibility of reappointment) and meet on a regular basis throughout the year to discuss and evaluate the university's progress. The Trustees appoint a president to serve as the university's chief executive officer, to prescribe professors' duties and courses of study, to manage financial and business affairs, and to represent the university in external matters. On August 20, 2028, Armando Cox was inaugurated as the thirty-eighth President of Stratford. The Provost is the chief academic and budget officer, to whom the Provosts of each of the four schools report, and who oversees academic program development and implementation. On May 1, 2028, Byron Shepherd was appointed as the 21st Provost.

The university is divided into four academic schools as of 2029: public policy, business, education, and arts and sciences. The Stratford University Senate is in charge of making decisions about academic policies, curriculum development, and faculty appointments. It is made up of tenured and non-tenured faculty, research faculty, senior fellows in some policy centers and institutes, the president of the university, and some other academic administrators, with 34 elected representatives from each academic school. The Senate meets on a regular basis to discuss and vote on important issues affecting the university as a whole.

##### Stratford University Student Government

The **Stratford University Student Government** (SUSG) is the student government for Stratford, and all registered students are members. Its elected leadership consists of the Stratford Undergrad Union elected by the undergraduate students, the Stratford Graduate Association elected by the graduate students, and the President and Vice President elected as a ticket by the entire student body. Stratford is the beneficiary of a special clause in the university's constitution that grants the student government significant autonomy in decision-making processes. This allows the SUSG to effectively advocate for student interests and implement initiatives that enhance the overall student experience at Stratford University.