The Second Decade (1982-1992)
In 1983, the metric system of weights and measures was officially adopted by the Government of Canada, and the essential job of processing applications at the OUAC was officially adopted by the universities - despite some initial apprehension when the system began in 1972...
Staff
During the second decade, the OUAC's full-time staff increased to about 20. As processing applications increased, the OUAC also employed the help of 120 part-time employees during the busy admissions cycle. Staff worked weekends to keep up with incoming applications and to cash cheques on time. OUAC employees lugged suitcases full of cheques to the bank before online payments became the norm.
The early 1980s saw the advent of high-speed, high-volume photocopiers. Once applications reached the OUAC, the master copies went to the Xerox 8200 photocopier, where three copies of each form were made for the chosen universities. Then, the master copies went to the key punch operators who recorded the information in the OUAC's computer system.
- In 1983, the OUAC procured its own server - an IBM System/38, which at the time was "cutting edge". Programmers used a programming language called RPG III.
- The OUAC upgraded again in 1988 to an IBM AS/400 model B35 (4.6 CPW). CPW is the measure of relative processing power.
- Since the OUAC didn't have its own internet connection at this point in time, data was saved to a tape drive, walked to the University of Guelph, put onto the university's internet connection and distributed via File Transfer Protocol over Onet.
- By 1991, the OUAC was connected to its own Onet (essentially, the internet) and upgraded to a D45 (6.5 CPW) model AS/400.
During the second decade, the OUAC relocated to 90 Woodlawn Road, increasing in space from 1,000 square feet to 2,500 square feet. The OUAC remained there until 1989 when it had, once again, outgrown the building.
The OUAC later moved down the road to 650 Woodlawn Road to an 8,500 square foot building, which doubled to approximately 16,000 square feet while the OUAC was located there. This location also housed the OUAC's first meeting room, which allowed staff to host meetings with offsite members - something that previous office space didn't allow for.
- In September 1991, the OUAC agreed to help produce and distribute INFO Magazine.
- During this decade, the first of many external OUAC groups were formed - the Committee on Admission Practices (CAP).
- The OUAC celebrated the anniversary of its 10th admissions cycle in 1982.
Greg Marcotte
The OUAC's second office location
Endless boxes of mail (1991)
Linda Batten hard at work
Shaaron and Deb working diligently
45 Facts
You May Not Know About the OUAC
- In the early paper application years of the OUAC, applications were photocopied on a Xerox 8200 photocopier. Imagine having to photocopy 70,000 undergraduate applications forms!
- Before the OUAC had computers and data terminals onsite, punch cards were used as part of the undergraduate application process. An IBM 125 key punch machine then read the data, processed it and printed out a paper report.
- In the days of paper applications and endless mail, the OUAC received mail from all over the world, making it a stamp collector's paradise.
- At the 20th anniversary lunch on February 13, 1992, Director Greg Marcotte ended his speech with the following: "All of us at the Centre look forward to being of service to you and your applicants for the next twenty years at least!" Quite humorous, in hindsight, now that the OUAC is celebrating its 45th.
