Although the Sociology Department was formally established in 1958, classes in Sociology had been offered since 1940 through the Department of Economics. The merger of Economics and Political Science in 1947 resulted in the creation of a sub-department of Sociology. Within a year of its creation the Department of Sociology was offering graduate level classes and was developing a research program that would focus on ethnic relations, medical sociology, family studies and community development. In an effort to further facilitate excellence in research and scholarly work, the social research unit was created in 1983. The following have served as head of the department: R.E. DuWors (1957-1968); J.E. Abramson (1968-1972); D.R. Cherry (1972-1974); G.S. Basran (1974-1978); B.S. Bolaria (9178-1990); K. Storrie (1990-1993); T. Wotherspoon (1993-).

Initially two directors conducted an athletic and physical education program for female and male students and staff. Classes were designed to prepare some students as physical education instructors for elementary and secondary schools. As early as 1940 all freshmen students were required to enroll in a one-year physical activities class. In 1950 a Department of Physical Education was established to carry on a service program for all students and to provide for physical education classes as electives in the Colleges of Arts and Science and Education. The Department became a School within Arts and Science in 1958, offering a 4-year course leading to the Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education. The graduate program and scientific research expanded in the 1960s and in 1972 the School achieved College status. In 1998 the College was renamed the College of Kinesiology. The following individuals have served as Dean or Director: Directors--E.W. "Joe" Griffith (1919-1952); Ethel Mary Cartwright (1931-1947); K. Gowie (1958-1959); W.A.R. Orban (1959-1966); H. Nixon (1966-1972). Deans--H. Nixon [Acting] (1972-1974); H. Nixon (1974-1977); J.D. Dewar (1977-1986); R.L. Mirwald (1986-1996); R.A. Faulkner (1996- ).

Originally known as the Veterinary Infectious Disease Organization, VIDO was established at the University of Saskatchewan in 1975. VIDO is a research organization of the University of Saskatchewan that operates with financial support from the Government of Canada, the government of Saskatchewan, livestock industry councils and agencies, foundations and human and animal health companies. VIDO worked to find cures for common infectious diseases in cattle, swine and poultry. VIDO scientists carved out an international reputation for their pioneering work in the 1980's on vaccines aimed at combating shipping fever and a disease which produces pneumonia and arthritis in cattle. In addition to the 2,500,000 sq ft facility on campus, VIDO-InterVac also operates a 160-acre research station. The laboratory took on its current name, International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac), in March 2003. In October 2003 a large expansion was completed. In March 2004, VIDO received funding for the construction one of the world's largest and most advanced biosafety level 3 facilities, the International Vaccine Centre (InterVac), for research into emerging and reemerging human and animal diseases. In 2020, VIDO-InterVac began developing a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was established with a grant provided by the Devonian Group of Charitable Foundations of Calgary, and with supplementary funding from the provincial governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan, the University, and subsequently a great many livestock and poultry organizations. VIDO represented a new and unique model for funding practical goal-oriented research, and established an international reputation by developing several new vaccines to prevent neonatal diarrhea, or scours, in newborn calves (Vicogen, Ecostar, Ecostar 2RC); Haemophilus somnus infection of cattle (Somnu-Star and Somu-Star Ph); shipping fever pneumonia in cattle (Pneumo-Star); pneumonia in pigs (Pleuro-Star); and adenovirus infection in turkeys (Hevlan-TC). It also developed new management and disease prevention programs for cattle and swine. In 2003, VIDO changed its name and opened an expansion to its building that now provides 80,000 square feet of ultramodern laboratory space for a staff of 145 researchers. It uses the most modern research tools of genomics and bioinformatics to develop new vaccines and vaccine delivery technology.

Stephen Acres

The Department of Chemistry was created in 1910 and offered classes in General Chemistry, Analysis, Organic and Physical Chemistry. To meet the demands of the various colleges and schools it served, the department expanded its offerings to include Cereal Chemistry, Industrial and Applied Chemistry. In 1922 Chemical Engineering was added to the department's responsibilities until 1982 when it became a separate Engineering department. The areas of research have been varied, ranging from applied research projects related to the natural resources of the province to pure science problems. From an early point in the department's development it provided analytical services to both the public and private sectors but with a reduction in demand this was discontinued in 1990. The following have served as head of the department: R.D. MacLaurin (1910-1919); T. Thorvaldson (1919-1948); J.W.T. Spinks (1948-1959); K.J. MacCallum (1959-1970); J.M. Pepper (1970-1976); A.R. Knight (1976-1981); D.R. Grant (1981-1984); J.R. Woods (1984-1989); W.L. Waltz (1989-1994).

Operating from 1969 to 1975 and reporting to the Principal, the Student Liaison Office was created by the University Administration as a mechanism to monitor student activities and act as a liaison between the administration and the students.

The Centre for Community Studies, a joint University-Government program, was created in 1957. Its objective was to undertake research, disseminate knowledge and offer specialized advice with respect to the applied social sciences and the processes of community education. It specialized in the theory and practice of community change and development, using an inter-disciplinary approach: its staff came from sociology, economics, anthropology, social psychology, and history. In 1966 the Centre was incorporated as the Canadian Centre for Community Studies, with a head office in Ottawa.

In 1913 Abigail DeLury began 17 years as the Director of Women's Work in the Department of Extension, establishing Homemaker's Clubs (later, Saskatchewan Women's Institutes) to whom she taught homemaking skills and for whom she produced a variety of domestic science pamphlets. Instruction in household science began on campus in 1917 with the appointment of E.B. Rutter as instructor. The Department became a School within the College of Arts and Science in 1928 and the School became a College in 1942. In 1941 the degree program expanded from 3 to 4 years following senior matriculation. The name was changed from the College of Household Science to the College of Home Economics in 1952. The College was phased out in 1990. The following individuals served as Dean: G.H. Ling (1931-1940); H.H. Hunt (1940-1965); E.R. Simpson (1965-1971); M.J. Guilford [Acting] (1972); Helen Abell (1973-1974); M.J. Guilford [Acting] (1974-1976); D.L. Gibson (1976-1981); T.J. Abernathy (1981-1982); H.E. Nixon [Acting] (1982); G.M. Moss (1982-1987); Eva Lee (1987-1989); M. Crowle (1989-1990).

With John Diefenbaker’s “Northern Vision Speech” in February 1958, Canadians turned their collective eyes north. It was now a Federal funding and policy priority. There was, however, a wide knowledge gap when compared to the Scandinavian countries and Russia. To fill this gap, the University of Saskatchewan established The Institute for Northern Studies in January 1960. Building on the decades of northern research, the U of S created a muli-disciplinary unit dedicated to research on the Subarctic and Arctic regions of Canada. A special emphasis was placed on northern Saskatchewan. The Institute was to act as a focal point for northern research at the University, to encourage northern research by obtaining scholarship funds and grants, and to coordinate interdisciplinary research. In addition the Institute provided a lecture series which promoted understanding of the Canadian north; training programs which taught northern peoples new skills; cross-cultural courses for people working in the north; and a northern information service. A sample of the studies supported by the INS include political and social history of the Northwest Territories; biological investigations on forest vegetation, fungi, mammals, biting insects, birds; economic surveys of water transportation, mining, fishing, timber, furs; the geology of some mining camps, the geophysics of the earth's crust; engineering design of radio communication for remote areas. In 1981 it was announced that the Institute would be phased out over three years. The records of the INS can be found at the University of Saskatchewan Archives.

Following passage of the Saskatchewan Pharmacy Act in 1911, the newly incorporated Saskatchewan Pharmaceutical Association requested the University of Saskatchewan undertake the training and examination of pharmacists. A School within the College of Arts and Science was established in 1913 and the following year, 22 students enrolled in a one-year certificate program following a three-year apprenticeship. In 1921 the School became a College offering a four-year course leading to a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. Three years later the certificate program was extended to two years. In 1946 the four-year BSP was a requirement for license in Saskatchewan. In 1987 a Division of Nutrition and Dietetics was established in the College of Pharmacy. Prior to this, Nutrition and Dietetics had been offered in the College of Home Economics. In 1994 the College was renamed the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition.

Saskatchewan’s branch of the Dominion Provincial Youth Training Program (DPYTP) was established in 1937 with the goal of training young people for gainful employment (Paul, 1948, p. 1). This program was initiated during the depression years; since government funds were scarce, the costs of the program were shared between the Dominion Department of Labour and the Provincial Department of Education. As a result, the program was given the name “Dominion Provincial” (Paul, 1948, p. 1). In general, the program offered instruction to people between the ages of 16 and 30 years, offering courses in agriculture for men and in homemaking for women. In addition to the specific courses, there was also the opportunity for young men to receive financial assistance to attend the two-year School of Agriculture Course at the University of Saskatchewan.
The DPTYP was established as a solution to a specific issue, namely, “the youth problem” that was considered to exist in Canada (Department of Labour, Youth Training Division, 1939, p. 5). The “youth problem” was characterized by high rates of unemployment among young people. Many believe that the “youth problem” began with the collapse of 1929; in reality, this issue existed prior to 1929 (Department of Labour, Youth Training Division, 1939, p. 6). Prior to the onset of the depression, Canada’s economic conditions meant that this issue was overlooked. However, the depression magnified the issue, resulting in a perceived urgency in the need for a solution. This problem was not exclusive to Canada, as all Western countries were trying to deal with the “youth problem.” However, there were certain factors that existed in Canada that made the problem different here than anywhere else. More specifically, there were 50,000 to 55,000 between the ages of 16 and 30 years in Saskatchewan who were unable to leave home to pursue training in any area of study (Federal-Provincial Youth Training for Saskatchewan Farm Boys Memo, p. 1). Many of these young men had left school at 15 or 16 years, having only completed a grade nine education. The perceived consequences of such a large number of unemployed youth were clear: “Because of little or no directional influence they are inclined to drift mentally, to allow their minds to stagnate, and due to economic conditions, to feel sorry for themselves” (Federal-Provincial Training for Saskatchewan Farm Boys Memo, p. 1). Farming skills training was considered important both economically and for general social well-being.
The DPYTP was originally implemented to restore morale, increase independence and to provide direction for the youth of Saskatchewan. It was suggested that the Agricultural Extension Department hold short courses for young males and offer financial assistance to those who may need it (Youth Employment Program, 1937, p. 1). However, as the needs of the communities changed, so did the DPYTP. As the depression years came to an end and war broke out in Europe, the needs of the communities changed. Many communities experienced a decline in population: men were called away to the war or for special labour. These smaller communities made it difficult to run courses in all communities. Despite the efforts of community members to advocate for courses, many towns could not meet the 20 person minimum registration requirement. In addition, the increasing manufacturing work in the urban areas meant that the needs of urban areas became quite different from rural areas. As a result, the University of Saskatchewan began to offer two sets of courses: urban courses and rural courses, each with programs offered for men and women. Thus, the University continued to adapt its programming based on the needs of the communities.
In short, the DPYTP provided a program that served the needs of rural communities in Saskatchewan as they changed. Since Saskatchewan was a farming province, most of the courses offered to young men and women revolved around farming. This program helped communities provide skills and education to a young workforce. However, as men went to war and the urban/rural divide widened, the programs were altered to meet the changing needs of the communities.

In the spring of 1910, when the sod was turned on the site of the present College Building, there was on the prairie but one clump of half a dozen poplars. The university of today, large, complex, handsome, is the result of human imagination – and money and work and the will to make it happen. To remember the prairie before the building began is a good way to recognize the importance of human agency in remaking our world. This essay is a brief account of the decisions that led to the building of the university of today.

"An IBM 1620 computer was purchased in 1963 for the special university price of $89,120. Soon after, as well as the previous instructional and research uses, the administration began taking advantage of the Computation Centre, with the introduction of preparing payroll 'by IBM punched cards.'" Taken from: The First Decade of Computing at the U of S by Tim Hutchinson; published in On Campus News, v7, n7, 26 Nov. 1999.