Evolution of OUInfo

Year Event
1970

Introduction of Counsellor Guidelines, a newsletter that provides a central, non-partisan compilation of Ontario university entrance requirements.

1973

Counsellor Guidelines is renamed INFO and remains a resource for Ontario high school guidance counsellors. A different university volunteers each year to produce and distribute the magazine.

1991

The Ontario 海角视频' Application Centre (OUAC) agrees to help produce and distribute INFO magazine at the request of the Council of Ontario 海角视频 (COU) and the Ontario University Registrars' Association (OURA).

1992

The OUAC implements a new policy to provide copies of the magazine to every graduating Ontario high school student.

The INFO Editorial Board (IEB) is formed to guide the development of the magazine and determine its content. The IEB contains representatives from all parties served by INFO magazine, including the Ontario School Counsellors' Association (OSCA), the Ontario 海角视频' Council on Admissions (OUCA), the Standing Committee on Secondary School Liaison (SCSSL), COU, OURA and the OUAC.

1999

The OUAC assumes full responsibility for producing INFO magazine, including coordinating and editing work that was previously done by university volunteers. While the IEB decides the INFO content and format, the OUAC compiles the information from Ontario universities and provides a unified editorial voice that highlights all Ontario universities equally.

2002

OURA mandates that INFO magazine become electronic by 2008. In response, the IEB establishes a year-long commission to examine the migration from a printed magazine to an online version.

The IEB indicates that an online INFO would be beneficial to:

  • allow students of any age and grade level to access the resource, a goal that would be impossible for the printed magazine.
  • allow the OUAC to collect accurate information, as the universities would update their information on a regular basis.
  • align information in INFO with the information in the OUAC online application, allowing students, teachers and parents to access consistent information from the beginning to the end of the research and application process.
2002

The eINFO (short for "electronic INFO") project plan is created to guide the development of the eINFO website.

2002-2006

The IEB, through the OUAC, engages in extensive consultation with high school students and counsellors via surveys and focus groups to determine the needs for eINFO.

2005

eINFO goes "live" in December.

2006

The OUAC launches a new version of eINFO in September with additional search tools and updates.

2007

In the fall, the OUAC completely redesigns eINFO in both appearance and function. It becomes a powerful resource that makes finding and comparing university information easier and faster.

Users can:

  • Save searches
  • Compare programs at different universities
  • Customize and print data
  • Search for financial aid using specific criteria
  • Find additional information about programs and universities
2013

The IEB decides eINFO should be redesigned to address evolving design and accessibility standards. The IEB and the OUAC conduct surveys about the content and usability of the website with guidance counsellors, students and universities.

2014

The new website launches in August and includes:

  • A refreshed look and feel
  • Improved usability
  • Mobile-friendly functionality
  • Adherence to accessibility legislation (WCAG 2.0 AA)
2019

eINFO is renamed Ontario 海角视频' Info (OUInfo) to better align with COU's new branding and the Ontario university community, and to more closely reflect the content of the website. The OUAC launches OUInfo in August. It includes a refreshed look and new logo while maintaining the same functionality.

The IEB is renamed the Ontario 海角视频' Info Editorial Board (OUI-EB).

2023

OUInfo adds sections for Resources for Indigenous Applicants, Extenuating Circumstances, Transition Resources, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.