Today represents a National Day of Action in support of First Nations in Canada. The Assembly of First Nations, as well as many other First Nations across the country, have planned peaceful events meant to create opportunities for education and increased awareness of First Nations issues and culture. Aboriginal PSE participation and student success have become priorities for government and many Canadian colleges and universities in recent years. Statement by Chief Phil Fontaine (AFN) | The KW Record
A new national survey conducted by Catalyst Canada and Ryerson University finds that inclusive work environments and advancement opportunities for visible minority professionals are “within the reach” of corporate Canada. The same survey found that visible minority Canadians are less satisfied with their careers than others in the workforce. By 2017, visible minorities are predicted to represent 20% of Canada’s available workforce. Ted Rogers School of Management News Release
St. Lawrence College will be the home of Kingston’s new $6.7 million track and field facility, to open Spring 2008. School boards, the College, Queen’s University, the city of Kingston, the YMCA, Sport Kingston and local track clubs all took part in the planning. The school boards and Queen’s have put together roughly 50% of the total funds needed. The Kingston Whig-Standard
Yesterday, Lethbridge College announced plans to launch an innovative policing program for Métis students. The one-year certificate course is designed to prepare Métis students for a career in law enforcement, and ensure that graduates can meet stringent hiring regulations. (LC email News Release)
London city council has approved a recommendation that the University of Western Ontario not be held responsible for a 1991 commitment to pay for improvements to Western Road . The 16-year-old agreement was found early in 2007, and raised concerns that the university was potentially liable for $3 million promised to add a bridge to the community, because of increased traffic anticipated from the opening of the UWO Research Park. The University and the city have agreed on a $300,000 settlement. The London Free Press
Research recently published by the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation reports that 70% of Canadian high school graduates are pursuing or have completed some form of PSE two years after Grade 12, but the remainder face barriers that prevent them from obtaining a post-secondary credential. The Class of 2003 High School Follow-Up Survey studied Grade 12 students in four provinces two years after graduation and examines the barriers to PSE in Canada . CMSFNews Release | Report (PDF)
The Carleton University Students’ Association council has put together a wish list for the school’s next president: a PhD, a willingness to fight for more public money, and a strong student focus. The council is hoping for “out-of-the-box” candidates with backgrounds in education rather than business. Aside from the council, the official presidential search committee is looking for someone with experience in university, government or corporate work. The committee has launched a website and a Facebook group to encourage student conversation on the search for a new school leader. The Charlatan (Student Newspaper)
Over the past 30 years, the application process for more than 300 participating US colleges has been managed by non-profit company Common Application Inc. A new company, ApplicationsOnline LLC, recently introduced a competing service promising “greater access to high-achieving low-income and minority students,” and have already signed up 13 clients, including Harvard and Princeton . Many institutions plan to use both services in combination to increase the diversity of their applicant pools. The Chronicle of Higher Education (Subscription Required)
According to a recent report by the U.S. National Center for Education Statistics, only 15% of part-time students in a longitudinal study had completed a degree or certificate by the end of six years, in comparison to 64% of full-time students. Factors such as being less academically prepared, coming from low-income families, and having lower educational expectations than full-time students were said to contribute to the obstacles faced by part-time students. The Chronicle of Higher Education (Subscription Required) | Read the Report (PDF)
Schools worried about student drinking habits might want to schedule a few extra Friday morning lectures. Students with classes on Fridays drink an average of 1.39 alcoholic drinks on Thursday nights, compared to those without Friday morning classes, who drink an average of 2.41 drinks on Thursday nights. 1,700 college students in the US die each year from “unintentional incidents related to drinking.” USA Today
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