Top Ten
February 7, 2008
UBC receives another campus threat
Another unspecific threat against the University of British Columbia was received this week, and the campus was on "full-scale alert" yesterday. Classes were cancelled in the Biosciences building. Last week, a very similar threat was received, without details of location or method of harm. An email was sent to all faculty, staff and students. Phones and the university's website will be used to update the community. UBC's emergency alert system has not been deployed.
Postscript: July 4, 2008University of British Columbia student Hwi Lee has plead guilty to uttering threats and causing mischief in relation to 2 incidents at UBC in January and February. Both threats forced the closure of the university's biosciences building. No one was hurt in either instance. The 19-year-old was arrested without incident in late February. CBC
Universities explore emergency communication options
Simon Fraser University, the University of Alberta, and the University of New Brunswick are part of a three-year study of emergency messaging on campuses. The project was formed after the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre where 33 people were killed, and the 2006 Dawson College shooting where 1 student was killed and 19 were injured. Text messaging is touted as the emergency communication system winning the most "attention." uCalgary has recently implemented a text-message alert system. UBC has purchased such a system but has not deployed it.uMontreal centre receives 1 million... Aeroplan miles?
Universite de Montreal's international studies centre, CERIUM, has received $380,000 cash and 1 million Aeroplan miles from Aeroplan. CERIUM was established less than 4 years ago, but has already established itself in the competitive international studies market. Aeroplan's gift will help it "soar ahead" of its competition.Polytechnics Canada wants more federal research funding
Polytechnics Canada is asking the federal government to "introduce additional measures to facilitate research and commercialization activities between industry and polytechnics," as well as invest in "career-ready graduates." Polytechnics Canada is calling for "fair" support for all three PSE streams (polytechnics, colleges and universities). BCIT, SAIT, Conestoga, George Brown, Humber, Sheridan and Seneca are the 7 members of the alliance.uMoncton won't become a polytechnic
We mentioned last week that New Brunswick's premier has confirmed the future of liberal arts at the University of New Brunswick - Saint John. Apparently, the NB government has also confirmed that the University of Moncton's Shippagan and Edmunston campuses will continue as university campuses, rather than being "transformed" into polytechnic institutes.Mount Royal plans 5 new degree options for September
Calgary's Mount Royal College hopes to launch 5 new undergraduate degree programs for fall 2008. Alberta's Liberal leader has repeated a campaign promise to give the college university status if elected. MRC's president is focusing on recognized programs and credits, rather than a "label." MRC launched a nursing degree program last fall, and in the works are a BA, BA criminal justice studies, BComm, BSc and BBA.
Postscript: April 17, 2008
Last Friday, Calgary's Mount Royal College officially announced the 5 new degree programs that it anticipated earlier this year.
