May 7, 2008
Across Canada, this week is Emergency Preparedness Week, and the theme is "72 Hours -- Is your Family Prepared?" York University's Emergency Preparedness Program manager says it's up to everyone to be prepared to cope for at least 72 hours during an emergency or disaster situation. She advises that faculty, staff and students keep an emergency kit in the car, office, or dorm rooms. If students are on a tight budget, the manager suggests people get together with others in the area and chip in for a group kit, or a kit for each floor in residence.
Y-FileA
month after the AUCC lifted the probationary membership of the First Nations University of Canada, the university may now be censured by the country's academics unless the administration agrees to remedy violations of basic university governance principles, academic freedom and respect for collective bargaining. Delegates to the Canadian Association of University Teachers' Council meeting over the weekend supported a resolution to censure FNUC this November if no progress is made.
CAUT News The family of the University of Western Ontario's chancellor has made a $10-million, 10-year commitment toward the naming of the Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, announced late last month. Applications to UWO's nursing program are up 22% this year. Other buildings on Western's campus, including the Health Sciences building and the Visual Arts building, already bear the Labatt family name. This
donation will support student scholarships, education and research funds, renewal of the Health Sciences Addition, and the establishment of a chair in nursing. Western News
The University of Western Ontario continues its surge of campus construction and renovation with $122.6 in capital improvements this year, including the new $15-million Student Services building, and $14-million Claudette MacKay-Lassonde Pavilion (also known as the Green Building).
Other projects include the $9-million Support Services Building, the $5-million Advanced Facility for Avian Research, the Material Sciences Addition, and the Institute for Chemicals and Fuels from Alternative Resources Facility. With 80% of the major buildings at UWO built before 1978, renovations are a continuing part of the university's capital planning. Western News
The University of Saskatchewan is considering a consultant's recommendation to build a 200-room hotel within a student housing development. The hotel would target visiting academics, researchers, sports teams and fans, and could also hold small conferences. If the hotel is a go, it wouldn't be built for 3 to 5 years. The first priority is student housing, and the university hopes to start constructing 200 townhouses for students in the College Quarter development.
Saskatoon Star-PhoenixThe Alberta government announced a $7.3-million investment in the Alexander Rutherford Scholarship program. The expansion of the scholarship will enable Grade 10-12 students with high B averages to earn up to $1,500 towards PSE. The current Alexander Rutherford Scholarship, which provides up to $2,500 over 3 years to students with A averages, remains unchanged. The Rutherford Scholar program, which honours Alberta's top 10 high school graduates, will see its financial award increased from $1,500 to $2,500.
Alberta News ReleaseStarting this fall, Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario will offer an Honours BEd (Aboriginal) program. Apparently the first of its kind in Canada, the 4-year program will prepare people of Aboriginal ancestry to become fully certified teachers. The program will include required courses in Native Language and Culture, specializations in literacy and numeracy, and emphasis on working with children with special needs.
Lakehead media releaseWith food prices skyrocketing worldwide, some college food-service operations have fallen into deficit and are being forced to get creative with their budgets. Many dining halls have focused on reducing portions, or preparing foods differently, like making baked goods from scratch. Many institutions will raise prices for meal plans this fall to cope with higher food expenses. Some schools are also
eliminating trays to reduce waste and cost.
The Chronicle of Higher Education (subscription required)
A Brandon, Manitoba teen has been charged with impersonating one of his teachers on Facebook. The teenager allegedly set up a Facebook profile in the teacher's name, complete with a photo and biographical details. This case marks the first time many experts have seen an impersonation charge filed for activity on a social networking website. 24 junior high students in Edmonton were expelled or suspended last year for setting up profiled in the names of two teachers on Nexopia, but never faced criminal charges. Concerns over Facebook in academic settings have reached the PSE level in Canada.
Earlier this year, a Ryerson University student faced expulsion over a study group on Facebook.
Globe and MailA new report predicts that 99% of North American university campuses will have 802.11n Wi-Fi in the next 5 years. Currently, just 2% of schools across the continent have the latest high-speed wireless standard, which has yet to be ratified by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Concordia University is the first Canadian university to implement the 802.11n wireless networking system.
ABI Research News Release |
Globe and Mail
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