Top Ten
September 29, 2008
Brandon U profs on strike
Classes were cancelled at Brandon University yesterday as professors, librarians, and administrative staff went on strike at 8 am Monday. Earlier this month, 84% of faculty association members voted in favour of strike action. Talks will resume today and run through to Friday. Brandon U News | Winnipeg Free Press | CBC | CTVMcGill seeks ownership of Royal Victoria Hospital
McGill University is considering acquiring Montreal's Royal Victoria Hospital when its ceases to operate as a hospital in 2013. There are some obstacles in the way of McGill occupying the hospital. Since the McGill University Health Centre owns and operates the building, McGill would not have the first crack at the property. The university would also have to find several hundred million dollars to renovate the facility. McGill wants to expand to provide more graduate student and lab space. Montreal Gazette$7 million for uLaval nutraceutical and food institute
Last Friday, the Quebec government announced over $6.5 million in funding to go towards Université Laval's $8-million expansion of its Institute for Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods. The project will double the intake capacity of the facility's service centre, creating 60 jobs. The institute was founded in 1999 to advance research of food and its effects on human health. Alberta Farm ExpressSTU, UNB pass resolutions on autonomy
The academic senates of St Thomas University and the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton and Saint John have passed motions instructing their presidents to fight to preserve autonomy in light of the province's action plan on PSE reform. STU will be hosting a forum next month about how the controversial plan could impact the institution. After the plan was released in June, some schools raised concerns about threats to university independence. For example, the province wants a committee to oversee courses to ensure they fit with its self-sufficiency agenda. Canadaeast News ServiceOntario sets cap on college ancillary fees
Last Friday, the Ontario government introduced new guidelines that stipulate the province's 24 community colleges cannot raise ancillary fees by more than 20% a year in total. Colleges are prohibited from charging students extra for technology, but can use extra fees to "enhance" information technology through services such as wireless Internet. The guidelines leave it up to the schools and their student unions to decide what will be covered by tuition, and by ancillary fees. The guidelines come after a court ruling rejected a bid by 2 students to launch a $200-million class action lawsuit against Ontario colleges over "illegal" extra fees. Toronto Star
