November 5, 2008
Acclaimed Canadian fibre artist Marilyn Walker has donated $15 million to Brock University's School of Fine and Performing Arts, making it the largest donation in the university's history. In honour of Walker's gift, Brock will rename the school the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts. The donation will support the school's programs and facilities, as well as help position it to be one of the best in North America.
Brock News ReleaseMcMaster University chancellor Lynton (Red) Wilson announced yesterday a $2.5-million donation to the university's Wilson Centre for Canadian History. Wilson says "it is time to refresh and renew the way Canadians study and celebrate their history." Wilson is one of McMaster's most generous donors; his gifts include a
$10-million commitment made last year towards a new liberal arts building on campus.
McMaster Daily News |
Globe and Mail |
Hamilton SpectatorThe University of Lethbridge was shut down on Tuesday following a sewage blockage that was limited to the campus only. Within a hour of the discovery of the backup, all water was shut off and the campus was evacuated. Students living on campus were supplied with water, portable toilets, and food. The blockage has been removed, and regular classes and business operations resumed yesterday.
uLethbridge Notice Board |
Lethbridge HeraldThe University of Winnipeg is putting 2 major projects of its
downtown expansion on hold due to the market downturn and unexpected structural problems in a former United Army Surplus store. The store is in such poor condition that it needs to be knocked down and replaced with a new facility. The university would like to take over the Greyhound bus depot once Greyhound's lease expires in August, but is still reviewing what makes financial sense. uWinnipeg's expansion plans include a science complex, student housing, and a film and theatre arts building.
Winnipeg Free PressLast week, Confederation and Cambrian Colleges entered an agreement to educate and train more health-care professionals needed in Northern Ontario. Under the agreement, students who complete Confederation's 1-year Medical Laboratory Assistant certificate program will advance to the second semester of Cambrian's 3-year Medical Laboratory Technology diploma program. The 2 colleges have partnered with the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre to provide clinical placement opportunities for students in both programs.
Confederation News Release |
Cambrian News Release |
Sudbury StarOn Monday, Barrie city council gave initial approval of a
townhouse development that could accommodate up to 376 Georgian College students. Georgian and the University Partnership Centre have nearly 10,000 full-time students, but can only accommodate about 520 on campus. Georgian's president says building more student residences is not the plan, as the school prefers to use college land for academic purposes. East-end Barrie residents, Georgian officials, and a city councillor discussed student housing issues last night at a community meeting.
Barrie Examiner |
East-end troubles targetedMohawk College has added sustainability to the goals listed in its
strategic plan. To push the initiative forward, the college has created the position of sustainable environment project co-ordinator. Lory Vanderzwet, who teaches environmental technicians at Mohawk, hopes to draw up a 3-year plan on reducing the college's footprint before her position ends in April. Her first focus will be on reducing waste and improving recycling, followed by encouraging the college community to use public transit, car pool, or cycle. Mohawk has already added a new heating and cooling system, as well as low-wattage fluorescent lighting.
Hamilton SpectatorOn Tuesday, the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario announced a research program to help Ontario college and university instructors share innovative teaching practices. The program includes a series of pilot projects, such as documenting pedagogical content to support knowledge exchange between colleagues. As the first step in the program, HEQCO released a paper exploring the idea of knowledge exchange networks for exemplary teaching.
HEQCO News ReleaseThe University of Ottawa recently launched an interactive microsite to attract prospective undergraduate and graduate students. "Seek to Know" asks visitors to take a brief test to find out about who they are. Visitors may choose one of 2 characteristics in a group, such as "creative or systematic." After the test, an imprint is created to reveal who you are. The site then reads: "It can be fun defining who you are. But the real fun is defining who you will be. It all starts at the University of Ottawa." A Facebook application complements the site.
Seek to Know website |
Seek to Know Facebook applicationThe Council for Advancement and Support of Education offers some general guidance about fundraising efforts during the current market turmoil. Fundraisers should spend more time with donors to foster and strengthen relationships that will endure once the economic situation stabilizes. Fundraisers should understand a donor's own circumstances, then explore options that would allow the donor to continue to express their commitment. Schools should carefully review their current fundraising performance against previous years and adjust projections accordingly. US institutions may want to use the
CASE Fundraising Index.
CASE News Release
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