November 10, 2008
York University students are turning to the Internet to voice their frustration over the
strike by teaching assistants and contract faculty, which is keeping students out of class. A number of groups protesting the strike are popping up on Facebook, such as York University Anti-Strike and York Victims. Some students have created a website called YorkNotHostage.com, and plan to hold a rally against the strike next Monday.
Toronto Star |
York University Anti-Strike Facebook Group |
York Victims Facebook Group |
YorkNotHostage.comThe Ontario chapter of the Canadian Union of Public Employees and a coalition called No Private Residence at Trent are running a series of bus ads targeting Trent University's
proposed private student residence. The ads read: "Don't let Trent sell out our campus to commercial interests." The ads urge Peterborough city council to reject Trent's application to grant a 99-year lease to a private developer to build the residence on university lands. The plan has drawn criticism from students and city residents.
CUPE News Release |
No Private Residence at TrentFollowing an audit of research services at the University of Lethbridge, Alberta's auditor-general is calling for clearer financial reporting from the university. The auditor-general's report urges uLethbridge's board of governors be better informed if a project's funding falls through and could affect the school's budget. The report found researchers don't always co-operate with university administration, and policy doesn't clarify the roles and responsibilities of accountants. uLethbridge is already working on implementing the report's recommendations.
Lethbridge HeraldThe University of Alberta has decided to modify a line in its convocation address in which the chancellor charges students to use their degrees "for the glory of God and the honour of your country." The University of Alberta Atheists and Agnostics, a student group, recently
petitioned the university to remove the line from the ceremony. Last Monday, the executive committee of General Faculties Council agreed to form a sub-committee to draft some new revisions of the charge. The sub-committee will present their recommendation to the full council in the New Year.
uAlberta ExpressNewsMcGill University was named one of the leading 27 business schools in the world, according to a survey by Eduniversal. Along with McGill, HEC Montreal, uToronto, UWO, Queen's, and UBC made the top 100 list. 26 Canadian universities were named in the top 1,000 list. The schools did not receive a number in the rank, but were rather classified by geographic location. University World News | Top 27 | Top 100 | Top 1,000
Maclean's 18th annual University Rankings issue will hit newsstands on Thursday, but some content is already available on the magazine's website. McGill University placed first in the medical-doctoral category. The University of Victoria and Simon Fraser University tied for the top spot in the comprehensive category. Mount Allison University was named the top primarily undergraduate school. Criticism still remains over the methodology
Maclean's uses in its rankings.
Maclean's News Release |
Maclean's OnCampus |
Montreal Gazette Monday's
Globe and Mail included a 4-page feature on Canadian colleges. Community colleges are playing a key role in
applied research in Canada. Despite demand and record enrolment, colleges are falling behind in their ability to meet current and future
labour needs. The "Report on Colleges" includes a feature on a program at
Okanagan College designed to attract international students to address skilled labour shortages in BC. The report also profiles
Centennial College's Signature Learning Experience and Humanracebook campaign.
Last month, the University of British Columbia unveiled virtual tours of its Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. Visitors can scroll over a map of the campuses and click on highlighted areas to view a photo gallery of buildings and venues. There are also interactive maps of Vancouver and Kelowna showcasing attractions and activities. The sites feature a guided photo tour of the campus, student activities and services, and the local social scene. Each site includes 2 videos profiling current students.
UBC Vancouver Campus Tour |
UBC Okanagan Campus TourAfter the Quebec government introduced a sweeping
education reform, which will be fully implemented during the next school year, CEGEPs started wondering what to expect when the first cohort of reform-educated students enter college in 2010. An official at John Abbott College says the more faculty know about changes in the high school curriculum, "the more relieved they'll be" once the first cohort enrols in CEGEP. Work is underway to facilitate the transition. The Conseil supérior de l'éducation is looking at how CEGEPs should prepare to receive the students in 2010.
Montreal GazetteLike their
Canadian counterparts, US post-secondary institutions are trying to cope with the current market turmoil. Whether public or private, rich or poor, a number of American colleges are announcing layoffs, budget cuts, hiring freezes, and are deferring construction projects and planned capital campaigns. The economic crisis is extending to students, as some are considering living off-campus or giving up their meal plan. Keeping tuition low enough to maintain enrolment, but high enough to support operations is a trickier process than ever. Many schools are revising their student aid packages.
New York Times
rtraction