Top Ten
January 14, 2009
$40 million for university campus upgrades in Manitoba
The Manitoba government announced yesterday it is tripling its investment in university renewal by providing another $40 million in funding for 54 campus improvement projects at the province's 4 universities. Campus upgrades will include new roofing and plumbing, increased accessibility, additional security, and new heating and lighting systems. Manitoba News ReleaseConcordia student union to launch lawsuit over "incompetent" budget oversight
Concordia University's student union is preparing a civil lawsuit against its former comptroller over what it calls "incompetence" and "negligence" in spending oversight. Tens of thousands of dollars are unaccounted for, and many financial documents are missing. A forensic audit couldn't conclude whether money was misspent, mismanaged, or fraud had occurred. The student union is also looking into the role of student leaders who oversaw the comptroller's work. A former president accuses the current executive of "playing petty politics." Montreal GazetteCUPE Ontario supports banning Israeli institutions, not academics
The Ontario chapter of CUPE has dropped its controversial proposal for Ontario universities to boycott Israeli academics in light of the attacks on Gaza. Instead, the regional office will support a boycott of Israeli academic institutions, rather than of individuals. CUPE's national president said Tuesday that adopting a resolution to ban Israeli academics is "wrong and would violate the anti-discrimination standards set out in the CUPE Constitution." CUPE Ontario News Release | CUPE National News Release | Toronto StarArmed robbery at Dal computer store
Halifax Regional Police are searching for a masked gunman after Dalhousie University's computer store was robbed Tuesday afternoon. The man showed a gun to staff and demanded they fill a large gym back with laptops. The man fled with a couple of computers and cash. The suspect is described as a tall white male wearing a maroon tracksuit and a bandana or scarf masking his face. Police say there is no longer a risk to anyone on campus. Dal News | CBCStudent charged in uWindsor pub melee arrested outside courtroom
A University of Windsor student charged with assaulting a police officer in a clash at a party at a campus pub last January was arrested outside a courtroom Tuesday for failing to appear in traffic court, leaving his lawyer and peers bewildered. Moments before the arrest, the student denied on the stand he assaulted an officer during last year's melee, which sparked allegations of police brutality and led to creation of a group called Students Against Anti-Black Racism. The incident is under internal investigation by the Windsor Police Service. Windsor Star"Enough is enough" for FNUC students
Over 20 First Nations University of Canada students gathered for a noon-hour rally Tuesday to express their frustration over ongoing turmoil at the school. One student says the recent firing of the vice-president of academics is "another black eye" for the institution, while another says governance problems creates a lot of stress for students. The Canadian Association of University Teachers, which censured FNUC late last year, says the school needs a smaller, depoliticized board of governors, and it is up to the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations to make those changes. Regina Leader-Post | CBC
