September 25, 2009
Several post-secondary schools in Ontario have held groundbreaking ceremonies recently for projects that have received Knowledge Infrastructure Program funding. Last Thursday, the University of Waterloo began construction of the Engineering and Math Project expansion, which includes 2 new buildings to support research in areas such as green energy and computational intelligence. Also on Thursday, the University of Toronto at Scarborough broke ground for its Instructional Centre, which will increase the campus's academic facilities by 25%. On Friday, Sault College kicked off construction of a new academic wing, which will house the school's flagship aviation program. Conestoga College broke ground Friday for its new Cambridge campus, as well as for a training centre at its Waterloo campus.
Ontario News Release |
UTSC News |
Sault College News Release |
Waterloo Region Record About 50 fourth-year nursing students from the University of Alberta gathered at the Alberta legislature last Thursday to protest Alberta Health Service's freeze on hiring registered nurses. According to a recent poll the students conducted, 80% of 230 nursing students surveyed said they would leave the province to find a job. The students argue that Alberta is going to lose a generation of nurses, compounding an existing nursing shortage in the province.
Edmonton Journal |
Metro News In response to an "unprecedented number of complaints" from Algoma University students regarding the institution's new advertising campaign targeting Toronto-area students, Algoma's student union will be holding a town hall meeting today where students are invited to express their concerns. "Plan your escape" from your parents, the campaign advises, by visiting an institutional microsite. One ad with copy reading "Put 681 km between you and 'You're not going out in that!'" depicts a bare midriff. AUSU News Release | Sault Star | Experience Algoma University
Continuing Studies at the University of Western Ontario is reporting a 16% increase in registrations in personal development classes, as well as a 17% jump in enrolment in business and management courses. Registration in post-degree programs, which include a practicum component and appear on a university transcript, has risen by 83%. The enrolment growth is being attributed to the economic downturn, word-of-mouth that such educational opportunities are available, and changing attitudes towards lifelong learning.
Western NewsOn Friday, the University of Saskatchewan's Western College of Veterinary Medicine welcomed 77 students to its 4-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program. The Class of 2013 is the largest first-year class in the college's history. The class will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and a wide range of resources during their training, as the vet college recently completed a $71-million expansion and renovation project.
uSask News ReleaseLethbridge College recently added its signature to the Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability, developed by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges. The protocol asks signatory institutions to establish a sustainability policy, integrate the principles of sustainability within curriculum, and participate in sustainability networks and consortia. Over 30 institutions across the country have signed the agreement.
Lethbridge College News ReleaseSimon Fraser University sports teams will compete in Division II of the
National Collegiate Athletics Association next fall -- a year earlier than originally planned. SFU had prepared to join the NCAA in the 2011-12 season, but that changed after Canada West placed the institution on
probation this year. SFU's athletic director says joining the NCAA will save the university money in travel and membership fees.
Vancouver Sun |
Canadian PressThe University of Ottawa recently introduced uoMobile, a version of the institution's website designed for Internet-enabled smartphones. Through uoMobile, which was developed in both English and French, users can consult uOttawa's calendar of events, request application and program information, access a personal course schedule and map, and obtain times and routes for the university's shuttle bus system. The uoMobile homepage includes a real-time announcements and alerts feeds. Earlier this month, the University of Prince Edward Island launched a mobile phone-friendly version of its wbesite called
UPEI Mobile.
uOttawa NewsIn a recent survey of American college-bound high school seniors, distance from home is not a particularly influential driver in a student's decision to either apply or attend a particular school. Nearly 16% of respondents said their parents wanted them to live at home, while 6.5% said they wanted to live at home. Nearly half of students surveyed said they applied to colleges over 250 miles away. In the end, 58% chose to attend institutions within one to 2 hour's drive from home. Another 18% reported they would attend schools within a 4-hour drive. Close to 24% said their college was more than 250 miles away.
The Chronicle of Higher Education (subscription required) |
Read the surveyIn a survey published last Wednesday in the
Journal of the American Medical Association, 47 of the 78 responding medical deans said they were aware of students posting unprofessional content online. Use of profanity, discriminatory language, depiction of intoxication, and sexually suggestive material were commonly reported. 38% of deans surveyed said their schools had policies covering student-posted online content.
Associated Press |
CBC |
Read the survey abstract
