Top Ten
April 5, 2010
Panel struck to deal with McMaster business school crisis
McMaster University has struck a 3-member panel tasked with resolving a conflict in the institution's business school, where faculty have been divided on the issue of dean Paul Bates' leadership. One faculty group accuses Bates of high-handed management, while the other believes he has been unfairly targeted. The dean will continue in his position and is expected to work in consultation with the panel. McMaster's faculty association says the resolution process is already compromised if Bates remains as dean while the panel does its work. The panel is expected to bring forward recommendations by late August. Hamilton SpectatorFuture of Queen's law library uncertain
The head law librarian at Queen's University says the institution may lose its law library if cuts to the school's library system continue. The librarian says 16 library staff positions have been cut since 2004-05, and she anticipates more cuts in the future. The librarian says one option that has been discussed is to centralize the functions of staff at the 6 libraries at Queen's, which she says could potentially hurt the Lederman Law Library. Queen's Journal (student newspaper)
Postscript: Apr 7, 2010
In a letter to the Queen's Journal on its article on the law library at Queen's University, the school's head librarian writes that the pressures of budget constraints are felt across the whole library system. He states that all library units are working together to streamline purchasing, cataloguing, and operational activities in order to maintain public services tailored to meet the needs of users across all disciplines. Read the letter
uSask committed to distance ed despite budget cuts
University of Saskatchewan officials say the province's decision to remove over $1 million from technology-enhanced learning programs at the university should not affect distance learning in the province. Specific funds for technology-enhanced learning were absent in the province's latest budget. The technology-enhanced learning budget line was launched over a decade ago to help post-secondary schools in Saskatchewan expand their online and distance offerings. The province's advanced education minister says technology-enhanced learning is now a normal part of operations, therefore a separate funding line is not needed. uSask's vice-provost of teaching and learning says funding in this area at the university will be determined in mid-May. Saskatoon Star-PhoenixYork U student under hate-crime probe no longer at university
York University's media relations director told the National Post that a student under police investigation for allegedly posting anti-Semitic content online is no longer at the institution as a result of action taken by York U. The university had already suspended the student and ordered him to appear before a tribunal. The school's action against the student was not the result of a student conduct panel that had convened recently. National PostVandals damage Camosun gym
Saanich police report that vandals caused close to $10,000 worth of damage Sunday to the Pacific Institute for Sports Excellence at Camosun College's Interurban campus. Police discovered the damage around 9:45 a.m. after someone called to report a break-and-enter that occurred earlier in the morning. 5 large exterior double-pane windows were smashed, and 2 inside panels were shattered. Police say nothing was stolen, but the gym will need an extensive clean-up. Victoria Times-ColonistFNUC appoints interim president
Shauneen Pete, fired from her position as First Nations University of Canada's vice-president of academics last year, has returned to the institution to serve a 6-month term as president. Pete has been a visible supporter of FNUC, joining students and staff as they marched to the provincial legislature in February and March. Pete plans to spend the next 6 months working with others to get federal funding restored for the institution. Regina Leader-Post
