Top Ten
December 1, 2010
Montreal CÉGEP suspends students over political pamphleteering
Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne is standing by its decision to suspend 2 students for distributing pamphlets publicizing a planned strike in April. The students were suspended for a week starting Monday under the CÉGEP's behaviour code, which prohibits activities that interfere with events organized by the school. The CÉGEP issued its first warning in March, when the suspended students were among those handing out pamphlets as the college was hosting new students writing French and English competency tests. The school says their pamphleteering might have affected parents' and students' decision to attend the college. The students again distributed anti-government pamphlets on October 20 during an open house. The students have hired a lawyer who has asked the CÉGEP to "suspend the suspensions" because they trample on the students' rights under the Canadian and Quebec charter of rights and freedoms. Montreal Gazette
New UPEI president could help draw more Middle Eastern students
University of Prince Edward Island officials and current students from the Middle East are hoping the university's new president will draw even more Arab students to the institution. President-designate Alaa S. Abd-El-Aziz is from Egypt, and he speaks Arabic, French, and English. "Having him come from Egypt, still having connections there, having done his first and second degrees there, it is undoubtedly going to open doors," says UPEI's vice-president academic. There are already over 100 students from the Middle East at UPEI, and the VP expects that number will rise. Arabic-speaking students are welcoming the idea of being able to speak with Abd-El-Aziz in their first language. CBC
NIC offers seniors free tuition
Canadian citizens and permanent residents of BC who are 65 and older are now eligible to enrol in university studies courses at North Island College without having to pay tuition. To be eligible for free tuition, seniors must present proof of age, meet all course prerequisites, pay all other associated fees, and register during the add/drop period at the beginning of each semester. NIC's director of student services says there has been great interest among ElderCollege members in taking credit courses. To facilitate enrolment, the college found a way to offer senior citizens access to credit courses for free without displacing fee-paying students. NIC News Release | Comox Valley Echo
Okanagan College to build $8-million community sports facility
Okanagan College and the Regional District of the North Okanagan announced Tuesday a new lease agreement that will allow both parties to move forward with plans to turn 10 acres of college land north of the Vernon campus into a $7.8-million multi-use sports facility, which would include an Olympic-sized rubberized track, an artificial playing field, and field houses for use by community groups, school track meets, and municipally-hosted events. Okanagan College president Jim Hamilton says the facility could allow the institution to add sporting programs to its curriculum. Okanagan College News Release | AM 1150
McGill considers changes to academic calendar
A McGill University student paper reports that a working group at the university is considering a number of changes to McGill's academic calendar, including a proposal to shorten the length of the fall and winter terms by reducing the number of hours students are in contact with their professors. Currently, standard classes at McGill give students 3 hours of contact with professors per week for 13 weeks, for a total of 39 hours per term. Any effort to reduce the number of contact hours would need extensive consultation between administration and university faculties and departments. McGill's deputy provost says there are many problems with shortening the semester, including concerns some faculties have with accreditation. McGill Tribune (student newspaper)
Sault College revives women's basketball
Sault College announced yesterday it will add women's basketball as a varsity sport starting in the 2011-12 academic year. A growing popularity of the sport in Sault Ste. Marie at the high school and club basketball level has allowed the college's athletics department to revitalize the program after a 6-year absence. Effective immediately, the department will begin conducting a search for a head coach to lead the program. The team will compete in the west region of the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association. Sault College News Release
New Douglas College ad campaign features QR codes
On Tuesday, Douglas College launched an advertising campaign that features QR codes. When scanned, the codes will take people instantly to the college's Facebook page or to a television commercial showing what the institution is like. Other Canadian post-secondary schools are incorporating QR technology in ad campaigns or other marketing material. Ryerson University's continuing education school is using QR codes in its new advertising campaign, while the University of Guelph's handbooks feature the technology. Douglas College News
Polytechnics Canada to host Science and Technology Showcase
On Friday, Polytechnics Canada will present its fifth annual Showcase on Research and Innovation at Algonquin College. The Showcase highlights the role played by polytechnic students in solving commercialization challenges by industry partners. This year's event includes projects between local businesses and Polytechnics Canada members. The event will include a keynote speech from Science and Technology Minister Gary Goodyear, who will present awards to the winning student researchers. Polytechnics Canada News Release
US study examines use of text messaging in class
According to a study from Pennsylvania-based Wilkes University, of the 269 students surveyed, 95% of respondents bring their cellphones to class every day and 91% have used their phone to send text messages during class time. Nearly half of all respondents indicated that it is easy to text in class without their professor being aware. 99% of students said they believe they should be permitted to retain their phones while in class, and 62% said they should be allowed to text in class as long as they don't disturb other students. About 10% of students surveyed reported they have sent or received texts during exams, and 3% admitted to transmitting exam information during the test. Wilkes U News
Google to open e-book store
Google Inc. is in the final stages of launching Google Editions, its long-awaited e-book retailing venture. Google Editions hopes to transform the existing e-book market by offering an open, "read anywhere" model that is different from many competitors. Users will be able to purchase books directly from Google or from multiple online retailers and add them to an online library tied to a Google account. Users will be able to access their account on most devices with a Web browser, such as personal computers, smartphones, and tablets. Wall Street Journal
