Top Ten
November 21, 2011
Alberta Bible college contacts RCMP about allegations of abuse
Prairie Bible Institute, based in Three Hills, Alberta, has contacted the RCMP about claims of abuse dating back several decades. The institute says the allegations were made by individuals connected with the school who are no longer based there. The college says it has turned over a file containing many of the allegations to the RCMP and that it will fully co-operate with any further investigation. The RCMP says it cannot open an investigation into abuse claims until victims come forward. Prairie Bible Institute News | Calgary Herald | CBC | Canadian Press
uToronto launches $2-billion fundraising campaign
On Sunday, the University of Toronto unveiled its $2-billion "Boundless" fundraising campaign, the largest fundraising initiative in Canadian university history. The campaign has 2 central pillars: preparing global citizens and meeting global challenges. uToronto has so far secured $966 million toward its goal. The institution's previous campaign, which closed in December 2003, raised $1 billion and remains the most successful campaign in the country's history. uToronto News
Without funding increase, more cuts likely at Capilano U
Capilano University and its students say the BC government needs to increase post-secondary funding or further cuts are inevitable. "We're not even getting basic inflation," says Capilano U's VP of finance and administration, whose institution receives less per-student funding than all but 3 of BC's 25 PSE schools. Capilano's student union has partnered with peers at other institutions in a campaign pushing for increased operating funding, an upfront-grants program, and the elimination of interest on student loans. BC's advanced education minister admits Capilano U's funding is "still lower, yes," but says the difference is not significant. Part of the difference is based on the types of courses offered, she says. The minister also says there are no plans to change the grants and student loan programs. North Shore News
Granting agencies now require applicants to provide Consent to Disclosure of Personal Information
The federal granting agencies announced Thursday that they will now require all researchers applying for funding to provide a Consent to Disclosure of Personal Information, allowing them, in instances of a serious breach of agency policy and subject to applicable laws, to publicly release the researcher's name, the nature of the breach, the name of institution where the researcher was employed at the time of the breach, and the name of the institution where the researcher is currently employed. In deciding whether a breach is serious, the agency will examine the extent to which the breach jeopardizes public safety or would bring the conduct of research into disrepute. Tri-Agency Statement
uSask, SIAST expanding services to improve success for Aboriginal students
To forge closer ties with Aboriginal communities, this year the University of Saskatchewan opened a satellite office at English River First Nation, where prospective students can learn about university programs without having to trek to the main campus. Next September, uSask will introduce a comprehensive program to help first-year students adapt to post-secondary life in the hopes they will succeed from the outset. In 2008, the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology pledged to spend $5.5 million by 2015 on new courses, transition programs, and partnerships with the goal to improve student success. This year SIAST hired 6 more Aboriginal advisers, expanded a summer transition program, and pledged to introduce curricular changes that include an Aboriginal perspective. To improve the pipeline to PSE, institutions are working with the elementary and high school systems. For example, the Kamskénow project is a collaboration between uSask and the Saskatoon Public Schools, with funding from business, to bring top-quality science and math lessons to inner-city schools with a high proportion of Aboriginal students. The Chronicle of Higher Education (subscription required)
uLaval celebrates new location in Montreal
On Thursday, Université Laval inaugurated its new premises in Montreal, where the institution has had a presence since 1999. The new location brings together the activities of the Adult Admissions, Prerequisite Courses and Non-Degree Studies Office, the Université Laval Foundation, the Alumni Association, and the Student Recruitment Office under one roof. Approximately 1,600 students based in the Montreal region can now take courses offered in the 10 classrooms of the Adult Admissions, Prerequisite Courses and Non-Degree Studies Office each year. uLaval News Release (in French)
New SFU scholarship program designed to attract top Indian students
Starting next year, Simon Fraser University will offer the SFU India Entrance Scholarship, which will provide a top Delhi Public Schools (DPS) graduate with $10,000 to help with tuition fees and other expenses. The annual scholarship requires a minimum 95% academic average. The university is exploring 2 other initiatives with DPS. One would create an annual major entrance scholarship recognizing high academic standing as well as a commitment to school and community service, leadership, volunteer activity, the arts and/or athletics. The other would establish a summer institute to provide high school students opportunities to spend several weeks at SFU, living in residence and taking part in activities inside and outside the classroom. SFU News Release
Which Canadian MBA program leads to the biggest pay raise?
According to Canadian Business, that would be the one at McGill University's Desautels Faculty of Management, whose graduates saw their salary increase by 129% on an entering salary of $49,000 to $112,000 in 2011. The other MBA programs on the magazine's list are those offered at Dal (103% increase in salary -- $33,000 to $67,000), McMaster (91% increase from $34,600 to $66,002), York U (83% increase from $48,700 to $89,000), uSask (80% from $40,000 to $72,000), uCalgary (79% from $50,535 to $90,242), UBC (73% from $45,000 to $78,000), HEC Montréal (65% from $58,483 to $96,604), Brock (64% from $38,571 to $63,318), and Concordia (62% from $45,000 to $72,707). Canadian Business
Nunavut Arctic College offers free online course
In co-operation with the University of the Arctic, Nunavut Arctic College is making its "Introduction to the Circumpolar World" course available online for free to residents of the territory. The college offered the course last year at a cost, and it now wants to see if that prevented anyone from taking the class. "Introduction to the Circumpolar World" is a first-year university level course and is the prerequisite for taking further UArctic courses in circumpolar studies. Founded in 2001, UArctic is a collaboration of 120 post-secondary institutions worldwide. Earlier this year, the Canadian government cut three-quarters of its funding to UArctic. CBC
Penn State merchandise sales plummet amid sex abuse scandal
Part of the immediate fallout from the ongoing investigation into child molestation at Pennsylvania State University is economic, as sales of university merchandise have dropped about 40% compared to the same time last year, according to retailers and industry analysts. College-branded merchandise account for over $4 billion in annual retail sales, and Penn State typically sits in the top 10 in sales, garnering approximately $80 million a year, says one industry analyst. For the week after the scandal broke, Penn State's portion of the market share was about 1.93%, down from 2.67% during the same week last year. The Associated Press reports that if consumers keep expressing displeasure with their wallets, it could lead to financial losses to add to Penn State's newly damaged reputation. Associated Press
