Top Ten
January 27, 2012
Suspected voyeur a concern for York U
A suspected voyeur has been spotted at York University for a third time this month. On Tuesday evening, campus security responded to a report of a male suspect in the women's washroom in the Steacie Building. The suspect fled the scene before their arrival. The incident was reported to Toronto police. The suspect's description in Tuesday's incident matches that of man allegedly lurking in women's washrooms in 2 previous incidents. The suspect's actions are nothing less than disturbing, says a York U spokesman. "It's disturbing, it's heinous, it's just plain wrong." The university has spent millions to improve campus security, investing in better lighting, more security personnel, and more security cameras. Still, the security issue York U has dealt with is one on many Canadian university campuses, says the spokesman. "This is not just a York campus issue, this is a North America-wide issue." Y-File | CBC
Stolen UVic hard drives found with a note from thieves
Some of the computer devices stolen from the University of Victoria earlier this month were recovered last week, accompanied by a repentant note from the thieves that police are finding hard to believe. A postal worker discovered the hard drives and other devices in a green garbage bag stuffed in a mailbox in the nearby suburb of Langford. In the bag was a note that said "the information in these bags was not copied, distributed or exploited." Police do not buy the apology in the note, saying most of the information on the hard drives was wiped clean, and the hard drive that contained most of the personal information was not recovered. Police believe at least 2 cases of bank fraud may have been connected to the theft, in which unencrypted banking information and social insurance numbers of up to 13,000 current and former UVic employees was taken. CBC | CTV
Conestoga celebrates new Cambridge campus
Friday marked the official opening of Conestoga College's newest campus in Cambridge, Ontario. Receiving a combined $72.3-million investment from the federal and provincial governments, the 260,000-square-foot campus is the main site for the college's School of Engineering and Information Technology, as well as the Institute for Food Processing Technology established by the Alliance of Ontario Food Processors. The campus will allow Conestoga to welcome more than 3,000 students studying to be technicians, technologists, and apprentices. Conestoga News
ACC opens Learning Curve and Cultural Centre at Parkland campus
Last Thursday, Manitoba-based Assiniboine Community College officially opened the Learning Curve and Cultural Centre at its Parkland campus in Dauphin. The centre is designed to provide students with a comfortable place to study and access to academic tools to enhance their learning experience. Students will be able to meet with tutors, study in groups, use computers, and use assistive technology for academic tasks. The Cultural Centre will encourage participation in cultural activities such as Elders' visits and craft sessions. ACC News
Work begins on new Algoma U residence
Workers began pouring concrete Friday for the foundations of a new 96-bed residence at Algoma University. Scheduled to open in September, the $8-million residence will bring the total number of beds in the university's residence buildings to 283. Algoma U is constructing a new residence in order to keep pace with the rising number of students who come to the institution from outside the region and even outside of Canada. In keeping with institutional practice, the new residence will consist entirely of single rooms, with one shared bathroom between every 2 rooms. Algoma U News Release
Cambrian considering bringing programming to downtown Sudbury
Appearing before Sudbury city council last week, Cambrian College president Sylvia Barnard said the institution is looking to create new programming it could offer downtown, taking advantage of growing opportunities there. One opportunity is to partner with Laurentian University's new architecture school to create an architectural technician program downtown. Cambrian is tendering out a feasibility study for such a school now, Barnard said. She also plans to meet with Laurentian to discuss ways the architecture school can partner with the college's new Sustainable Energy Centre. Sudbury Star
uSask study examines accessibility of university education
Irrespective of their income status, parents who lack a higher education are not likely to see their children pursue post-secondary studies, observes a University of Saskatchewan report that examined the accessibility of a university education in Canada and Saskatchewan. Much of the conversation about PSE accessibility has focused on tuition rates and other costs, but the report notes that non-financial barriers are key to understanding why some youth choose not to pursue PSE. Despite continuing increases in tuition and other education-related expenses, the overall cost incurred by the average student remains relatively unchanged as a result of increased tax credits, scholarships, bursaries, and other government initiatives, states the report. The study notes that while the financial-aid system is an important aspect of accessibility, there must be a focus on the 10- to 15-year-olds who demonstrate an academic aptitude and who do not come from a culture of PSE. uSask News Release | Accessibility and Affordability Report 2011
uLethbridge introduces official grad ring
The University of Lethbridge joins St. Francis Xavier University and Nova Scotia Agricultural College with the launch of an official graduation ring. Designed by a current fine arts student, the sterling silver ring features uLethbridge's traditional fiery sun emblem between the institution's moto, Fiat Lux. The president of the alumni association says the ring concept is one that all graduates can embrace, and that the ring's distinctive design will be a conversation starter. uLethbridge News Release
Mount Allison develops mobile app
Mount Allison University has launched a free mobile application that gives users access to the latest campus information on their iPhone, BlackBerry, or Google Android mobile device. Available for download at most mobile app stores, the app, called Datatel MOX™, offers access to important phone numbers, contact information, a GPS-enabled campus map, information about upcoming campus events, and campus news. Mount Allison News
State support for PSE institutions drops 7.6%
According to a new report, total state support for higher education in the US fell by 7.6% from the 2011 to the 2012 fiscal years. As a whole, state spending on PSE is now nearly 4% lower than it was in the 2007 fiscal year, with 29 states appropriating less for PSE institutions this year than they did 5 years ago. The current year's large decline was due partly to the expiration of approximately $40 billion in federal funding given to states to prop up education spending. Factoring out the federal stimulus funding, state support for institutions fell a little more than 4% from 2011 to 2012. The overall decline is also a result of the big drop in PSE spending in California, accounting for over a quarter of the total decrease in state support. The Chronicle of Higher Education (free access)
