Top Ten
August 22, 2012
uWindsor law prof's human rights case against university begins
The University of Windsor vigorously denied accusations of discrimination as law professor Emily Carasco launched her human rights case against the institution Tuesday. In 2010 Carasco alleged in her human rights complaint that she did not get the job as dean of uWindsor's law school because the search committee did not want to hire a non-white woman. Carasco's lawyer told the tribunal that her client would have been hired as dean if a colleague of Carasco's had not raised a plagiarism allegation against her. Carasco is asking the tribunal to require uWindsor to fire the dean it has since hired and give her the position instead. "You have far-fetched allegations and no facts from which to infer discriminatory factors were at play," a uWindsor lawyer told the tribunal. "Nowhere in any of the massive fillings will you find any evidence of any action from any committee members that suggest they were adverse to racial minorities." The tribunal will hear evidence related to the search for a dean until August 30. Windsor Star
Acadia to announce measures to target students' high-risk drinking
As the one-year anniversary of an alcohol-related death of an Acadia University student approaches, institutional, local, and provincial officials are preparing to announce measures addressing drinking among students. At a news conference scheduled for August 30, Acadia, Town of Wolfville, and Nova Scotia public health representatives will describe their joint effort in tackling high-risk drinking among PSE students. An Acadia spokesman acknowledges that the university is "actively engaged off-campus, with the town," and says a concerted attempt is needed to combat alcohol abuse by new and returning students. Chronicle-Herald
Demonstration leads to class cancellation at Montreal CÉGEP
With students protesting outside as part of a Quebec-wide series of demonstrations, Collège Bois-de-Boulogne cancelled classes yesterday, reversing an earlier decision not to suspend classes. The Montreal CÉGEP stated that it was taking the step to "avoid any situation that might compromise personal safety." The college's students had voted last week to end their 5-month-long strike, but with a one-day exception for Wednesday to join a day of student protests across Quebec. Bois-de-Boulogne administrators, however, initially decided not to cancel classes and as a result were targeted by demonstrators. The CBC reports that approximately 43,000 PSE students are still participating in a general strike in Quebec, down from a peak of 150,000 in the spring, but not at any CÉGEPs, whose students have voted to return to school. CBC
Lethbridge College opens campus in Vulcan County
Lethbridge College announced yesterday the opening of a new rural campus in Alberta's Vulcan County. The campus became an official part of the college community earlier this summer through an agreement between the institution, the Vulcan Business Development Society, and the Vulcan County Adult Learning Council. The campus will be managed collaboratively by all the partners, who will determine and deliver relevant Lethbridge College programming directly in the community, using flexible delivery methods. Lethbridge College News Release
BC invests in NWCC facility upgrades, training seats
Northwest Community College students will benefit from improved and upgraded campus facilities with the help of $1.2 million in capital funding from the BC government. The province is also committing $839,000 in one-time funding to be used to offer short-term training in the region. NWCC expects to create seats in a number of trades-related fields throughout the college region over the coming year, including introduction to trades, mining skills, and possible alternative delivery of technical training for electrical and heavy duty mechanics. BC News Release
UTSC program prepares Chinese students for life in Canada
The University of Toronto Scarborough's Green Path program helps prepare students from mainland China for life as university students in Canada. The program recruits top students from secondary schools in mainland China to participate in an academic and ESL program that prepares them for undergraduate studies at uToronto. In addition to working on academic skills, the students also get help as they adapt to life in Canada. Green Path students live in UTSC residence for 12 weeks while participating in a range of social activities and fields trips to popular tourist sites. They also receive life-skill training, as well as information on personal safety, health services, and transit. Students get to experience the different classroom etiquette and teaching styles in Canada, including instructions on how to avoid plagiarism. Once students successfully complete Green Path, they go directly to first-year undergraduate studies at uToronto. This year, 196 students from 19 Chinese provinces participated in the program, and more than 900 students have participated since its inception in 2005. The program aims to expand beyond China into other nations in Asia and Europe. UTSC News
New Queen's app focuses on student safety
Queen's University students will now be able to access many of the institution's safety resources through a new mobile application called SeQure. The app's personal safety toolbox features a flashlight, an alarm, and the ability to send your location to someone or report suspicious activity. SeQure provides students with phone numbers for several services, including Health, Counselling and Disability Services, Kingston police, and Walkhome, at their fingertips. The app also includes a map of blue light locations on campus. Queen's News Centre
King's UC unveils redesigned website
This week The King's University College went live with a new-look website, whose homepage bears the tagline "The Little University with Big Degrees." Dominating the homepage is a large, rotating graphic banner highlighting news and events at the Edmonton-based institution. Above the banner are tabs that direct to faculty and program information, application services, and athletics pages. Through the homepage you can check out the institution's social media pages, read blog posts, book a campus visit, take a virtual campus tour, search the staff directory, and sign up for the institution's newsletter. The King's UC website
Google Street View team visits Mount Allison
A team from Google visited Mount Allison University Tuesday to take 360-degree pictures of the campus for inclusion in Google's Street View Project. "We're very excited about the Google Street View Project as it gives prospective students and their parents a unique view of the University from wherever they are," says a Mount Allison official. "No matter how much information students receive while they are doing their research into which university to attend, nothing beats walking around campus -- even if it is done via the web. You get to see the facilities and grounds that will be your home for the next four years." Mount Allison's campus was mapped with Google's Street View Trike, which allows the team to map larger areas that are accessible only by sidewalks and trails. The images should be available online within 6 to 12 months and can be found via Google Search or Google Maps. Mount Allison News Release
THE video contest wants to know what makes your university world-class
Times Higher Education is running a short-video contest open to anyone who studies or works at a university as part of the official launch of the World University Rankings 2012-13. The magazine is seeking 10-second video entries that complete the sentence: "My university is world-class because..." Videos may focus on any of the qualities at which a participating institution excels; these could include teaching, research, diversity, access, athletics, and social life. All eligible entries will be added to THE's YouTube channel, and the magazine plans to feature a small number of its favourites in its official rankings video. One winning submission will be selected by the rankings editor, and the filmmaker will receive an iPad. Times Higher Education
