Top Ten
June 30, 2016
SK educator calls for ability to contribute tax directly to Indigenous education
A long-time Indigenous educator in Saskatchewan is calling on the province to create a “third tax option” that would allow Indigenous peoples living in urban settings to contribute directly to Indigenous education programs, writes the StarPhoenix. Shauneen Pete, executive lead on indigenization at the University of Regina, told the newspaper that she became concerned about the lack of investment in education in the most recent SK budget. “I am an urban First Nations person and I pay property taxes, because I am a property owner and I am not convinced public or separate education systems can adequately reduce the barriers for First Nations learners,” she said. “I want to be able to invest in First Nations education through a provincial tax system that opens this up as an option.” StarPhoenix
Colleges and universities accommodating applicants affected by Fort McMurray fires
Alberta colleges and universities have undertaken a number of initiatives to aid high school graduates impacted by the Fort McMurray wildfires who are currently applying to and preparing for PSE, reports the Canadian Press. These initiatives include relaxing admissions criteria and extending deadlines for applicable students. “The principle that we work from is that we do everything that we can to reduce anxiety and to ensure that students aren't penalized for circumstances that are beyond their control,” stated University of Alberta Registrar Lisa Collins. The CP article also recounts students’ experiences of receiving accommodations from institutions outside of Alberta. Huffington Post (CP)
Centennial joint program looks to pair undergrads, people with intellectual disabilities as roommates
“Finding a roommate who’s a good fit is a relief for most of us. For people with intellectual disabilities, it could be a lifeline,” writes Colleges and Institutes Canada. A feature article on CICan’s website explores the challenges and opportunities of “Friendly Housemates,” a joint program being developed by Centennial College researchers and Community Living Toronto that aims to pair people with an intellectual disability and undergraduate students in shared living arrangements. The project reportedly plans to use semi-structured interviews to identify best practices and what resources are needed to make the program a viable option to be adopted by PSE institutions across the country. CICan
UWinnipeg creates green investment fund, faces criticism from students
Representatives from the student group Divest UWinnipeg have criticized the school’s decision to pursue strategic alternatives to a full divestment from fossil fuels. The university has been consulting with the group for the past year. The group has asked the University of Winnipeg Foundation and pension board of trustees to end all investments in stocks and bonds of fossil fuel companies. This Monday, the school’s board of regents asked the foundation to instead create a responsible investment policy that applies environmental, social, and governance criteria. “The U of W's choice not to divest from fossil fuels represents a contradiction with its commitments to sustainability, Indigenization and, ultimately, reconciliation,” said UWinnipeg Student Association Preisdent Kevin Settee. UWinnipeg Senior Executive Officer Chris Minaker responded that the school “has adopted a balanced approach to the divestment issue which is consistent with actions taken by other universities in Canada.” Winnipeg Free Press | CBC
UCN midwifery students’ future unclear in wake of program stoppage
Students of the midwifery program at University College of the North have expressed dismay after learning that courses in the program will likely not be offered this fall, reports CBC. The 14 students say that they were told by the Manitoba government that funding for the program would be cut. “We've rearranged all of our professional lives. We've quit jobs and now we're left high and dry with nothing to show for it after a year,” said Jill Larner, a student who has finished the first year of the four-year program. An MB release states that the province is prepared to work with all stakeholders involved to establish a new educational pathway that will support UCN students in getting the level of training and experience required to be properly certified to work as midwives in the province. Winnipeg Free Press | CTV News | CBC | MB
George Brown launching six programs, including unique interpretation degree
George Brown College has announced that it will be launching six new programs in September 2016, including an Honours Bachelor of Interpretation (American Sign Language-English) degree that it states will be the first of its kind in Canada. This program will be offered through the School of Deaf and Deafblind studies, and was reportedly developed to address the growing demand for qualified Sign Language Interpreters in Canada. Other new programs include an Honours Bachelor of Behaviour Analysis, an Acting for Media diploma program, a one-year Media Foundations certificate program, a Visual Effects graduate certificate program, and a Concept Art for Entertainment graduate certificate program. George Brown
Trent introduces undergraduate residence rooms to downtown college
Trent University’s Catharine Parr Traill College will have residence rooms for first-year students as a result of growing enrollment and recommendations made in a recently released Traill College Review. The review included recommendations on developing Traill into an Interdisciplinary College that would host undergraduates as well as current graduate students, and having Traill act as a residential college. Trent President Leo Groarke applauded the review exercise as a great opportunity to debate the issues at hand, and described the review as “a guidepost as we reinvigorate Traill College in a way that allows it to make a unique contribution to Trent, and to the students and faculty that make it their community.” Trent | Traill Review
Canadore launching new post-production program, first post-production studio of its kind
Canadore College is launching a new post-production program in an effort to keep more film and television business in northern Ontario. “Right now, we have a booming film industry in North Bay, but it comes to an abrupt stop past the shooting stage,” said Canadore Interim Associate Dean of the School of Media and Dramatic Arts Yura Monestime. “Crews leave once the cameras stop rolling. This program will create a work force capable of putting the intricate puzzle of post-production together for television or cinema.” The college aims to build a full post-production studio that it states would be the “first and only facility to have coordinated services, resources, and emerging talent to see the project from seed to completion.” Canadore
Canada, Mexico commit to improving student mobility between countries
Canada and Mexico have announced their intention to create more opportunities for students to move between the countries, particularly through work-integrated learning experiences, reports Universities Canada. The announcement came after a town hall event in Ottawa this week, in which Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto spoke on the economic, social, and career benefits of international study. Universities Canada President Paul Davidson applauded the leaders, noting that “this commitment by the Canadian and Mexican governments will ensure that more students benefit from international experiences which not only help Canadians succeed in the global knowledge economy, but also contribute to building a more innovative, prosperous and inclusive Canada.” Universities Canada | Globe and Mail
COTR to offer full Bachelor of Nursing program
College of the Rockies has been granted the power to offer a full Bachelor of Nursing Program at its Cranbrook Campus. Since 2005, the college has offered a Bachelor of Nursing pathway in partnership with the University of Victoria, and COTR states that it is working with UVic to ensure a smooth transition of the entire four-year program to the college. Beginning this September, students entering their first or second year of the Bachelor will be able to complete the entire program at Cranbrook. “This is a terrific opportunity for the College, our students and our region,” said COTR’s Dean of Health and Human Services Heather Hepworth. “Not only can our students remain in the East Kootenays to complete their entire program but we can retain our graduates for employment in health care in the region.” COTR
