Top Ten
August 4, 2016
RRC student sues school after suffering attack at work placement
The Red River College student who was assaulted during a work placement is seeking damages from RRC and the Behavioural Health Foundation, claiming that both parties acted negligently by leaving her alone with dangerous offenders. Jackie Healey is seeking general damages, “punitive, exemplary and aggravated damages,” legal fees and interest, and “other relief as counsel may advise.” RRC is conducting its own investigation into the circumstances leading up to the attack and its work placement policies and procedures. The investigation is expected to be completed before the start of the new academic year. Winnipeg Free Press | CBC
SFU first Canadian research university to receives US accreditation
Simon Fraser University has been granted accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, reportedly making it “the first research university in Canada to be accredited in the United States.” SFU reports that this accreditation will provide significant benefits to the institution and its students, such as fostered relationships with American institutions, a boost to public confidence, and greater accountability through external assessments. The accreditation also reportedly helps to establish clear benchmarks for assessing educational goals and students’ learning experiences. SFU athletics will also be able to compete in the NCAA. SFU | The Province | Vancouver Sun
uMoncton nursing student accuses uMoncton of discrimination
CBC reports that a Université de Moncton nursing student is preparing an appeal and considering a human rights complaint after the institution allegedly failed to accommodate her learning disability. Brigid Stanford-Finnerty said she failed a clinical component of the program because she wasn’t given sufficient time. She further added that she was advised that faculty were not under obligation to provide her with accommodations during her clinical shifts and further pursuit of the complaint would allegedly see her removed from the program. The student federation commented that it has received more student complaints about the nursing department than any other faculty on campus. CBC
ON PSE institutions partner to form Northern Philanthropy Institute
Collège Boréal, Laurentian University, and Cambrian College have partnered to launch the Northern Philanthropy Institute, which will provide professional development opportunities to fundraising professionals in northeastern Ontario. The institute comes as part of a collaboration agreement between the three institutions that aims to foster excellence in learning and strengthen the region’s reputation as a centre for higher education. “Philanthropy is increasingly important in public sector organizations and non-profits,” said Laurentian Chief Advancement Officer Tracy MacLeod. “Through the Northern Philanthropy Institute, we will offer opportunities to develop and share best practices and policies in strategic fundraising.” Collège Boréal | Sudbury.com
Pro-life group at BrandonU fighting to regain club status
A group of pro-life students at Brandon University is suing the student union for withdrawing its club status last November. While the Brandon University Students Union would not comment on the group’s status, the Brandon University Students for Life states that its status was withdrawn due to a feeling of discomfort and intimidation among other students. According to the National Post, the club feels that it has been “marginalized, censored, and discriminated against by the BUSU.” The club will reportedly to be fighting to be reinstated on the grounds of campus policy that protects “free inquiry and open discussion of all issues.” National Post | CBC (CP)
Fanshawe launching unique programs in September
Fanshawe College has announced that it is launching a total of 11 new programs in September, of which two will be the first of their kind in Canada. These two programs include an advanced diploma in Fire Inspection and Fire Safety Education and a graduate certificate in Advanced Ergonomic Studies. Fanshawe President Peter Devlin commented that “Fanshawe remains committed to providing students with exceptional learning experiences and programming that position our graduates for employment success.” Fanshawe
uWinnipeg Faculty Association ratifies new collective agreement
Members of the University of Winnipeg Faculty Association (UWFA) have ratified a new collective agreement to remain in effect for four and a half years, from this past March until September 2020. The members voted 91% in favour of the contract. The agreement provides a 7.5% increase to UFWA salaries over the next 54 months and will see increases made to the yearly maximum pensionable earnings, pending the approval of the pension plan board of trustees. The association represents professors, librarians, coaches, athletic therapists, and counsellors from the institution. Winnipeg Free Press | uWinnipeg
Administrator reflects on the 13 lessons learned in management
In a reflection on his own experiences in a first management post, Fred Schwarzbach of the Chronicle of Higher Education discusses the 13 management lessons that he learned “the hard way.” These lessons include learning how to listen after a career as a professor, avoiding snap decisions, bringing solutions to supervisors instead of problems, and remembering that it is the students that all of management have in common. Schwarzbach concludes that one of the most important things is to ensure that you take the time for a hobby or life outside the office: “Your primary job, in fact, is to stay sane enough to respond to the madness on your desk.” Chronicle of Higher Education
UQAM cancels exchanges to Turkey
In light of the political situation in Turkey, the International Relations Service at Université du Québec à Montréal has announced that it is suspending student exchanges with the country for the 2016-2017 year. UQAM has also announced that, since Global Affairs Canada is recommending against non-essential travel to Turkey, students visiting the country will not be eligible for mobility grants. The release also points to Universities Canada’s recent statement on the situation in Turkey that expresses concerns about the treatment of thousands of academics in the country. UQAM | Universities Canada
Best practices for lecture capture across campus
As lecture capture increasingly becomes a student expectation, institutions are scaling up their technology and capacity in order to better record and share lectures with their students. Leila Meyer of Campus Technology discusses seven best practices around capturing and digitizing lectures across campus. These practices include automating the recording process, developing the technology and process in lecture halls before implementation in smaller classrooms, and ensuring that the institution has enough storage and processing to manage the video recordings. Campus Technology
