Top Ten
November 24, 2016
CBU president placed on leave pending investigation
Cape Breton University President David Wheeler has been placed on paid leave pending an independent investigation into governance issues, reports CBC. CBU Board Chair Ambrose White commented that “as stewards responsible for ensuring the management and operation of Cape Breton University’s administrative and academic actions, the Board of Governors takes this duty very seriously and did not make these decisions lightly.” Wheeler’s lawyer has said that the investigation is related to recent labour negotiations at the university, and asserts that the investigation will show that Wheeler “was acting in a way that was consistent with his oath of office, board of governors policies and bylaws and the agreed direction of the university.” A CBU release reports that the investigation outcome is expected to be delivered next month, and that Vice-President Academic Dale Keefe has been appointed as the school’s Acting President. CBU | CBC | Chronicle Herald
Polytechnique Montréal officially opens laboratory
Polytechnique Montréal has announced the official opening of the Laboratoire d'enseignement des systèmes intégrés en aérospatiale du Québec. The polytechnique and Concordia University have each committed to an annual contribution of $75K to run the LESIAQ, a 10,000 square-foot laboratory with a genuine integrated test bed for a Bombardier Challenger 300 business aircraft, a simulation platform, and the test cell of a Bell 427 helicopter. “Very few laboratories dedicated to teaching aerospace technologies enjoy such full-scale platforms,” said Polytechnique CEO Christophe Guy. “LESIAQ’s focus on integration is unique. For Polytechnique, whose leadership in Québec in matters pertaining to training and research in aerospace engineering is widely recognized, this lab is yet another asset.” Polytechnique
George Brown signs articulation agreements with IADT, Politecnico di Milano
George Brown College and the Institute of Art, Design, and Technology in Dùn Laoghaire, Ireland have signed an articulation agreement that will allow graduates of George Brown’s postgraduate Interdisciplinary Design Strategy program to pursue a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Design Strategies at IADT. “The creation of this opportunity is a significant announcement – not only for us, but for a Canadian college,” said George Brown President Anne Sado. “Giving our graduates a direct pathway to a ‘next-level’ credential here at IADT streamlines their academic journey and gives them a fantastic opportunity to study abroad in this outstanding academic setting.” George Brown also reports that it signed an articulation agreement with Politecnico di Milano in Milan, Italy to pave the way for future collaboration. George Brown
MRU and Alberta Parks partnership creates groundwork for future of stewardship
Mount Royal University and Alberta Parks partnered on what MRU calls a “first-of-its-kind collaborative effort” that has seen the two parties participate in a nationwide leadership course to establish the groundwork for future efforts to help connect people with nature. The project saw three students hired to play an integral part in the implementation of the course. “Alberta Parks is committed to evidence-based decision-making, but that means we need to have some strategy,” explained Don Carruthers Den Hoed, East Kananaskis area manager with Alberta Environment and Parks. “We need to engage with academics and institutes. It all tied in really nicely to what is happening at Mount Royal and other institutes who are saying, ‘we have great research, but we want to make sure it’s practical and that we’re tying it to real needs.’” MRU
UWindsor opens social work building in downtown Windsor
The University of Windsor has officially opened its social work building downtown, which is reportedly the university’s first major expansion into Windsor’s downtown core. CBC reports that moving the social work program into the downtown is anticipated to enable students to help revitalize the area. UWindsor President Alan Wildeman stated that if a university is to be relevant to the world, it must be relevant in the neighbourhood. “It is for that reason that the University of Windsor made the decision to strike a new direction for its long-term future,” added Wildeman, “a direction that would see it establish a presence in the heart of our city for academic programs that underscore the relevance to our community that we seek to strengthen.” CBC | uWindsor
Queen’s looking into report of costume party
A costume party that allegedly included costumes perpetuating racist stereotypes has been condemned by student leaders at Queen’s University and is being looked into by the school’s administration. Queen’s Principal Daniel Woolf issued a release stating that the event did not appear to have occurred on campus, and that the university would not sanction an event of this kind. Woolf writes, however, that “we are taking the matter very seriously, and continue to look into it.” The student government has stated that it will use the party as an opportunity to discuss race and racism at the university. Queen's (Principal’s Statement) | Medicine Hat News (CP)
uSask students, faculty will be protected from funding cuts
The University of Saskatchewan has stated that students and faculty will be safe from a $5M cut to provincial government grants. “We understand the financial pressures that the province is under … We do have some reserves that we’ll draw on, but obviously, not welcome news,” stated uSask Provost Michael Atkinson. “We’re going to make sure our students aren’t impacted and obviously we have our obligations to our bargaining units and we have to pay their salaries and benefits, so we have to find these funds, assuming this is a one-time reduction. A mid-year adjustment like this is a bit of a shock to us.” The Star Phoenix goes on to summarize the funding cuts faced by other SK-based postsecondary institutions. The Star Phoenix
Okanagan Penticton campus begins building $1.2M daycare facility
Okanagan College’s Penticton Campus has broken ground for a new $1.2M day care facility that is being developed in part through a $500K child care major capital grant from the BC government, as well as support from Okanagan and its students. The daycare is anticipated to be completed in 2017, and will be run by PDCRS. “The new child care centre will benefit the community, but is also a major benefit to our students and staff,” explains Okanagan President Jim Hamilton. “The survey that was part of the business case for the daycare clearly identified the need for this. We also know that even when our campus is less busy in the summer months, there will be demand for the daycare because of the increase in activity in the tourism and hospitality sector.” Okanagan
StatsCan examines trends in Canadian PSE enrolments from 2014/2015 year
Enrolments at Canadian public postsecondary institutions rose to over 2 M in the 2014/2015 school year, reports StatsCan, marking a 0.3% increase from the previous year. StatsCan notes that four provinces and two territories saw increased enrolments, with particular increases in both Ontario and Quebec. The article further points out that international student enrolments rose 11.4%, and observes that the majority of these students attended an institution in Ontario, Quebec, or British Columbia. The article goes on to discuss various trends noted in the enrolment data, including those in certification and program choice. StatsCan
YorkU officially renames degree program at request of student, faculty, alumni
York University has officially renamed the Bachelor of Administrative Studies as the Bachelor of Commerce. YorkU reports a petition with over 3,000 signatures from YorkU Students and Alumni created the “final momentum” for the change. “With the creation of the BCom degree, we will be ensuring that our students, who are graduating into a highly competitive global workplace, are provided with a degree that is clearly understood locally and internationally,” said Ananya Mukherjee-Reed, Dean, Faculty of LAPS. “The BCom represents the aspirations of our alumni and students more closely, and we are delighted that this change can help to achieve their goals.” The current program and details such as the associated credits, courses, GPA requirements, and professional accreditations will reportedly remain the same. YorkU
