Top Ten
November 25, 2016
Steven Galloway breaks silence on departure from UBC
Author Steven Galloway has made a public statement for the first time since his firing from the University of British Columbia. Galloway was once head of the creative writing program at UBC, but was fired over what administration officials deemed to be “serious allegations” against him. Yesterday, Galloway’s lawyer released a statement stating that his client had engaged in an affair with a student, yet added that Galloway was cleared of sexual assault charges by a judge. The statement adds that Galloway “profoundly regrets his conduct and wishes to apologize for the harm it has caused. He does not seek to minimize it or hide from it. He seeks fair treatment for all involved, and an end to the scurrilous assertions and accusations that have proliferated in the vacuum of information.” Vancouver Sun | Medicine Hat News | Montreal Gazette
QC auditor general criticizes CEGEP spending in report
The auditor general of Quebec has released a report stating that the province’s CEGEPs have improperly managed their contracts with suppliers. The report found that the final cost of contracts awarded by CEGEPs could exceed 85% of what was originally budgeted, and a contract’s period of work could exceed an original timetable by more than a year. Further, the auditor general found that several CEGEPs have split up work contracts to avoid going to tender. The report identified several other chronic issues with accounting records and criticized lax expenditure measures by institutional leaders. Yet Nicole Lefebvre, vice-president of CEGEP unions of the National Federation of Teachers of Quebec, argues that these issues are a consequence of budget cuts in recent years. “We know that there has been a loss of internal expertise,” she said. “There are not enough people to appropriately follow up within the administrative staff.” Montreal Gazette
Cambrian becomes first ON college to partner with NCTR
Cambrian College has reportedly become the first college in Ontario to partner with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba. The agreement will see the college assist the NCTR in its mandate to preserve the memory of Canada's residential school system by archiving photos, video, government documents, church records, and 7,000 survivor statements gathered by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Shawn Poland, Cambrian's associate vice-president of strategic enrolment and college advancement, characterized the agreement as the beginning of a “long, important and transformational relationship” between the college and the NCTR. UManitoba | Sudbury Star | CBC
Canada and NU invest in infrastructure at Nunavut Arctic College
Nunavut Arctic College will be able to build a new facility for students and community members thanks to a combined $29.5M investment from the Canadian and Nunavut governments. The new training facility will benefit those who are studying fisheries or learning about language and culture through the Inuktitut interpreter and translator and Inuit Studies programs, among other professional diploma and degree programs. “Education is a priority for the Government of Nunavut,” commented Nunavut Minister of Education Paul Quassa. “Investing in infrastructure for post-secondary education through the proposed expansion of the Nunatta Campus in Iqaluit is a tremendous addition to our capacity for delivering programs as we continue building a representative workforce.” Canada | NU
McMaster launches PhD in Labour Studies
McMaster University has launched a PhD in Labour Studies, which the school states is the only degree of its kind in North America. The interdisciplinary program focuses on a critical and close engagement with issues of work and labour in contemporary and historical perspectives, and aims to develop scholars who can contribute to research leadership in the academy, community, policy arenas, and organizations that represent working people. “This is a very exciting time for us in Labour Studies at McMaster,” says Robert Storey, Director of the School of Labour Studies. “Our new PhD helps cement our status as the premier place to study labour studies in Canada.” McMaster
New website asks students to identify professors who espouse “anti-American values”
A new website based in the United States is asking students to “expose and document” professors who “discriminate against conservative students, promote anti-American values and advance leftist propaganda in the classroom,” reports Inside Higher Ed. Launched this week, Professor Watchlist is an initiative of Turning Point USA, a group whose mission is to “identify, educate, train and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets and limited government.” IHE reports that the site has raised concerns about intimidation and freedom of speech, yet IHE contributor John Warner contends that the site poses little threat. Inside Higher Ed | Inside Higher Ed (Warner)
Canadore offers new International degree path to environmental, biotech grads
Canadore College has partnered with Ireland’s Institute of Technology Sligo to expand degree pathways for students graduating from its environmental and biotechnology technician programs. The agreement allows those holding a two-year diploma from Canadore’s environmental and biotechnology to gain advanced standing in IT Sligo’s BSc in environmental protection and BSc in biomedical science programs, with the ability to earn a degree with an additional two semesters of study. They are also eligible to study two more semesters to achieve a B.Sc. honours degree in either discipline. “At Canadore, we endeavour to provide our students with experiential learning, meaningful academic pathways to support their career aspirations and we complement them with learning opportunities to enhance world views that are beneficial to employers,” said Lisa McCool-Philbin, dean of Canadore College’s School of Environmental and Biotechnology Studies. Canadore
More professors working to show that entrepreneurship is indeed teachable
“Never has the old adage ‘Those who can’t do, teach’ been so wrong,” writes Rosemary Counter for Maclean’s, adding that “across the country, entrepreneurs-turned-profs (and vice versa) are passionately walking the walk to inspire students to try a field where success is elusive.” The concept of teaching such a skill would have been considered radical only a few decades ago, Counter writes, when academics “weren’t even sure entrepreneurship could be taught, and if so, where it should fall within university curricula.” The author speaks with Patti Derbyshire of Mount Royal University and George Brown College’s Peter Widdis, both of whom have embraced the concept of teaching students the skill of entrepreneurship through project-based learning. Maclean’s
UBC alumni donate $2M to [email protected] seed fund
Technology entrepreneur Greg Peet and Tercon Group Founder Glenn Walsh, two alumni from the University of British Columbia, have donated $1M each to a seed fund run by [email protected] The program reportedly provides startup programs, industry mentorship, office and maker space, and seed funding to help members of the UBC community actualize and market their venture ideas. “Greg Peet’s and Glenn Walsh’s generosity enables [email protected]’s seed fund to drive innovation and job creation in B.C.,” said UBC President Prof. Santa J. Ono. “And this is just the beginning—we look forward to working even more closely with our partners to strengthen connections between research and industry.” UBC
Fleming partnership creates new pathways for student exchanges, degree completion
Fleming College has signed a comprehensive with IT Sligo in Ireland that provides pathways to a degree for 10 of the college's diploma programs. Fleming notes that this is the first time that graduates of its Carpentry Technician program have had a defined pathway to a degree. “IT Sligo and Fleming believe that the changing economic environment is based on knowledge that is international in scope,” said Maxine Mann, Dean of Fleming’s School of Trades and Technology and the School of Business. “These pathways acknowledge these changes and offer greater choice to our students to enter that flexible work environment. This MOU is also recognition of the quality of the diplomas offered at Fleming.” Fleming
