Top Ten
April 18, 2017
Why campus sexual violence policies matter: McGill associate provost
A campus sexual violence policy can seem like a “naive and simplistic way of responding to the broad and complex challenge of sexual violence,” writes Angela Campbell, associate provost (equity & academic policies) and professor of law at McGill University. But the author argues that after helping develop such a policy, she believes that these policies “can have both symbolic and instrumental value” in creating safer campuses. Campbell explains that when a university adopts such a policy, it publicly recognizes its role in preventing and responding to sexual assault. Further, developing such a policy offers diverse groups the opportunity to contribute to the collective aim of preventing and responding to sexual violence. However, Campbell notes that even the most ambitious policies “cannot fully explain, theorize or contend with sexual violence, a subject that is inherently complex and fraught with underlying social challenges.” University Affairs
UWaterloo, Concordia, WLU top university publication efficiency rankings
Research Infosource Inc has released its rankings of Canadian universities based on their “publication efficiency,” a concept defined as “the ability of a university’s researchers to turn research income into peer-reviewed publications.” The rankings compared research income and research publication data at 43 of Canada’s top universities from 2005 to 2014, classifying institutions as high-research income, medium-research income, and low-research income. The University of Waterloo topped the high-research income group, while Concordia University led the medium-research income group, and Wilfrid Laurier University led the low-research income group. Research InfoSource
UCalgary education faculty sees spike in applications during oil downturn
The Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary says that it has seen a boom in applications from professionals who have been laid off from the oil sector. CBC reports that according to Werklund Associate Dean Dianne Gereluk, applications from aspiring teachers have grown 40% in the past 24 months. CBC adds that many of the individuals applying to the program include professional engineers and geophysicists. “What's different about this is that we see a number of individuals who are in mid-career change and an increase in applications partly because of the economic downturn in the province," says Gereluk. “The school districts are incredibly excited by the quality of future teachers that are coming in to these schools.” A number of the applicants reportedly hold master’s degrees, which has contributed to making education one of the most competitive faculties to enter at UCalgary. CBC
STU student offers $100 to anyone who can give her a successful job recommendation
St Thomas University student Andrea Robertson has taken an outside-the-box approach to finding a job after she graduates, reports CBC. The soon-to-be graduate has used social media to offer a $100 reward for any recommendation that leads to her finding a job. Robertson says that she first came up with the idea after speaking with her uncle about her fears for finding a job. Robert Burroughs, the executive director of the New Brunswick Student Alliance, says that anxieties like Robertson’s often stem from the misperception that there should be a direct link between PSE and the labour market, as well as a lack of understanding about the transferrability of skills learned in PSE. CBC
Campus Montréal initiative raises more than half a billion dollars for PSE in downtown Montréal
The Université de Montréal, HEC Montréal, and Polytechnique Montréal have raised nearly $581M through the combined efforts of their Campus Montréal fundraising campaign. Dubbed “the most ambitious fundraising campaign ever undertaken in the Francophone academic world,” the initiative aims to support major PSE projects in research, scholarships, infrastructure, and campus living. This fundraising campaign has already led to the creation of some thirty research chairs and funds in medicine, engineering, management, entrepreneurship, and human and social sciences. Montréal Mayor Denis Coderre praised the efforts of both the institutions and donors involved in helping the campaign surpass its $500M goal. Journal de Montréal | La Presse | HEC Montréal | uMontréal
UBC approves sexual misconduct policy, announces centralized offices
The University of British Columbia has approved a new sexual misconduct policy that will see the development of on-campus, centralized offices dedicated to preventing and responding to sexual violence. The Canadian Press reports that the policy was accepted last Thursday by the board of governors and will take effect in about a month. The policy covers a broad range of misconduct, including sexual assault, harassment, and stalking. UBC will also reportedly hire directors of investigation to review reports and refer them to external investigators. Globe and Mail (CP 1) | CBC (CP 2)
McMaster students push for LRT in Hamilton
McMaster University students are pushing for light rail transit in the city of Hamilton prior to further city council debates. McMaster Students Union Vice-president (Education) Blake Oliver launched the #yesLRT campaign, which called on McMaster students to write letters to city councillors and urge them to support LRT in Hamilton. “From pro-LRT groups, we’ve had a lot of great support,” noted Oliver. “On the flip side, people who are anti-LRT have the same types of arguments that you would expect, especially specific to students.” The Silhouette reports that McMaster students contributed $3.1M in revenue to HSR, the local transit system, in 2016. Global | The Silhouette
Cambrian, Laurentian sign diploma-degree pathway agreement
Students studying business at Cambrian College will now be able to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Laurentian University thanks to a new transfer agreement between the schools. The pathway program will guarantee the transfer of credits between the schools and will take students a little over four years if they complete a Cambrian diploma, or a little over five years if they pursue an advanced diploma. “Agreements like this mean that students don't have to choose between college and university,” says Cambrian Vice-President, Academic Jean Brown. “They can choose both and broaden their experience, contacts and networks by choosing programs that are complementary and offer them excellent value.” Sudbury Star
Conestoga launches Schlegel Centre for Advancing Seniors Care
Conestoga College has officially launched the Schlegel Centre for Advancing Seniors Care, a centre that will work to develop new education techniques, improve workforce development, and strengthen care practices to support care for seniors and their families. Operated in partnership with Schlegel Villages and the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging, the centre will serve as a hub for collaboration with partners to advance training and share best practices and resources. “We are grateful for the support provided by Schlegel Villages and our partners for the establishment of this important new resource as we work in collaboration to enhance the quality of life and care for Canada’s growing population of seniors and their families,” said Conestoga President John Tibbits. Conestoga
Why do so many politicians talk about training more welders?
“Welding: It’s a magnet for politicians who like to talk about the need to train students for jobs in high-demand fields,” writes Fernanda Zamudio-Suaréz for the Chronicle of Higher Education. But why, the author asks, has this field become such a flashpoint for discussions about the future of PSE? To begin, the author argues that politicians generally argue that welding is a prime example of a trade that provides people with well-paid jobs in an industry that has a shortage of skilled workers. Further, the trade is often used as a “jumping-off point” for discussions about more general skills gaps. The author notes, however, that much of the demand in welding often focuses on experienced welders and does not always apply to those who have recently completed their training. Chronicle of Higher Education
