Top Ten
June 30, 2017
CEGEPs see increased enrolment in remedial courses
The number of CEGEP students enrolled in French remedial courses continues to increase, according to Journal de Montréal. The article states that the number of students enrolled in a French upgrade course at a CEGEP increased by 8% from 2014 to 2015, while the overall enrolment decreased by 0.3%. Judith Laurier, Director of Communications at the Fédération des cégeps, explains that the increase may be partly due to enrolment trends that have seen a significant increase in the number of students with special needs and learning disabilities enrolling, the number of adults returning to CEGEPs, and the growing importance of CEGEPs in mastering French. Journal de Montréal
Mohawk, Hamilton, Burlington partner to combat climate change
Mohawk College is partnering with the cities of Hamilton and Burlington in Ontario to make the region into the “gold standard” for a low-carbon economy. To this end, the partners will establish the Centre for Climate Change Management at the Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation at Mohawk’s Fennell campus. The centre will be focused on climate change management and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. “The climate change issues are going to be significant and they are something we are going to have to deal with at a local level,” said Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger. “So our partnership on a local level, where most of the services are being delivered, is going to be critically important.” Mohawk | The Spec
Brescia receives $1M for women’s education from founding organization
Brescia University College received a $1M gift, the single largest donation in the institution's history, from the Ursuline Sisters of Chatham in Ontario. The donation will establish the Ursuline Sisters Chatham Legacy Fund, a flexible endowed fund that will allow the university to support projects that enhance the educational experience. “I am humbled by the Sisters’ extraordinary generosity and I sincerely appreciate their recognition of the ever changing needs and priorities of post-secondary education,” says Brescia Principal Susan Mumm. “The Ursulines’ remarkable foresight to provide this level of flexibility is truly unique and positions Brescia well as we look to our next 100 years of educating women to lead with wisdom, justice and compassion.” The Ursuline Sisters founded Brescia in 1919. Brescia | Western
UBC MOA receives $3M for exhibition equipment, public education centre
The University of British Columbia’s Museum of Anthropology has received $3M in funding from the federal government to purchase and install state-of-the-art exhibition equipmentin order to showcase 230 historic and contemporary pieces of Indigenous art from the Northwest Coast. The funding will also go towards the construction of a new public education centre that will include a 144-seat professional theatre, a green room, washrooms, and a multi-purpose space. “The Museum of Anthropology has a long-standing commitment to collaborating with Indigenous artists and community members,” said MOA Director Anthony Shelton. “MOA is grateful for this generous funding from Canadian Heritage, and we look forward to the opportunity to continue to amplify Indigenous voices through these new amenities.” UBC | Straight
MacEwan names new building Allard Hall
MacEwan University has announced that the newest building on the university’s City Centre Campus will be named Allard Hall in honour of a recent $2.5M gift from the Allard family. The gift will also be used to provide scholarships and bursaries for students in the School of Business and Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications. “Allard Hall will provide the means to create well-rounded, future-ready students in visual and performing arts, Design Studies, and Arts and Cultural Management,” said MacEwan President David Atkinson. “The building also provides space for the university’s future growth.” The building’s official opening will be held in September 2017. MacEwan
CNA respiratory therapy program loses accreditation
First year admissions to the College of the North Atlantic’s respiratory therapy program have been suspended by the college after the program's accreditation was withdrawn. The Council on Accreditation for Respiratory Therapy Education placed the respiratory therapy program on a one-year probation in 2016, but found this year that not enough progress was made by the institution to keep the accreditation. “We are currently exploring the full impacts of CoARTE’s decision to withdraw our accreditation and how this will affect our current students and faculty members," said Bill Radford, CNA’s Senior Vice-President of Academic and Chief Learning Officer. CBC | CNA
Elsevier success shows "research is corporate asset," says scholarly publishing expert
Elsevier’s successful lawsuit against sites such as Sci-Hub, the Library of Genesis, and others sends a message that publicly funded research has become a “corporate asset and private property,” according to scholarly publishing expert and Public Knowledge Project founder John Willinsky. The websites reportedly provided unlawful access to millions of journal articles, and Elsevier's lawyers have said that the defendants’ “unlawful activities have caused and will continue to cause irreparable injury to Elsevier.” Willinsky further said that although Sci-Hub had committed a property crime, he believed that the academic community would view lack of access to journal articles as a greater concern than Elsevier's financial losses. Times Higher Education
Nipissing embarks on $2.1M turf field construction project
Nipissing University has announced that it is building a turf field that will be designed in accordance with FIFA standards in order to provide enhanced facilities for students and community members. “The new field will benefit the many students who utilize it for classes and intramural sports,” said Nipissing President Mike DeGagné. “It will also be an advantage for researchers in the Bachelor of Physical and Health Education program and will be a much-improved home for varsity soccer and lacrosse teams and fans. It will be also be available for youth sports, and adult leagues and can attract provincial championships.” The project has a $2.1M construction budget, and is expected to be completed in October. Nipissing
Trent receives gift of land for expansion from Oshawa
The City of Oshawa has donated 1.8 acres of land to Trent University Durham, which will enable the university to expand its Oshawa campus and program offerings. “With first-year student increases averaging 25 percent annually the current facility will soon be at capacity,” said Trent President Leo Groarke. “We are excited to plan for new academic and residential space to accommodate student demand in the Eastern GTA for September 2019.” The expansion plans include the construction of two new buildings: an academic building and a residence building with academic space on the first floor. Trent
MUN partners with Honeywell on $28M of energy saving infrastructure upgrades
Memorial University of Newfoundland has signed a $28M agreement with Honeywell to take on a number of infrastructure upgrades that will reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The project, phase two of an overall energy performance contract that began in 2008, reportedly aims to address $6M in deferred maintenance at the university and will be funded through energy savings. The agreement will see the institution receive new high-efficiency lighting; upgraded the heating, ventilation, and cooling systems; upgraded and optimised building system and equipment controls; and sealed air gaps in windows and doors. VOCM | MUN
