Top Ten
August 4, 2017
YorkU, Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic partner on counselling services
York University’s Sexual Violence Response Office and the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic have partnered to provide enhanced access to personal counselling services to community members who experienced sexual violence while registered and/or employed at YorkU. “When it comes to supporting community members who have experienced sexual violence, we work from a survivor-centric model. York University has made a commitment to strengthen community supports and resources and today’s announcement represents very important progress,” said Debbie Hansen, Executive Director of YorkU’s Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support & Education. The clinic will provide access to personal counselling for up to 10 one-hour sessions to each member referred for services, and YorkU states that it will continue to provide supports and services for affected community members. York
ULaval expands pharmacy PhD cohort after error in admissions process
An error in the admissions process for Université Laval’s pharmacy PhD program will see the institution offer an additional twenty places in its courses in September, says La Presse. Twenty candidates were erroneously offered a position in the pharmacy program before superior candidates received an offer, and the university opted to add twenty spots instead of withdrawing the offers it had made. ULaval Pharmacy Dean Jean Lefebvre explained that the error stemmed from a new data processing procedure that was introduced this year, and that the university is currently investigating whether the mistake was the result of human or computer error. La Presse
Langara launches Sexual Respect Ambassador pilot program
Langara College has developed and launched a Sexual Respect Ambassador Program for employees that it plans to pilot for one year. The program is intended to support Langara’s Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policy, and will recruit and train faculty and staff on how to prevent and respond to sexual violence and misconduct. “So far, we have received positive feedback about the program, and I think this is indicative of the respectful culture that Langara has fostered over the years,” said Langara Vice-President of People Services Dawn Palmer. “I’d like to thank the Sexual Violence and Prevention Committee for all of their work in making this initiative come to life.” Langara
Tailor your cover letter to stay out of the reject pile
To improve the odds of getting an interview and make the process easier for a search committee, Rob Jenkins recommends taking the time to tailor “the single most important” document in a job application: the cover letter. At the “macro” level, the author recommends ensuring that the letter suits the institution being applied to in order to show the search committee that the applicant understands the institution's focus and agrees with the institutional mission. At the “micro” level, Jenkins emphasizes the importance of writing the letter to the specific institution, writing to the qualifications and duties referenced in the job posting, and ensuring that the format and tone are appropriate. Chronicle Vitae
UQÀM offers leadership course for Indigenous women
Band councillors, social workers, and other Indigenous women from across Quebec are taking part in a two-week course at the Université du Québec à Montréal on the theme of Aboriginal governance for women. The course is an initiative that was taken on by a partnership between Femmes autochtones du Québec, UQÀM's Service aux collectivités, and UQÀM's Faculté de science politique et droit. CTV News reports that the course teaches leadership skills through an examination of “historic female roles in native society.” Lecturer Isabelle Picard says that the course examines female roles in various spheres “to talk about the realities and the issues that the women are facing as leaders, as councillors, or chiefs in their communities.” CTV News | UQAM
URegina to borrow nearly $37M for renovation
The University of Regina has received permission from Saskatchewan's Ministry of Advanced Education to borrow almost $37M for its College West renovation, reports the Regina Leader-Post. “Basically we took it back to the bare structural bones of the building and we’re renewing it totally, every part of it,” said URegina Vice-President (Administration) Dave Button. The renovations include renewed plumbing, electrical, heating and air-conditioning, ventilation, roofing, walls, and windows. The article points to URegina’s difficulties in budgeting for its 2017-2018 year due to funding cuts, however, Button says that the operating budget challenges are not related to the infrastructure project. Regina Leader-Post
Nipissing hopes for program development funding through Strategic Mandate Agreement
Nipissing University reportedly hopes that its three-year Strategic Mandate Agreement, which is being developed with the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities, will see the institution receive funding for program development. The agreement “defines how the government will support us going forward, and it is right on with all of our expectations,” explains Nipissing President Michael DeGagne, who adds that the institution would also be looking at a Northern grant in the future. The article states that Nipissing expects to hear back from the ministry in about a month’s time. BayToday.ca
ACC offers electrician training program for off-reserve First Nations, Métis, Inuit students
Assiniboine Community College will be offering an Applied Electrical Installation program that is designed for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students who live off-reserve. “Our Indigenous partners often express that there is a need for trades training targeted to their communities,” said ACC’s chair of contract training, Lorraine Johnson. The program will include a broad base of theoretical and hands-on training and has been accredited by Apprenticeship Manitoba. The Brandon Sun states that the program was funded by the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples. Brandon Sun
OCADU, ROM partner to showcase Indigenous culture and history
OCAD University has announced a collaboration with the Royal Ontario Museum to showcase Indigenous culture and history. The collaboration will allow students from OCADU’s Indigenous Visual Culture program to explore and share cultural objects from the ROM’s Indigenous Ontario collection, and will see the creation of an interactive online learning environment. “We are very pleased to participate in this important collaboration with the Royal Ontario Museum that will further widen participants' understanding of Indigenous history and knowledge,” said OCADU President Sara Diamond. “The project is aligned with OCAD University's deep commitment to be inclusive of Indigenous culture and knowledge.” OCADU
Campus administrators need a new argument for higher education
When defending the purpose of higher education in an era of growing doubts, institutional leaders must acknowledge increasing demands from students and families for postsecondary education and training that prepares them for career success. “We have to prove that we not only educate and [build] discipline, but also that we allow students to articulate, write and communicate, apply quantitative methods and technology, and work in a collaborative setting,” says former US college president Brian Mitchell. The article reflects on student motivations in applying to postsecondary schools, as well as stakeholder opinions, and how these lead to a need for a more practical argument for higher education. Inside Higher Ed
