Top Ten
October 31, 2017
ACAD faces uncertain future, report warns
The Alberta College of Art and Design will need to make changes to remain financially sound, according to an internal report from the institution. “This year, we're doing very well,” said ACAD President Daniel Doz. “[But] if we don't work to address it now, in five years, in 10 years, then it will be a very big problem.” The institution’s revenues are reportedly being outpaced by inflation, and CBC reported that ACAD’s “financial puzzle” will depend on upcoming provincial legislation. Advanced Education Minister Marlin Schmidt said that the province is committed to making ACAD financially sustainable, and advised Alberta institutions to hold off on re-evaluating programs and sustainability plans until the new provincial legislation is unveiled by the end of 2017. CBC
MtA Music Department receives $1M for experiential learning
Mount Allison University’s Department of Music has received a $1M endowment from MtA alumni John and Judy Bragg to support performance and experiential learning opportunities for music students. The endowment will support student performance program and touring ensembles, bring guest artists and performers to campus, and improve on-campus music technology. It will also give students greater opportunities to perform on campus, as well as nationally and internationally, and will support an artist-in-residence of national or international stature. “Music and music education have always played an important role in my family,” says John Bragg, who has previously served as MtA’s Chancellor. “I am pleased to recognize Bragg Women in my family who have made lasting contributions to music education.” MtA
Finding and recovering job motivation
“If it’s starting to feel like an effort to do the work you have for a long time been happily undertaking, take a short time-out to consider the reasons why,” writes Natalie Lundsteen for Inside Higher Ed. Lundsteen uses the story of Lulu—a Labrador retriever that lost her interest in bomb-sniffing training—to discuss common causes and cures for career burnout. In particular, the article examines how taking a break; investigating other career paths; and taking the time to evaluate one’s own abilities, priorities, and vocational purpose can help determine why career motivation disappears and what steps can be taken to rejuvenate it. Inside Higher Ed
UBC, UNBC, UWinnipeg physicists play role in new experimental research facility
With the completion of the Ultracold Neutron facility, researchers from the University of Winnipeg, the University of British Columbia, and the University of Northern British Columbia will now be able complete world-leading research into the neutron electric dipole moment. UNBC explains that this experiment will lead research into questions related to the existence of matter and its dominance over antimatter. The new experimental facility and associated research were funded by $5M from the Canada Foundation for Innovation, which is being matched by various other donors including the BC Knowledge Development Fund. The research facility has been completed and is currently being tested. UNBC
Athabasca to offer online FPSC-approved courses
Athabasca University has reportedly become the first education provider to offer FPSC-Approved Core Curriculum courses in an online degree program. The Insurance Journal explains that Athabasca has been approved to offer eight courses qualifying students for FPSC Level 1 Certification in Financial Planning, the first step towards becoming a Certified Financial Planner. “Many of our students see great value in earning the Certified Financial Planner designation,” said Athabasca Business Dean Deborah Hurst. “It’s a certification that is increasingly relevant and we expect demand for CFP professionals to increase dramatically across Canada.” Insurance Journal
McMaster receives $1M gift to attract anthropology graduate students
McMaster University’s Department of Anthropology has received a $1M gift from Victor Koloshuk, in honour of his late wife, McMaster Researcher Shelley Saunders. The gift will be used to attract and support top-tier graduate students in the field of skeletal and physical anthropology. “It is satisfying to be able to continue Shelley’s legacy and to support her deep commitment to the students and the department she cared so much about,” says Koloshuk. “She understood the financial barriers faced by many graduate students, particularly international students. My hope is that this enhanced fund will open doors for exceptional students from around the world so they may bring their research talents to McMaster.” McMaster
Rowing Canada announces NextGen Hub Partnerships with UBC, UVic, Brock, Western, Trent
Rowing Canada Aviron has announced NextGen Hub partnerships with the University of British Columbia, the University of Victoria, Brock University, Western University, and Trent University/Peterborough Rowing Club. The hubs will provide high performance services to identified NextGen rowers, providing optimal coach to athlete ratios, extensive performance planning, and enhanced technical coaching capacity. “These partnerships, as part of the NextGen strategy, will help us find more athletes and train them to a higher standard,” said Adam Parfitt, RCA Director, Coach and Athlete Pathways. “The engagement from the Rowing Community in this process has been truly exciting.” Rowing Canada states that partner universities were evaluated and selected based on an objective criteria and application process. Rowing Canada | Brock | Trent
Acadia professors vote in favour of strike after conciliation talks break down
Acadia University’s professors have reportedly voted in favour of striking after conciliation talks broke down earlier this month. In addition to demands addressing pay equity and achieving salaries in line with regional averages, Acadia Professor Rachel Brickner stated that the university has “lost thirty or so tenure track positions” in negotiations over the last few contracts. “We want to try to get that number back up because we feel it’s important to the health of the academic sector and to deliver the education we are promising our students,” said Brickner. Acadia Board of Governors Spokesperson Jeff Banks responded: “We’re still in conciliation and the Board of Governors negotiating team is certainly still optimistic that a deal can be reached in due time.” Hants Journal
Carleton permitted to recoup $500K pension paid to deceased prof
Carleton University has won a $500K court judgement to reclaim pension benefits that were paid to a George Roseme, a deceased political science professor. The professor went missing in September 2007, and was presumed dead. The university was not notified of Roseme’s disappearance and his pension payments were continued until a newspaper article in 2009 alerted the institution to the situation. The lawyer of Roseme’s former partner argued that the institution must continue to pay pension benefits until the time Roseme was declared dead. The professor’s remains were discovered in 2014. As per Roseme’s contract, the Quebec Superior Court granted the university the right to reclaim the nearly $500K in pension payments made between 2007 and 2014, plus interest. Ottawa Citizen | CBC
NSCC, AEC launch program for rural entrepreneurs
Nova Scotia Community College and the Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre have launched the Building Your Small Business program, which will support entrepreneurs based in rural Nova Scotia. The 10-month program will allow participants to validate and improve their business idea using best practices and business models, work through challenges, gain experience, and complete a plan to achieve their business goals. “I believe there’s an entrepreneurial spirit in everyone that can influence and ignite economic prosperity,” said NSCC President Don Bureaux. “This partnership is one way we can help empower innovative problem solvers who’ll boost our economy and our communities.” NSCC
