Top Ten
November 1, 2017
Dal student criticizes “anti-Canadian” decision for union to not celebrate Canada 150
A student at Dalhousie University says that her student union’s decision not to participate in Canada 150 celebrations is “anti-Canadian” and that fear of being labelled racist prevented many students from speaking out against the decision. Mehak Saini said this week that she is speaking up for those who were silenced during the debate over the motion. “As an immigrant, I celebrate this country and its values and the freedom of speech,” said Saini, who immigrated to Brampton, Ontario from northern India when she was nine years old. “I'm proud of this country.” Saini’s comments come partly in response to student council executive Masuma Khan, who recently had disciplinary action against her dropped by Dal. Saini has also called on the Dal Student Union to hold a new election for Khan’s position on its executive council. CBC
McMaster chancellor emeritus gives $2M to launch Socrates project
McMaster University has received a new $2M investment from Chancellor Emeritus Lynton “Red” Wilson to support the liberal arts. The gift will launch the Socrates Project, a two-year campus-wide pilot project drawing on McMaster’s strengths in liberal arts education and research, particularly in the study of the humanities and social sciences. Championed by McMaster President Patrick Deane, the project will work to foster the critical thinking, communication, creativity, imagination, and collaboration critical to developing deeply engaged citizens and leaders. “We must constantly work to better understand who we are – our history, our communities, our cultures, ourselves – if we are to realize our goals and make sound decisions about our nation and our place in the world,” said Wilson. McMaster
Finding the golden ratio of online vs in-person classes
“Is there a tipping point at which students who take a blend of online and in-person coursework are doing too much online?” asks Beth McMurtrie. This single question gets to the heart of what some scholars have called the “online paradox,” which goes as follows: community-college students in the US who take an online course are more likely to fail than those who take the course face-to-face, yet students who take some online classes are more likely to complete their degrees than are those who do not take any. This paradox has led some researchers to seek out what the ideal ratio of online to in-person classes might be. Chronicle of Higher Education
MtA celebrates opening of Colville Studio
Mount Allison University has formally opened the Colville Studio, which displays works by famous Canadian artist and MtA alumnus Alex Colville in the Colville House.The artist’s studio—including his brushes, easels, and other studio materials—were donated to the university in 2016, and present an “extraordinary and unique set of resources” for understanding the artist’s life, work, and legacy. “Alex Colville played a significant role in both Mount Allison’s history and Canada’s art history and continues to influence artists of all ages,” said MtA President Robert Campbell. “On behalf of the entire University community I wish to thank the Colville family, as well as the Government of Canada, for this extraordinary and thoughtful contribution.” MtA
MUN receives over $1M for entrepreneurial competition
Memorial University of Newfoundland has received over $1M from the Woodward Group to support the Mel Woodward Cup, an entrepreneurial competition conducted by MUN’s Memorial Centre for Entrepreneurship. The funds will go towards $40K in prize money, as well as marketing and legal services, enrolment in the Genesis Centre’s evolution program, access to market research, and a reserved spot in the MCE co-working space. “It’ll spark the entrepreneurial drive,” said Peter Woodward. “My dad really believed in the university, really believed in the capacity of students to go out and create new things and be something and add to the province.” The Telegram
Huron, Vancouver School of Theology announce affiliation
Huron University College and Vancouver School of Theology have announced an affiliation for theological education designed for ministry candidates in The United Church of Canada. Students at Huron will now be able to study locally in London, Ontario while enrolled in distance education at the Vancouver School of Theology. Huron University College, through its United Church faculty, will deliver pastoral theology and field education courses, while VST will deliver the rest of the program through its distance MDiv program. Huron
The importance of truly loving one’s students: Wright
“I frequently tell my students outright, ‘I love you,’” writes Matthew Wright, adding that professors must “care deeply about students and show it.” The author writes that this approach has led him to spend just as much time helping high-achieving students as low-achieving ones, as those who achieve at a high level often feel a significant amount of pressure to continue performing at this level. Wright also notes that caring for students means encouraging underrepresented students who might feel as though they do not belong in their class or in PSE at all. “You will see, as I have, that love doesn’t make the teaching easier,” Wright concludes. “But love can make reaching students -- all students -- much more successful.” Inside Higher Ed
UOttawa, APTPUO avoid strike with tentative deal
The University of Ottawa and the Association of Part-Time Professors of the University of Ottawa reached a tentative deal early Monday morning, allowing classes to continue as usual at the university. “Part-time professors play an important role in our academic programs. I am pleased to see that we've been able to conclude a fair and reasonable agreement,” said UOttawa President Jacques Frémont. “I would like to thank members of both bargaining committees for their efforts.” The union’s professors were without a contract since August 2016, and 92% had voted in favour of strike action if an agreement could not be reached. The agreement has yet to be ratified by the university’s board of governors and APTPUO members. CBC
Collaborative nursing program in SK expands to North Battleford
A partnership between Saskatchewan Polytechnic, the University of Regina, Northwest College, and Prairie North Health Region has allowed the Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing program to expand to North Battleford, SK. The expansion will allow up to 16 students from the North Battleford area to enter into the SCBScN program in Saskatoon and complete their fourth year in North Battleford. “We know that about 55% of SCBScN graduates find employment in the nursing units where they completed their practicum in year four,” says URegina Faculty of Nursing Dean david Gregory. “Providing the fourth year of the degree program in North Battleford ensures SCBScN graduates are well positioned to find employment in the Prairie North Health Region.” SaskPolytech
