Top Ten
January 4, 2018
Indigenous graduate numbers grow, spur increase in calls for funding, programs
As the number of Indigenous graduates continues to grow in Canada, so do calls for more Indigenous-centred programming and funding in PSE, reports Simona Chiose. The article notes that the federal government is currently in discussions with Indigenous stakeholders across the country to determine how to improve participation rates, the outcome of which may be a formal lifting of the funding cap on the Post-Secondary Student Support Program. The article also notes that the Ontario government is moving to grant the nine Indigenous postsecondary institutes in the province full independence, which would include the ability to approve programs through an Indigenous-run council rather than submitting them to the province for approval. Globe and Mail
WLU names 13 people to freedom of expression task force
Wilfrid Laurier University has announced the names of 13 people who will work on its freedom of expression task force. The task force on freedom of expression was announced in November by university President Deborah MacLatchy in response to an incident involving teaching assistant Lindsay Shepherd. One of the task force’s core goals will be to develop a statement on freedom of expression that aligns with the school's mission, vision, and values. The 13-member group will be chaired by university vice president Robert Gordon, and will include members from the university's faculty and administration. The task force will begin meeting in January and is expected to produce a final report in March 2018. CBC | Waterloo Region Record
USask aims to expand Prince Albert campus
The University of Saskatchewan is finalizing plans to purchase additional real estate in Prince Albert and create a “permanent footprint” in the city, reports the Saskatoon StarPhoenix. “The most important thing for the University of Saskatchewan is to be clear in its commitment to northern communities and to be clear that we see Prince Albert as a gateway to the north,” said USask Vice-Provost of Teaching and Learning Patti McDougall. McDougall explained that USask plans to bring its existing Prince Albert programs together, and will then look into creating space for third- and fourth-year dentistry students to practice, which would enable the dentistry college to offer more seats. Saskatoon StarPhoenix
HEC Montréal, Bocconi University partner to provide students with dual degree in Montréal, Milan
HEC Montréal has signed an agreement with Bocconi University in Milan that will allow students from the two institutions to divide their studies between the two cities and earn a dual degree. Students in the HEC Bachelor’s in Business Administration program will be able to replace their final year in the undergraduate program with two years in Milan to earn a Bocconi Master’s degree in one of five areas. Bocconi Master’s students will also be able to earn a Master of Science in one of two specializations from HEC by completing their second year of studies in Montréal. HEC
Lakehead, Thunder Bay agree to pursue collaboration opportunities
HEC Montréal has signed an agreement with Bocconi University in Milan that will allow students from the two institutions to divide their studies between the two cities and earn a dual degree. Students in the HEC Bachelor’s in Business Administration program will be able to replace their final year in the undergraduate program with two years in Milan to earn a Bocconi Master’s degree in one of five areas. Bocconi Master’s students will also be able to earn a Master of Science in one of two specializations from HEC by completing their second year of studies in Montréal. HEC
The growing conflict surrounding university boards
“In recent years, numerous boards have been put under an unfamiliar and uncomfortable media spotlight,” writes Moira McDonald. The author notes that while university boards in Canada may have traditionally worked outside of the limelight, recent years have seen board decisions become topics of national news coverage. Part of the growing conflict, the author adds, is due to disagreements about the board’s duty. While some argue that the board has a fiduciary responsibility toward internal university constituencies, others say that this fiduciary responsibility is solely to the public. Others argue that emerging policies around board solidarity have served to silence dissent and reduce transparency. University Affairs
Western graduate suing alma mater for $11M over alleged issues with program delivery
A Western University graduate is suing the school for $11M, alleging that its postgraduate medical training did not provide him the education he needed to pass his medical microbiologist qualifying exam. Western is seeking permission to appeal a November ruling that gave the graduate permission to proceed with the lawsuit. “The pith and substance of the plaintiff's claim, which consists of complaints regarding the implementation and organization of the residency program, are academic decisions within the discretion of universities,” reads Western's notice of motion for leave to appeal. The plaintiff’s lawyer counters that that the issue at stake is the proper delivery of a program, not the plaintiff's grades. Waterloo Region Record | National Post
Equal-pay law to have major impact on ON college system
The Ontario college system is bracing for the financial impact of the province’s new Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs law, writes Jacquie Miller. The author notes that many of the contract faculty members employed by the college system may be subject to significant pay raises under the equal-pay-for-equal-work provision in the new legislation. The author notes that Algonquin College, for example, will have to pay up to $29M a year to comply with the new law, according to college documents. These documents also suggest that the additional cost of the bill could be between 5.7% and 7.7% of the college's annual expenditures, although an Algonquin statement noted that it is still too soon to know what the law's full impact will be. Ottawa Citizen
Squamish Nation, SFU commit to collaboration with new agreement
Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and Simon Fraser University have signed a three-year (renewable) MOU that strengthens the long-standing relationship between the university and the Squamish Nation to collaborate on cultural, academic, and research activities. Under the MOU, both partners will explore opportunities that relate to strengthening cultural protocols and events and exchanging information and expertise, among other goals. “The MOU is a commitment to continue to build a relationship with SFU so that the university becomes a place where our students attend and thrive both culturally and academically,” says Chris Lewis, councillor of the Squamish Nation and member of the SFU Board of Governors. “We look forward to working with SFU to develop in the community training, projects and research.” NationTalk
AB to open “superlab” at UAlberta
The Alberta government will consolidate its medical laboratory services into a public corporation under Alberta Health Services next year, with a new Edmonton facility to follow. CBC reports that the province is hoping lab tests will be done more quickly and efficiently in a new integrated public facility at the University of Alberta's south campus. The land for the building site is already owned by the government, which is expected to save $30M in land purchase costs. The government has already committed $20M to planning, preliminary designs and initial site work for the consolidated lab. The total cost of the project has not yet been revealed. The new facility will change where lab results are processed but not where patients get their lab tests done, Alberta Health Minister Sarah Hoffman said on Thursday. Construction on the lab is expected to begin in 2019. CBC
