Top Ten
June 28, 2018
$23M program will train Indigenous peoples in underground mining sector
Newfoundland and Labrador have partnered with the federal government and the College of the North Atlantic for a $23.6M initiative that aims to provide skills training for Indigenous people in the local mining sector, reports CBC. “Our history shows that we did that in the past and worked well. You go today to the sites, you see that over 50% of the workforce is Aboriginal and we know this is the key to the future,” said Joao Zanon, Project Director for the Voisey’s Bay mine expansion project. A CNA release adds that the college has unveiled a $1.6M underground mining simulator as part of the initiative. CBC | CNA
Keep non-teaching scholars in scholarly societies
Modern Languages Association Executive Director Paula Krebs writes on the difficulty and importance of professional associations maintaining room for those PhDs who go on to nonteaching positions. Krebs writes about how a weak faculty job market and a lack of professional development funding for academic support staff limits these scholars from participating in scholarly societies. However, the author argues that these scholars and their disciplines would mutually benefit from continued involvement after these scholars take on new roles. “As we adjust graduate programs to help educate students for a wider range of jobs,” Krebs concludes, “let’s make room for those jobs in the membership of our professional associations.” Chronicle of Higher Education
UBC student leads charge to expand campus discrimination policy to visiting speakers
A University of British Columbia student has criticized the school’s policy on discrimination and harassment for not applying to guests who are invited to campus. Fifth-year student Reid Marcus notes that the aforementioned Policy 3 currently applies only to faculty staff and not to invited guests or “temporary members.” The issue has come to the forefront as Marcus leads an effort to stop conservative commentator Ben Shapiro from speaking on campus. Marcus says he and a group of students have written a revision to the policy, which they will present it to the school’s Board of Governors in September 2018. News1130
UBC student leads charge to expand campus discrimination policy to visiting speakers
A University of British Columbia student has criticized the school’s policy on discrimination and harassment for not applying to guests who are invited to campus. Fifth-year student Reid Marcus notes that the aforementioned Policy 3 currently applies only to faculty staff and not to invited guests or “temporary members.” The issue has come to the forefront as Marcus leads an effort to stop conservative commentator Ben Shapiro from speaking on campus. Marcus says he and a group of students have written a revision to the policy, which they will present it to the school’s Board of Governors in September 2018. News1130
Graduate teaching expertise does not come at cost of research preparation: study
A University of British Columbia student has criticized the school’s policy on discrimination and harassment for not applying to guests who are invited to campus. Fifth-year student Reid Marcus notes that the aforementioned Policy 3 currently applies only to faculty staff and not to invited guests or “temporary members.” The issue has come to the forefront as Marcus leads an effort to stop conservative commentator Ben Shapiro from speaking on campus. Marcus says he and a group of students have written a revision to the policy, which they will present it to the school’s Board of Governors in September 2018. News1130
Sault College prepares for “unprecedented” number of international students this fall
Sault College is anticipating an uptick in international students for the 2018-2019 academic year. Sault Vice President Academics & Research Colin Kirkwood says the college is expecting an enrolment about 360 international students, which is up from 260 international students last year. “We have an expectation that this fall, we will see an unprecedented number of international students, and that’s the result of several years of strategic planning,” Kirkwood said. Soo Today reports that if the projected increase in international students should become a reality this fall, the college stands to bring in an additional $1.5M million in tuition fee revenue. Soo Today | Northern Ontario
Returning to research after years in administration
Returning to faculty work after 11 years in academic administration, George Justice writes about the difficulty in returning to research that had been set aside. “I can’t travel back in time and pick up the research career that was gaining steam before my turn to administration,” writes Justice. “Instead, I’ve been trying to learn how to use both the good and bad parts of my administrative experience in my work as a scholar.” While the challenges faced in this transition vary by field and situation, Justice reflects on how he applied his experiences as an administrator to his faculty work, and cautions against viewing administrative work as “time wasted” with respect to research. Chronicle of Higher Education
Concordia report proposes mandatory training for sexual violence prevention
In response to ongoing allegations that a sexually predatory atmosphere pervades Concordia University’s English Department, a university-appointed task force on sexual misconduct and sexual violence has issued a report with 42 recommendations for action, reports CBC. According to the report, the university also needs to clarify its policies and procedures while ensuring that victims know where and how to access supports. “We have a lot of work to do to train and educate our community members,” said Deputy Provost Lisa Ostiguy. Sophie Hough-Martin, the general co-ordinator of the Concordia Student Union, stated that although the report is a step in the right direction, Concordia needs to provide more follow-up for victims while ensuring that offenders face appropriate disciplinary actions. CBC | Montreal Gazette
Postscript: UBC student society reverses decision to cut support services at campus sexual assault centre
Following backlash from students on social media, the Alma Mater Society at UBC has reversed its decision to cut support to the student-run Sexual Assault Support Centre. CBC
