Top Ten
August 28, 2018
Conestoga looks to bolster accountability for student conduct with launch of SSR office
Conestoga College has launched a new Student Rights and Responsibilities office that will manage student conduct concerns and ensure accountability for standards of behaviour. “As the college grows we need to accommodate an increase in student concerns and an increase in the complexity of those concerns,” explained Conestoga Vice President of Student Affairs Mike Dinning. “Through SRR we will provide the college community with access to an environment that fosters support and guidance while helping students understand their rights and responsibilities.” Conestoga
TRU, Kamloops sign agreement to pursue, create opportunities
Thompson Rivers University and the City of Kamloops have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that aims to create new opportunities to make the university and city stronger. “I hope it's going to be a catalyst. It's sending a message to the students, faculty and staff that we're part of the community and we want to be even more a part of it,” explained TRU President Alan Shaver. Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian added that TRU will help Kamloops find solutions to problems currently facing the city, including social issues such as affordable housing and the opioid crisis. TRU | CFJC Today
How UWaterloo is growing a research and technology park into an all-hours destination
“Research parks around the world are changing more to an innovation district model, where people can have a live-work-play balance,” said Mike Pereira, business development manager for the University of Waterloo's David Johnston Research and Technology Park. The Waterloo Region Record highlights UWaterloo's current plans to explore the possibility of adding restaurants, cafés, and motorized scooters to the park in an effort to attract visitors beyond the 9-5 business hours. Pereira also serves on a committee that is currently looking to create a broader Business Improvement Area around the park, an idea that he notes can be applied to other research parks around the world. Waterloo Region Record
Students criticize UManitoba for “infuriating” payout after Kirby retirement
Several students at the University of Manitoba say that they are frustrated and confused by the reported $156K paid to former professor Steve Kirby in 2017. Kirby left the university in June 2017 amid sexual harassment allegations, yet made over $20K more than he did in 2016. “Obviously that is infuriating, particularly because by paying him anything, the U of M is completely turning their backs on the students and validating everything that he did,” wrote a former UManitoba student. Privacy laws have barred UManitoba officials from commenting directly on the figures, but UManitoba Provost and VP Academic Janice Ristock notes that the university has offered a number of workshops and counselling opportunities since Kirby’s departure, and that it will begin the process of creating a new sexual assault policy this fall. CBC
CEGEPs forecast decreased enrolments for 2018
Data collected by the Fédération des cégeps has found a drop in the number of students enrolled at the institutions for the coming Fall semester. Federation president Bernard Tremblay called the observed decrease “alarming,” and noted that it illustrates the need to ensure that no youth interested in pursuing and succeeding at college miss out on the opportunity. Overall, the federation is projecting 1.4% fewer students to be enrolled this year. By percentage, the regions that are expected to see the greatest decrease since Fall 2017 are Mauricie (4.9%), Outaouise (3.4%), and North Shore (3.1%). Only the region of Laurentians is forecast to see an increase over last year (1.9%). Fédération des cégeps
CNA partners with Qalipu First Nation on educational pathways, business initiatives
College of the North Atlantic and the Qalipu First Nation have entered a five-year Memorandum of Understanding that will see both parties collaborate on the delivery of new educational pathways, as well as community and business development initiatives. CNA reports that the organizations will explore educational opportunities that will allow students to complete high school and transition into PSE; build professional capacity in educational programming in health sciences, tourism, business development and environmental stewardship; and explore mutually beneficial partnerships on applied research and innovation. “We have many common goals, so it is exciting to see the possibilities that we have in front of us for strengthening the Indigenous persons and communities in this province,” said CNA President Bruce Hollett. CNA
How tenured and tenure-track faculty can support adjuncts: Zarrow
“Now that I’m on the other side, what else can I do to change the structural conditions and interpersonal slights shaping adjunct life (beyond not making asinine comments to my peers)?” writes adjunct-turned-tenure-track professor Sarah Ellen Zarrow. The author offers a number of concrete actions that tenure and tenure-track faculty can take to better support adjuncts, which include advocating for adjunct unionization and representation, offering adjunct faculty the same physical resources as tenured and tenure-line faculty, and asking adjuncts about their research and teaching “with the idea that they might actually teach you something.” Inside Higher Ed
King’s UC graduates get new pathways into Western BEd
King’s University College students will now be able to take advantage of new pathways for continuing their education at Western University’s Faculty of Education. Beginning in 2019, graduates of King’s degree programs in French, Catholic Studies for Teachers, or Social Justice and Peace Studies who meet set criteria will receive guaranteed entry into the Western Bachelor of Education program. “This opportunity provides prospective applicants with another career possibility to consider as they are making important decisions about their university choices, and increases the options for our graduates as they develop their post-graduate prospects,” said King’s Associate Registrar Tracy Cunningham. King's
AB universities ramp up opioid training, awareness efforts leading into new school year
In a back-to-school feature article, The Star Edmonton explores some of the ways that Alberta-based postsecondary institutions are preparing to warn and educate their students about the dangers of opioids. This week, Health Canada issued a nationwide alert to postsecondary students about the signs and hazards of opioid overdose, particularly within the context of orientation-week parties. The alert warns that life-threatening substances such as fentanyl can appear in other drugs and even alcohol. According to the Alberta government, 733 people died from apparent accidental opioid overdoses in 2017 — an average of two Albertans every day — while 2016 saw 555 deaths. The Star Edmonton
Indigenous legal traditions to be the focus of required first-year law course at UWindsor
First-year law students at the University of Windsor will be required to complete a course in Indigenous legal traditions when they arrive at school this September, reports CBC. UWindsor Dean of Law Christopher Waters notes that the course and its mandate were inspired by the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which specifically called on law schools to do a better job of disseminating knowledge about Indigenous legal traditions. “If we're going to have a true nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous people, we need to further explore what the legal traditions of our Indigenous communities are,” said Waters. CBC |Windsor Star
