Top Ten
September 7, 2018
UManitoba staff on leave amid allegations of sexual misconduct
University of Manitoba President David Barnard has announced that the university has placed several staff members on leave due to allegations of sexual misconduct, CBC reports. According to the university, five staff members are under investigation. CBC adds that two of the investigations involve sexual assault, one involves sexual harassment, and two involve human rights complaints. The revelations come in the wake of two high profile cases of sexual assault involving faculty. Former jazz professor Steve Kirby retired following allegations of sexual assault in 2017, and former medical school dean Gary Harding was found guilty of professional misconduct in 2018. CBC (1) | CBC (2) | Winnipeg Free Press
Organizations from across Canada call for national WIL strategy
A group of 25 cross-country organizations has come together to call on the federal government for a new strategy the would provide every post-secondary student in the country with the opportunity to participate in a work experience before finishing school. Spearheaded by the Business/ Higher Education Roundtable (BHER), and drawing on work-integrated learning research produced by Academica Group, the group as issued a letter to the Honourable Bill Morneau calling on Canada to facilitate a national approach to work-integrated learning by investing in a national platform that will make it easier for employers and students to connect and participate in work placements. “The level of support we have from across the country shows how post-secondary institutions, businesses and other important groups are ready to step up and address the challenges ahead,” said Elizabeth Cannon, President of the University of Calgary and a BHER co-chair. BHER | Letter
StFX accuses former finance director of misappropriating $243K
St Francis Xavier University is reportedly suing the former finance director of the Coady International Institute for misappropriating at least $243K. CBC reports that the statement of claim alleges that James Marlow requisitioned cheques from the university for fake invoices from suppliers, before depositing the cheques into a personal account. StFX began investigating in July, when the school’s auditor informed staff that a vendor had received payment for an invoice it had not issued. StFX has obtained an attachment order for $229K against Marlow’s property, and is also asking for punitive and aggravated damages, interest on the amount of the funds, and legal costs. The allegations have not yet been tested in court. CBC
Should Canadian universities impose an outright ban on student-professor relationships?
The former student who accused author Steven Galloway of sexual assault is calling on the University of British Columbia to ban student-teacher relationships. Global News reports that in an open letter to UBC President Santa Ono, the woman argues that university’s policies don’t go far enough to address the issue: “Students should not be put in the position of proving this obvious imbalance of power in sexual relations with professors on a case by case basis.” Critics warn that an outright ban is infantilizing to students, particularly women. Yet University of Oregon Psychology Professor Jennifer Freyd argues that “when you have powerful people working with subordinates, it’s almost always a bad idea to have sexuality acted on. People may be legally adults but their ability to freely say no can be constrained by the power dynamics.” Global News
ACC unveils trades training trailers
Assiniboine Community College has unveiled three mobile trailers that will bring trades-related training to Indigenous communities across Manitoba. ACC President Mark Frison described the trailers as a “program in a box” that will enable the college to bring training in an easier and more cost-effective manner. The trailers will house the necessary equipment to provide hands-on education in carpentry, electrical, or piping trades. “In the past, it has been a challenge to purchase the required capital equipment for various programs but with the acquisition of these new trailers, it will make it much easier to bring accredited community-based training opportunities to our community,” said Peguis First Nation Training & Employment Program Manager Pam Favel. ACC | Brandon Sun (Subscription required)
UFV School of Business receives EPAS accreditation for its BBA program
The University of the Fraser Valley School of Business has received EPAS accreditation for its Bachelor of Business Administration program. “Receiving EPAS accreditation for our Bachelor of Business Administration program marks a milestone in our commitment to provide an excellent education and to develop individuals to achieve leadership, management, global citizenship, and employability potential. All our stakeholders will benefit from this global recognition, assuring them that UFV offers a business-relevant and academically rigorous program,” said Frank Ulbrich, Director of the School of Business at the University of Fraser Valley. A news release adds that 80 institutions across 37 countries have received EPAS accreditation. EFMD Global
SFU launches mental health app for students
Simon Fraser University and the Simon Fraser Student Society, in collaboration with Morneau Shepell, have launched My Student Support Program, a 24/7 multi-platform mental health and support service for students. A news release states that the app provides access to support from counsellors for students of different genders, religions, or ethnic backgrounds. “Having access to a larger, more diverse network of professionals means that students’ unique circumstances can be more timely and easily matched with someone who may have lived experience with their circumstances,” said SFSS VP of Student Services Samer Rihani. The release adds that the app also includes videos and articles that support mindfulness, work-life balance, and sleep. Nation Talk
WLU campus free store suffers robbery before opening
Wilfrid Laurier University’s first free store for students was targeted by thieves before opening. The store was created by WLU’s sustainability office in an effort to limit the amount of waste in the community. Furniture, kitchen appliances, clothing, and more were collected at the end of the school year by staff and then offered to students at no cost. Over the Labour Day Weekend, a break and enter was reported for the building where the merchandise was kept, and three tents, valued at $3K, were stolen. Despite the theft, volunteers say that students were still able to walk away with valuable household items, with couches, desks, appliances, winter coats, and textbooks among the most popular items. CBC
Sheridan art students revitalize Brampton Transit hub
The City of Brampton has unveiled a 16-foot mural created by Sheridan College students at Brampton Transit’s Gateway Terminal. According to a news release, four co-op students in Sheridan’s Honour’s Bachelor of Illustration program created the mural. “We’re thankful to our partners at Sheridan College for helping create beauty in a space that so many Brampton Transit riders can now appreciate, regardless of where they are at in their journey,” stated Brampton Mayor Linda Jeffrey. The release adds that the project was completed in consultation with Elijah Williams, Manager of Sheridan’s Centre for Indigenous Learning and Support. Brampton
Anti-abortion centre evicted from Acadia Students’ Union building
A controversial anti-abortion organization operating on the campus of Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia has been kicked out of the student union building after allegedly failing to make its religious affiliation and pro-life stance apparent in its literature. The Acadia Pregnancy Support office, which offers free pregnancy tests to students, had been located in the building for the past four years. Acadia Students' Union President George Philp said that the union’s former executive contacted the organization last winter after receiving complaints. The student union revoked the organization's club status on August 26th, saying it was not in compliance with the union’s bylaws, which state that it must have at least 15 members and charge a membership fee. CBC
