Top Ten
September 18, 2018
AB provides 400 spaces for tech students
A $50M investment from the Government of Alberta will provide 400 additional seats for technology students throughout the province, reports CTV News. The announcement has followed the creation of the Talent Advisory Council on Technology, a 16-person working group that advises the province on the growing demands of the tech industry. “Alberta’s tech sector is growing quickly, and we have to prepare students with the expertise and skills to work in a modern and diverse economy,” said Marlin Schmidt, Minister of Advanced Education. Institutions in Calgary will receive 216 seats, those in Edmonton will receive 169 seats, and those in Lethbridge will receive 21 seats. CTV News | Troy Media
McMaster MNR, CPDC sign agreement focused on medical isotopes
McMaster University’s McMaster Nuclear Reactor facility and the Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization have signed an agreement to explore the development of rare and high-value medical radioisotopes. “The combination of expertise that has been built at MNR and CPDC and leveraged at McMaster is another great example of our ability to capitalize on our unique strengths to develop research partnerships,” said McMaster acting Vice President, Research Karen Mossman. “This joint-development project has great potential to address a growing concern in nuclear medicine and will accelerate the commercialization of our world-class research.” Financial Post
ACAD, Tsuut’ina Nation partner to deliver course in Dené language
The Alberta College of Art + Design's Lodgepole Center has partnered with the Tsuut’ina Nation to help revitalize the traditional Dené language. A new 10 week course led by Tsuut’ina Language Commissioner Elder Bruce Starlight is open to the general public and is being offered for free. “Understanding and appreciating yourself through language is a stepping stone to creativity,” said Starlight. An ACAD release states that public demand for the course is strong, with all available seats filled before the registration cut-off date. “ACAD is proud that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations and our responsibility to them as a post-secondary institution are being demonstrated through the offering of this course,” stated Lodgepole Centre Indigenous Coordinator Tina Kinnee-Brown. ACAD
UWindsor sees rising sexual misconduct complaints
The University of Windsor has seen sexual misconduct complaints nearly quadruple in the last school year, which CBC says is an “intended and desired” shift. “This is not a reflection of a sudden jump in sexual violence,” said Sexual Misconduct Response and Prevention Office coordinator Dusty Johnstone. "What we're seeing now is actually an intended and desired shift in numbers where people who previously had experience but wouldn't have had a place to go for support now do.” CBC reports that there were 66 disclosures made to the SMRPO during the 2017-2018 school year, an increase from 17 the year before. CBC
McGill position outsourcing “risks conflict-of-interest”
McGill University has outsourced the leadership of its computer department to Stuart A Forman, senior vice president of the technology firm CGI, reports Journal de Montréal. Forman will be acting in the role for six months, and McGill’s media relations department has explained that the amount paid for this interim is part of a $408K mandate to CGI. UQAM Professor Michel Seguin noted that the university appeared to be at risk of a conflict-of-interest, and that it would need to ensure that Forman is not tempted to make biased decisions in his role. McGill must also demonstrate that it had no other internal solution to replace this position, Seguin added. The Journal reports that McGill has not publicly posted Forman's contract and did not issue a call for tenders despite the amount. Journal de Montréal
Canadore, Nipissing emphasize consent as part of sexual violence support strategies
Administrators and student representatives at Canadore College and Nipissing University are implementing initiatives to offer improved supports for victims of sexual violence. Canadore VP of Enrolment Management, Indigenous and Student Services Shawn Chorney stated that both Canadore and Nipissing emphasize consent as a key principle of their respective student communities. Canadore student leaders also receive bystander training, the Nugget adds. “We are trying to create an environment where there is no stigma, where there is no fear of reprisal” for reporting incidents,” Chorney stated, adding that some schools “pride themselves that it doesn’t happen there. I think they have their heads in the sand.” North Bay Nugget
MUN president to step down early
Gary Kachanoski will step down as President of Memorial University in December of 2019, six months earlier than originally announced, reports CBC. Kachanoski told CBC he wants to give his successor more time to prepare for the 2020 budget following MUN’s first review in 14 years. “By January 2020, the university will be engaging with the outcome from that, and that will significantly impact a new budget planning cycle starting with the April 2020 budget,” he said, adding that “budget challenges in the last couple of years have been significant, as they have been for the province and everybody else in the province and will continue to be.” Kachanoski started his term as President in 2010, adds CBC. CBC (1) | CBC (2)
Fanshawe opens downtown campus
Fanshawe College has officially opened its new campus in downtown London. According to a Fanshawe release, the 114,000 square-foot facility houses over 25 programs, including Game Development, Computer Programmer Analyst, Culinary Management, and Baking and Pastry Arts Management. “As the single largest capital investment the College has undertaken to date, this facility is a very exciting new chapter in Fanshawe's history,” stated Fanshawe President Peter Devlin. Fanshawe adds that the City of London contributed $9M to the project. The Downtown London Business Association and MainStreet London provided an additional $1M. Fanshawe
Peterson files second claim against WLU
Jordan Peterson has filed a second statement of claim against Wilfrid Laurier University, reports the Waterloo Regional Record. According to the Record, Peterson has filed the new lawsuit in response to a WLU release that alleged Peterson’s original filing was “being used as a means of unduly limiting expression on matters of public interest, including gender identity.” Peterson’s lawyer, Howard Levitt, stated that “(Laurier) thought issuing a press release would help them, and instead they libelled him again.” The new statement of claim seeks $500K apiece for defamation, injurious falsehood, and punitive damages—the same as his first claim—plus $250K for aggravated damages. Waterloo Regional Record | National Post
LGBTQ+ students have higher student debt: study
According to a new study cited by the Toronto Star, LGBTQ+ students are disproportionately saddled with student debt. The Star reports that 66% of LGBTQ+ respondents owed more than $10K, compared to 50% of non-LGBTQ+. Additionally, 10% of respondents who identified as LGBTQ+ stated they owe more than $70K, while only 1% of their counterparts owed $70K or more. “They (members of the LGBTQ+ community) do accumulate more debt when they’re finishing their education than people outside the community,” Lorne Bozinoff, president of the research firm that conducted the study, told The Star. Bozinoff added that more research is needed to determine the causes for higher LGBTQ+ student debt. Toronto Star
