Top Ten
September 28, 2018
UOttawa student federation executives refuse to vacate offices
Two executives with the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa have refused to vacate their offices following the university’s decision to sever all ties with the embattled union, reports the Ottawa Citizen. The university announced that it is terminating its contract with the SFUO following an investigation into fiscal mismanagement, improper governance, internal conflict and workplace misconduct. An SFUO release claims that executives tried to deal with UOttawa’s concerns, but added that “we are not here to please and gain the confidence of the university.” Michel Guilbeault, Associate VP of Student Life, told the Citizen that UOttawa wants to work with the SFUO, but that it also needs to insure that students receive good governance, “which we don’t currently have.” Ottawa Citizen
Queen’s initiative welcomes 190 first-generation students to PSE
Queen’s University has welcomed over 190 self-identified first generation students this fall, including seven from underrepresented communities, reports the Queen’s University Gazette. The new admissions are part of an initiative that helps prospective students from low-income communities transition from high school and study at Queen’s. “We are committed to continuing to work with schools, youth and their families and community organizations to build awareness about opportunities and options for higher education, including at Queen’s, and help address barriers that may prevent them from attending university,” stated Ann Tierney, Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs. The Gazette adds that Queen’s has a relationship with the Kingston and GTA chapters of Pathways, which aims to break the cycle of poverty through education. Queen’s Gazette
Queen’s initiative welcomes 190 first-generation students to PSE
Queen’s University has welcomed over 190 self-identified first generation students this fall, including seven from underrepresented communities, reports the Queen’s University Gazette. The new admissions are part of an initiative that helps prospective students from low-income communities transition from high school and study at Queen’s. “We are committed to continuing to work with schools, youth and their families and community organizations to build awareness about opportunities and options for higher education, including at Queen’s, and help address barriers that may prevent them from attending university,” stated Ann Tierney, Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs. The Gazette adds that Queen’s has a relationship with the Kingston and GTA chapters of Pathways, which aims to break the cycle of poverty through education. Queen’s Gazette
Notorious post-secondary bandit denied parole
A thief who has admitted to breaking into universities because he likes the “thrill” has been denied parole, reports the Montreal Gazette. Gerald Lawson Nicholls has broken into numerous universities and colleges over the last ten years, including the University of Ottawa, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Université du Québec a Trois Rivières, Queen’s University, Loyalist College, and a suspected ten break-ins into the University of Waterloo. The Gazette adds that Nicholls’ parole board also learned that he has managed to run an “unregistered and undeclared” company while in prison. In 2017, he received a four-year sentence for 18 break-ins, but with time served his sentence was reduced to 29 months. Montreal Gazette
RDC offers first degree to integrate film, theatre, live entertainment in AB
Red Deer College has announced that it will launch a four-year Bachelor of Applied Arts in Film, Theatre, and Live Entertainment degree in September 2019. “Students will be able to complete all four years of this degree at RDC. We are proud to be the only public post-secondary institution in Alberta to offer a fully integrated film, theatre, and live entertainment degree,” stated RDC President and CEO Joel Ward. According to an RDC release, students will have the option to specialize in Acting, Film Production, or Live Entertainment Production. Ward told the Red Deer Express that integrated learning will also be an important component of the program. RDC | Red Deer Express | rdnewsNOW
Times Higher Education announces World University Rankings 2019
Times Higher Education has announced the 2019 World University Rankings and five Canadian universities have made it into the top 100 rankings. The University of Toronto was the highest ranked Canadian institution (#21), followed by the University of British Columbia (#37), McGill University (tied for #44), McMaster University (#77), and the University of Montéal (tied for #90). The publication states that China has seen a marked ascent of the rankings, and that France’s university mergers have shown improvements as well. Times Higher Education | Times Higher Education
How to network and build relationships within your faculty
Networking within one’s faculty is just as important as networking outside of it, writes Stephen J. Aguilar. To network effectively, Aguilar adds, it is useful to pay attention to the ebbs and flows of the social dynamic within a given department. While universities in small towns might be more amenable to a culture of informal exchanges, faculty in commuter campuses will likely follow more structured meeting schedules. The author suggests building relationships with people that extend beyond basic questions about the tenure processes, and to be mindful of both the formal and informal power structures of a department. Inside Higher Ed
U of T harnesses the “power of place”: Gertler
“[O]ne of the paradoxes of modern life is that, for the most knowledge-intensive forms of economic activity, geography and the quality of place now matter more , not less, and geographical clustering is becoming more apparent over time,” writes University of Toronto President Meric Gertler. To that end, adds Gertler, recent research and teaching initiatives at the University of Toronto have sought to emphasize the university’s material location. Gertler says that in addition to the interdisciplinary School of Cities, U of T’s new Presidential Adviser on Urban Engagement coordinated an agreement with the City of Toronto to foster collaboration between students, faculty, and city officials. Such strategies integrate the university’s material presence with an increasingly digital world, Gertler concludes. U of T | Times Higher Education
SaskPolytech becomes first school in NA recognized as Certified Collision Care Provider
Saskatchewan Polytechnic is now recognized as a Certified Collision Care Provider in North America. According to a SaskPolytech release, the designation enables students of the Auto Body Technician program to repair vehicles according to automobile manufacturers’ specifications. “This is a very proud moment to showcase the level and quality of training SaskPolytech provides our Auto Body Technician program students,” said SaskPolytech President and CEO Larry Rosia. SaskPolytech states that it provides the in-school portion of apprenticeship training for the Auto Body Technician program, and it is the first program of its kind to receive OEM certification in North America. SaskPolytech
Students can now use loyalty program points to pay off federal loans
Students who take out loans through the Canada Student Loans program can now repay these loans by redeeming loyalty program points from Aeroplan, TD Rewards, and the CIBC Aventura programs. The arrangement has been made possible by HigherEdPoints.com, an organization that already offers students the opportunity to redeem loyalty points to pay their tuition at more than 100 Canadian colleges and universities and repay provincial loan program debts. Businesses, friends, or family can also convert their loyalty points to repay a student or grad’s loans. “We are thrilled to have brought the Canada Student Loans program into HigherEdPoints to provide post-secondary students and their families a new opportunity to relieve some of the financial pressure upon graduation,” says Suzanne Tyson, Founder and CEO of HigherEdPoints.com. HigherEdPoints.com
TRU opens $32M Industrial Training and Technology Centre
Thompson Rivers University has opened a $32M Industrial Training and Technology Centre that it says will offer new opportunities to those seeking job-ready skills in the trades and technology industries. At 5,344 square metres, the centre houses the Instrumentation Mechanic, Construction & Industrial Electrician, and Industrial Mechanic (also called Millwright) programs, as well as three new programs: Power Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering Technology, and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic. “By enabling us to offer more places and new programs, we’re able to give a greater number of students the quality training they need for B.C.’s in-demand trades and technology jobs,” said Christine Bovis-Cnossen, interim president and vice-chancellor of TRU. TRU
