Top Ten
October 2, 2018
MacEwan unveils new clinical-education facility
MacEwan University has officially unveiled the MacEwan University Health Centre, reports the Edmonton Journal. The Journal states that the $4M, 13,000-square-foot clinical-education facility features 21 exam rooms, mental health space, a family consultation room, a minor procedure room, and a lab collection station. “For Edmontonians and Albertans this is really an opportunity for us to demonstrate an innovative model of primary care with the expectation that this can be expanded to other communities,” said Peter Bell, the Centre’s Medical Director. The Journal adds that the new facility will also be used to train up to 12 new family residents and dentists each year. Edmonton Journal
UNB launches sustainability initiative
A researcher at the University of New Brunswick has received over $500K for Rural Action and Voices for the Environment, an initiative that aims to create and promote dialogue between Indigenous land and water protectors, small woodlot owners, sustainable forestry and fishing activists, activists opposing exploitive resource extraction, advocates for regenerative farming, and promoters of clean and renewable energy. “RAVEN is building relationships between people and organizations passionate about rural communities and the environment in New Brunswick,” stated Susan O’Donnell, the initiative’s lead researcher. A release adds that RAVEN has partnered with the New Brunswick Media Co-op and the Joint Economic Development Initiative. Nation Talk
ULethbridge School of Liberal Education adopts Blackfoot turtle as official symbol
The School of Liberal Education at the University of Lethbridge has officially adopted the Blackfoot image of the turtle as its official symbol. A release states that the turtle represents creation and motherhood in the Blackfoot tradition. “The Blackfoot saying, Iikakimat mookakiit, meaning be wise and preserve, can be used to describe a turtle’s characteristics. These characteristics fit well with the University’s liberal education philosophy,” stated Mike Oka, Consultation Manager, Blood Tribe and External Affairs. ULethbridge adds that Distinguished Niitsitapi Scholar Leroy Little Bear has translated the four pillars of the School of Liberal Education—breadth, connections, critical thinking, and civic engagement—into the Blackfoot words Kanohsoohka’pii, Sokitapiiwahsini, Isstanisskska’taksini, and Isstaahkohanaokoi’kio’pi. Nation Talk | Lethbridge Herald
“Fake homecoming” sends over two dozen WesternU students to hospital
26 students were hospitalized during Western University’s “fake homecoming” block party last weekend, reports the London Free Press. Thousands of students swarmed a residential block for the event, which is in its third year after WesternU moved its official homecoming celebrations to later in the fall in an effort to curb student partying. “They lost the street. I would say this is worse than last year,” said Phil Squire, a city councilor. “The number of people is overwhelming. This is a big public safety issue. This is a recipe for disaster.” London Free Press
Confederation tourism program earns accreditation
Confederation College’s Tourism-Travel and Eco-Adventure Program has received SMART + Premium accreditation from Tourism HR Canada. “Thanks to this accreditation, students will be able to access discounts through Emerit Tourism Training and Certification for further professional development and will also have access to the latest industry information,” stated Confederation Professor Matthew Villella. A Confederation releases states that the accreditation affirms that the program exceeds industry standards for tourism-related programming. Confederation
NorQuest launches Colbourne Institute for Inclusive Leadership
NorQuest College has launched the Colbourne Institute for Inclusive Leadership. A NorQuest release states that the institute offers a broad range of training services that will support organizations as they develop and sustain inclusive workplace cultures. “I have a deeply-held passion for the agenda of diversity,” says NorQuest Board of Governors Chair S Ann Colbourne, who donated $1M to the college. “As a college, NorQuest really helps shape the mosaic of the communities it serves. It honours and respects where individuals come from, but still creates a cohesive whole.” NorQuest
UBC students to practice advanced techniques alongside working dentists in new campus clinic
Dentistry students at the University of British Columbia will have the opportunity to practice advanced techniques alongside working dentists, thanks to a new state-of-the-art clinic based at UBC’s Vancouver campus. UBC reports that the Patterson Dental Learning Centre has been made possible by a $1.8M donation from Patterson Dental. The primary users of the space will be BC’s dental study clubs, which facilitate continuing education and professional development for licensed dentists by bringing them together to study new techniques. “The quality of education that our students receive through this exposure will help them become more confident, capable entry-level clinicians as they graduate from the UBC faculty of dentistry,” said Faculty of Dentistry Dean Mary MacDougall. UBC
Canadian PSE institutions discuss smoking plans, cannabis policies
Several colleges and universities throughout Canada have updated their campus smoking and cannabis policies as the federal government prepares to implement cannabis legislation later this month. George Brown College states that it will go 100% smoke-free by banning the smoking or vaping of any substance on campus. The Calgary Herald reports that the University of Calgary, in response to city by-laws, will prohibit recreational cannabis use, cultivation, and the sale of marijuana paraphernalia, although it will make concessions for medical marijuana users and laboratory researchers. Lethbridge College has prohibited pot, while the University of British Columbia may permit cannabis smoking in designated areas. George Brown | Calgary Herald (UCalgary) | Lethbridge Herald (ULethbridge) | StarMetro Vancouver (UBC)
MRU unveils energy-efficient unit heating and power unit
Mount Royal University and ATCO have unveiled a new combined heating and power unit that will reduce on-campus greenhouse gas emissions by 200,000 tonnes per year. “This energy-efficiency unit is a great example of Alberta’s ingenuity and commitment to cutting costs and cutting carbon. It is truly thanks to the innovative partnership between MRU, ATCO and [Emissions Reduction Alberta],” said Graham Sucha, MLA for Calgary-Shaw. An MRU release states that the $2.4M unit, which included an $800K contribution from the ERA and an additional $800K from the province, will save the university $400K per year. Upgrades to the university’s central plant will save an additional $300K annually, adds MRU. MRU
MSVU celebrates opening for Centre for Academic Advising and Student Success
Mount Saint Vincent University has celebrated the opening of the Centre for Academic Advising and Student Success. The Centre provides a welcoming hub in which helps connect students with support services. “This is a student-centered space,” Said centre Manager Erin Tomlinson. “We want students to feel welcome and supported here.” On top of academic counselling, the centre includes learning strategist services, the Writing Centre, supplemental instruction, the transfer student coordinator, and the Right Start program. MSVU
