Top Ten
October 16, 2018
Maclean's releases full 2019 university rankings
Maclean's has released its 2019 University Rankings. The top three schools in the Primarily Undergraduate category were Mount Allison University, the University of Northern British Columbia, and Trent University; the top three schools in the Comprehensive category were Simon Fraser University, the University of Victoria, and University of Waterloo. In the Medical Doctoral Schools category, the top three schools were McGill University, the University of Toronto, and the University of British Columbia. When examining universities from all categories based on overall reputation, the top five schools were the University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, University of British Columbia, McGill University, and McMaster University. Yesterday, Academica published the results of the Student Satisfaction category of this year’s rankings. Maclean’s
Western Chancellor donates $5M to Engineering program, names building after Chakma
Jack Cowin, Chancellor of Western University, and his wife Sharon have announced a $5M donation to the university’s engineering program. A WesternU release adds that the university will also name its new engineering facility after outgoing Western President Amit Chakma. According to the statement, the decision was “inspired by Chakma’s leadership and vision to grow Western’s competitiveness on the world stage.” In 2015, Chakma and the university came under scrutiny after it was revealed that he accepted $400K for an untaken administrative leave, bringing his total salary for 2014 to $967K. According to the London Free Press, Chakma was not paid the following year in an attempt to give the money back to the university. WesternU | London Free Press
ULaval bans sexual relationships between students and teachers
Université Laval is implementing a policy that bans sexual relationships between students and staff members in positions of authority, reports CBC. The new policy will also include a new Centre d'intervention et de prévention des violences à caractère sexuel, which will make it easier for students to report and seek support for sexual violence. CBC adds that ULaval is the first Quebec institution to implement Bill 151, in which all Quebec CEGEPs and universities must adopt formal complaint procedures, victim support services, and a code of conduct for student-professor relationships by September 2019. CBC
URegina proposes policy to revoke, deny tenure
The University of Regina has proposed a process for revoking tenure if a professor fails three consecutive performance reviews, CBC reports. URegina professor Marc Spooner told CBC that the proposal is effectively "making the termination of tenure become a sort of everyday process. Essentially that actually means that we don't have tenure." CBC adds that URegina is also proposing additional screening processes for tenure-track candidates, including the denial of tenure if the university receives 40 or more negative letters from students, or five or more complaints from faculty that state the professor has not been “consistently respectful.” Canadian Association of University Teachers Executive Director David Robinson called the proposals “outrageous.” CBC
Langara launches Beyond 49 campaign
Langara College has launched Beyond 49, an 18-month campaign that aims to raise $2.5M for student scholarships, bursaries, and college initiatives. “Langara has grown and changed in so many ways over the course of its history. Throughout our 49 years, what hasn’t changed is our commitment to our students and their success,” said Langara President Lane Trotter. “As amazing as our impact has already been, Langara is just getting started.” Dignitaries at the kick-off event included George Chow, Minister of State for Trade and MLA for Vancouver-Fraserview, Vancouver City Councillor Tim Stevenson, and members of the Musqueam First Nation. Nation Talk
Carleton to hold referendum on student federation
Carleton University students will hold a vote next week over whether they should leave the Canadian Federation of Students, CBC has learned. David Oladejo, President of the Carleton University Students' Association, told CBC that although he supports many of the causes that the CFS advocates for, he is unhappy with how it is managed, and with the annual $400K that students must hand over each year. CFS Ontario Chair Nour Alideeb disagreed with Oladejo’s assessment. “There are some individuals on campus that don't necessarily agree with some of the work or the stances that the federation has, but that overshadows the really amazing work that we do,” he said. CBC
NLC opens $34.4M trades facility, giving students new opportunities to build strong future
Students from Dawson Creek, British Columbia and its surrounding region will be able to pursue trades training without having to move away from their families and community, thanks to a new $34.4M training centre at Northern Lights College. The 43,000-square-foot centre will provide space at the college for up to 96 new FTE students, and will house the school’s carpenter, millwright (industrial mechanic), plumber, welding and wind-turbine maintenance programs. $14.6M was provided through the Government of Canada's Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, and $16.4M was provided by the Province of British Columbia. The remaining $3.4M was provided by NLC and donors. NLC | BC
Fanshawe unveils agri-food research facility
Fanshawe College has officially opened the Centre for Advanced Research and Innovation in Biotechnology, a biotech research centre that supports the agri-food industry. A Fanshawe release states that the new facility was funded in part by a $4M investment from the federal government and $2.2M from the province. “Fanshawe's Centre for Advanced Research and Innovation in Biotechnology allows our student and faculty teams to offer collaborative research support to local biotechnology partners in the agri-food industry,” said Fanshawe President Peter Devlin. Fanshawe adds that the 13,000 square-foot facility features biology, chemistry, instrumentation, and physics labs, as well as an incubator and collaborative spaces for industry partners. Fanshawe | London Free Press
UBC opens new Innovation Hub in downtown Kelowna
The University of British Columbia has opened a new Innovation Centre in downtown Kelowna, BC. A UBC release notes that the goal of the hub, along with a counterpart centre in Vancouver, is to combine research findings and entrepreneurial spirit to develop innovative new products, policies and practices that will improve lives around the world. “For more than a century, UBC’s discoveries and spin-off companies have played key roles in advancing technology, natural resources and life sciences sectors,” says Gail Murphy, UBC's vice-president of research and innovation. “The Innovation UBC network will further support entrepreneurial learning and collaboration with industry and the broader community to generate local, national and global impact.” UBC
Holland, StFX renew agreements for music students
Holland College and St Francis Xavier University have renewed articiulation agreements that benefit music students. Graduates of Holland's Music Performance program are able to enter into the third year of either StFX's Bachelor of Arts Honours Music or the Bachelor of Music degree program. Admission into the StFX program is conditional on the successful completion of a performance audition, as well as a minimum 75% average and a minimum grade of 70% in music courses. StFX
