Top Ten
October 24, 2018
UQTR Foundation receives nearly $3M from university community
The Fondation de l’Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières has received nearly $3M from partners in the UQTR community. The donation stemmed primarily from three key groups: the UQTR student association, the off-campus student association, and the lecturer union. The funds will be used to improve the school's Student Life Pavilion, support student projects, award scholarships, replace videoconferencing equipment at the off-campus university centres, and more. UQTR Board Chairman André St-Onge thanked the community, stating that they had set an example for donors outside of campus by demonstrating their support of the institution. UQTR
Student newspapers examine impact of cannabis
With Canada becoming the second country worldwide to make cannabis legal at the national level, institutions have taken “drastically different approaches” to their cannabis policies. In a collaboration story by UBC's the Ubyssey, Carleton University's the Chalatan, the University of Calgary's the Gauntlet, and the University of Ottawa's the Fulcrum explore the policies and stances taken by different institutions. The article highlights the complexities of policies for areas such as housing and residences and note that most institutions have completely banned the use of cannabis on campus for a variety of reasons. McGill University's interim guidelines are reportedly among the most restrictive in Canada, while at UBC students will be permitted to smoke cannabis anywhere that they can smoke cigarettes. The Gauntlet
How to foster more responsive boards
In an op-ed that investigates the relationship between university boards and the committees that do most of the institutional “heavy lifting,” Peter Eckel and Cathy Trower find that overlap and unequal labour distribution most commonly hinder efficiency. To anticipate and sidestep administrative redundancies, the authors set out a list of recommendations that include ensuring collaboration and communication between committees; deploying initiatives such as time audits and retreats; and ensuring that a board’s committee structure aligns with the university’s Strategic Plan priorities. Eckel and Trower conclude with the importance of ad hoc task forces for urgent matters. Inside Higher Ed
Holland College signs transfer agreement with University of Limerick
A new agreement between Holland College’s School of Performing Arts and the University of Limerick in Ireland will facilitate degree pathways into Limerick’s Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts programs. “The ethos and values of Holland College’s approach to performing arts education resonates strongly with that of the Irish World Academy. We are delighted to visit and to forge connections with colleagues and students,” said Sandra Joyce, Director of the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. Michael O’Grady, VP of Innovation, Enterprise and Strategic Development at Holland College, added that “[o]n this very Irish island, where a third of Prince Edward Islanders claim Irish roots, we have retained our Irishness in many ways, including through our traditional music.” Holland College
Arctic College announces partnership with MUN
Nunavut Arctic College has announced a new partnership with Memorial University. Nunatsiaq News reports that Arctic College delivers specific programs through Dalhousie University and the University of Saskatchewan, this new agreement will facilitate capacity building and program development within the institution. “Nunavut is one of the largest post-secondary service regions in the world and a major centre for research. Partnering with Memorial University will only benefit our learners now and in the future,” said Arctic College President Sheila Kolola. Nunatsiaq News adds that the new partnership follows a feasibility study that sought to determine whether Nunavut could support a university. The study recommended that Arctic College partner with an existing institution. Nunatsiaq News | Arctic College
External investigator finds no evidence of hazing at Laurentian
A third-party investigator has found no evidence of wrongdoing following an investigation into allegations that Laurentian University’s soccer team conducted hazing rituals, reports CBC. According to Laurentian, the university began its investigation after receiving an anonymous complaint in August. The Lambda, Laurentian’s student newspaper, also stated that it received an email that accused the team of hazing. The paper verified the complainant’s identity, who asked that it not be disclosed publicly, CBC adds. While Laurentian officials did not verify if the two complaints were related, they said in a release that an external investigator found nothing to support the allegations. CBC | Sudbury Star
Graduate Students' Association ratifies two-year Collective Agreement with UCalgary
The University of Calgary’s Board of Governors, Human Resources Governance Committee, and the Graduate Students’ Association have ratified a new Collective Agreement. According to UCalgary Provost Dru Marshall, negotiations were smooth. “A shared goal at the table was to ensure graduate student employees were aware of their rights and obligations,” Marshall said. According to GSA President Brit Paris, the new agreement clarifies the language of the Collective Agreement to ensure that student employees understand the university’s obligations to them as an employer. Paris added that GSA representatives are “pleased” with the Agreement, which expires in 2020. UCalgary
WLU business schools receives $500K donation to support supply chain management
Wilfrid Laurier University’s Lazaridis School of Business and Economics has received $500K from the Graham Munro Charitable Foundation. “This is a game changer for Laurier and businesses in our region,” said WLU President and Vice-Chancellor Deborah MacLatchy “With this support, Laurier and the Graham Munro Charitable Foundation will cultivate the next generation of leaders in supply chain management.” In addition to funding a directorship that will foster awareness of supply chain management for students while producing new synergies with industry, the money will support scholarships and a new student association geared toward experiential learning and networking opportunities. WLU
Keyano draws western, Indigenous knowledge together in environmental monitoring program
Keyano College has launched a new environmental monitoring program in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta that brings together western science and Indigenous knowledge. The program was launched in October, and its first group of students are studying in Fort Chipewyan, a Cree, Dene, and Métis community that has long raised concerns about pollution and low water levels. “I jumped at it,” said Kevin Marten, a member of the Mikisew Cree First Nation and one of the program’s first students. “The people who do the testing feel passionate about it and that's what I want. I want to be part of something.” Keyano Instructor Sithara Fernando acknowledged the tension between western science and Indigenous traditional knowledge, but said that the tension made the students stronger. CBC
USherbrooke celebrates successful $115M campaign
The Université de Sherbrooke has celebrated the successful completion of its “D'avenirs et de passions” campaign. The campaign raised a total of $115M, of which $26M came from the university community. Sherbrooke recteur Pierre Cossette stated that the donations have enabled the university to implement over fifty projects that had a concrete impact on the lives of the entire population. The projects include a new entrepreneurial accelerator, laboratories, research chairs, and more. USherbrooke | Radio Canada
