Top Ten
February 27, 2019
What do people really mean when they talk about Indigenization?
A study out of the University of Alberta has categorized Indigenization initiatives at Canadian universities according to a three-point spectrum. After surveying 25 Indigenous academics, Adam Gaudry and Danielle Lorenz suggest that “Indigenous inclusion”—which focuses on efforts to include more Indigenous staff, faculty, and students—occupies the most moderate point on the spectrum, with decolonial Indigenization—total Indigenous autonomy—situated on the other end. Reconciliation Indigenization, which sits in the centre, involves the legitimation of Indigenous knowledge systems in the academy. Folio explains that Gaudry and Lorenz developed the three-point spectrum to complicate the assumption that Indigenization can be defined as a static or pro forma concept. UAlberta (AB)
New rec centre to deepen UQAR Lévis’ ties to community
The Government of Québec has allocated $4.3M for a new sports and recreation facility at the Université du Québec à Rimouski’s Lévis campus. A release states that the 1,800 square-foot building will feature a gymnasium, multipurpose athletics space, and a training room. Lucie Laflamme, the Lévis campus’ Vice-Rector, said that the new facility will strengthen UQAR’s relationship with the community. In addition to the government investment, UQAR received $1.7M from L’Association générale des étudiantes et des étudiants du campus de Lévis, $1.25M from the city, and $450K from private donors. UQAR (QC)
Rosica resigns from St Michael’s College board after admission of serial plagiarism
Father Thomas Rosica, the spokesman for the Vatican, has resigned from his position on the Collegium of the University of St Michael's College at University of Toronto. Rosica recently admitted to serial plagiarism in his columns and essays from a wide variety of sources, stating in an article in the National Postthat he often lost track of attributions, relied on materials prepared by others, and failed to check or acknowledge sources. “Over the weekend, I received and have respectfully accepted his resignation from the Collegium,” said Collegium Chair Donald McLeod. The Montreal Gazetteadds that the Jesuits of Canada withdrew an invitation for Rosica to receive their Magis Award at an upcoming gala. Montreal Gazette| National Post (ON)
Winter storms at SFU bring renewed calls for gondola
After a flurry of weather-related transit delays, students at Simon Fraser University are resuming their demands for a gondola to the Burnaby Mountain campus. CBC reports that a 2017 feasibility study found a gondola would take 18 months to build at a cost of $193M, minus $34.5M for the buses removed from service. “Relatively speaking it's a modest capital cost and results in operating savings and other benefits,” said SFU VP External Relations Joanne Curry. Translink, the region’s transit authority, said that it has included an SFU gondola in its 10-year vision, and that the plan needs more development and public consultation before it can be considered for funding and approval by the Mayors' Council. CBC (BC)
Friendships should be institutional priority for international students: Sanchez
When an international student has traveled across the globe to study at an institution, they will need to “cope with a bunch of things which are ‘new’” from culture to pedagogy to currency. However, Sophia Sanchez notes that making friends “could be one of the hardest mountains to climb” for international students as they come up against disparate backgrounds, prejudices and biases held by local students and staff, language barriers, and homesickness. Sanchez writes that a multicultural campus seeks to build a vibrant community where all members become cross-cultural representatives, widening students’ world views and establishing the building blocks of multicultural societies. The author provides recommendations on helping local and international students make friends with one another. Inside Higher Ed (International)
Partnership heralds a new chapter at GBC
George Brown College has signed a partnership agreement with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. A release states that GBC has also launched an ASHRAE chapter, and that it will host a conference for the professional body in May. “Bringing an ASHRAE event here in the first few months of membership is a big deal,” said GBC Director of Partnerships Claudius Brown. “In a sense, it gives us an opportunity to bring the world to us. ASHRAE members will now recognize us, and see who we are, as we grow this partnership with them.” GBC (ON)
Okanagan College Revelstoke to pilot new Tourism Management Diploma program
Okanagan College is piloting its new Tourism Management Diploma program in Revelstoke, British Columbia. The Revelstoke Mountaineer states that the program will include training in the hotel and restaurant sector, as well as co-ops and work placement. “Revelstoke has a vibrant, healthy well-respected tourism sector. It’s a big thing for the college to be able to bring in a tourism program,” said Mary Kline, program coordinator for Okanagan College Revelstoke. The Mountaineer adds that the program is currently in its recruitment phase, with a start date slated for either 2019 or 2020. Revelstoke Mountaineer (BC)
Humber, Collège Boréal join education assistant program
Walmart Canada has partnered with Humber College as part of AdvancED, an education assistance program for Walmart employees and their eligible family members. A release states that employees who attend an accredited Canadian college or university are eligible to receive a $2.5K tuition reimbursement per year in addition to a 20% tuition reimbursement for courses taken at Humber or their network of educational partners. In addition, the AdvancED network of post-secondary institutions will offer programs and courses in both English and French, with Collège Boréal signing on as the initiative’s first French partner institution. Newswire | Humber (ON)
VIU Indigenous health care program addresses labour shortage
An Indigenous Health Care Assistant Program at Vancouver Island University has secured employment for 100% of its first cohort. A release states that the Kw’am Kw’um Shhwuli (Strong Health, Well-being) Health Care Assistant program at VIU Cowichan, which launched in early 2018, includes adult basic education upgrading and Hul’qumi’num language lessons, one-year of Health Care Assistant certificate training, and eight weeks of workshops and field trips to support transitions to the workplace. “It’s unique in that we took a university program and built into it the components that our First Nations community partners identified as critical to meet the their needs and ensure success for their students,” said Administrative Coordinator Nancy Hamilton. “Training more people in this industry is critical as we face an increasing shortage of health care workers.” VIU (BC)
Arbitrator awards Ryerson Faculty Association contract extension
The Ryerson Faculty Association has been awarded a two-year contract extension by an arbitrator that will expire on June 30, 2020. The award included sector-comparable salary increases, funds for the provision of retirement benefits and for addressing gender pay gaps, and a voluntary retirement initiative. The Association and the university have been directed to meet and discuss issues pertaining to teaching stream appointments prior to the next round of bargaining. OCUFA (ON)
