Top Ten
May 16, 2019
U of T Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre supports public conversation with summary report
The University of Toronto’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre has contributed to the pool of publicly available data on campus sexual violence by releasing a summary of its activities for the past two years. According to the summary, the Centre received 56 reports of sexual violence under the university’s policy on sexual violence and sexual harassment between Jan 1, 2017 and Dec 31, 2018, and 506 “requests for support” from students, staff and over the same period. U of T adds that a province-wide survey on sexual violence in colleges and universities found that 63.2% of respondents reported “one or more incidents of sexual harassment since the beginning of the academic year.” At U of T, that number was 58.7%. U of T (ON)
Cégep de Baie-Comeau locked down following online threats
A 42-year-old man has been arrested at his home after he made threats and disturbing remarks about Cégep de Baie-Comeau on social media. The CEGEP was locked down in response to the threats as police established a large security perimeter around the institution’s campus. The Journal de Montréalreports that containment measures were gradually lifted in the afternoon, but adds that a police deployment remained on site. CPE Les Petits Bécots and Serge-Bouchard High School, both located near the CEGEP, were also locked down as a safety precaution. Journal de Montréal | TVA Nouvelles (QC)
New URegina data centre collaboration to improve programming, policy decisions
The University of Regina, in collaboration with the Government of Saskatchewan and Statistics Canada, has opened the Regina Research Data Centre. A release states that the secured facility allows qualified researchers to access confidential data on issues such as population, household services, and health. "This rich data source truly opens up the possibilities for faculty and graduate student research, while having these data sets at my fingertips also means I can incorporate experiential learning into the classroom, enhancing educational opportunities for me and my students," said URegina Associate Professor of Economics Harminder Guliana. URegina adds that the Ministry of Corrections and Policing is providing the Centre with $250K a year over five years. SK | StarPhoenix | CBC (SK)
AU Arts bestows its first honorary degree on world-famous Indigenous artist
Alberta University of the Arts has conferred its first honorary degree since transitioning from the Alberta College of Art and Design. The recipient of the Honorary Master of Fine Arts is Alex Janvier, a world-renowned Indigenous artist and ACAD alum. An AU Arts release notes that Janvier, who is Denesuline from Cold Lake First Nations, Treaty 6 Territory, graduated in 1960 with a Fine Arts Diploma, and was ACAD’s first Indigenous graduate. “This is a historic and exciting moment for our almost 100-year-old institution,” said AU Arts President Daniel Doz, who also referred to the graduation of the university’s first 200 students since its transition to university status. AU Arts (AB)
Suggestions to recover the humanities: Roth
"Excessive professionalization" and "overinsularization" are two key culprits in the crisis that currently plagues the humanities, writes Michael S Roth. Citing recent arguments by Mark Bauerlein and Michael Massing, Roth proposes that humanities scholars must rediscover the "momentous" and "adventurous" spirit of humanities research that resonates beyond the ivory tower. The author concludes by turning to John Dewey, who in the early twentieth century implored philosophers to deploy critical thought as a means to "change the trajectory of our societies by ensuring that the achievements we seek become building blocks not just for the few -- that the futures being built embody shared values and ideals." Inside Higher Ed (International)
NorQuest introduces new programs following consultations with labour market stakeholders
Norquest College has announced a slate of new and upcoming programming. According to a release, the new courses were developed in consultation with industry stakeholders such as frontline workers, supervisors, managers, and executives to ensure direct school-to-career pathways for students. New programs include Teaching English as an Additional Language (post-baccalaureate certificate); Interdisciplinary Therapy Assistant (diploma); Business Administration with a finance specialization (diploma); Settlement Studies (diploma); Disability Studies (diploma); Environment Protection Technology (diploma); Veterinary Office Assistant (certificate); Dental Office Assistant (certificate); Optical Office Assistant (certificate); Health Care Leadership (post-diploma certificate); and new courses in Arts and Sciences. NorQuest (AB)
SFU receives funding for French programming
Simon Fraser University’s Office of Francophone and Francophile Affairs has received $3M from the Government of Canada to expand its French programming up to 2020. SFU states that it is the only university in the province to offer studies in French in various disciplines. "We aspire to be the university of choice for all students graduating from French immersion, French second-language programs and French-language schools in BC," explained OFFA Director Gino LeBlanc. "Our university programs complete BC’s French education continuum here at SFU: from early childhood to post-secondary." SFU | Newswire (BC)
UoGuelph appoints first Barrett Chair in Sustainable Food Engineering with $5M gift
The University of Guelph has appointed Kevin Keener as the inaugural Barrett Family Foundation Chair in Sustainable Food Engineering. According to a UoGuelph release, the Chair is intended to develop an innovative research program in sustainable food engineering and to lead food engineering research and training. "I see this exciting and dynamic opportunity to build partnerships between the University, the Ontario government and food manufacturers to tackle these global challenges in food and agriculture as unique and highly rewarding," said Keener. UoGuelph adds that the Chair is supported by a $5M donation from the Barrett family. UoGuelph (ON)
Concordia Edmonton moves forward on research, innovation with new centre
Concordia University of Edmonton has officially opened the Allan Wachowich Centre for Science, Research, and Innovation. A Concordia Edmonton release states that the 30,000 square-foot, $15.9M facility features an Indigenous Knowledge & Research Centre, BMO Centre for Innovation and Applied Research, chemistry and biology labs, Centre for Chinese Studies, and Office of Extension and Culture. "This facility opens a new chapter for CUE, one in which our students and professors can research and learn together in ways that were not possible before," stated Concordia Edmonton President Tim Loreman. "The Allan Wachowich Centre for Science, Research, and Innovation places us at the very forefront of innovative, research-driven small universities in Canada." Concordia Edmonton (AB)
ULaval MOOC aims to demystify ADHD
Université Laval has announced that it is offering a new MOOC on the topic of Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) that seeks to better equip parents and educational staff who work with youth aged 5 to 17 living with the disorder. The course is the result of a multidisciplinary collaboration that brought together the school's Faculties of Education, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Social Sciences, as well as external researchers and professionals. The program hopes to demystify ADHD and help students to better understand the disorder’s development and manifestations. La Presse (QC)
