Top Ten
July 30, 2020
St Clair signs cross-border agreement to provide pathways to master’s degree
St Clair College has signed an articulation agreement with Lawrence Tech University that will provide a pathway for St Clair advanced business diploma graduates into two Master’s degree programs at the American university. Specifically, the agreement will allow graduates of the college’s three-year Business Administration diplomas in Marketing, Accounting, Finance, or Human Resources to enter directly into a Master of Business Administration program or Master of Science in Information Technology program at Lawrence Tech. The agreement will also see St Clair students’ application fee waived and the students will receive a 30% discount on tuition and fees. "The fact that Lawrence Tech is also offering our students significant discounts of their tuition and fees will, I believe, lead many St. Clair grads to take advantage of this unique cross-border partnership," said St Clair President Patti France. St Clair (ON, International)
MUN launches Indigenous Research Policy
Memorial University has launched a new Indigenous research policy as part of their ongoing, interconnected work of truth, reconciliation, and renewed relationships with Indigenous peoples. The policy is designed to ensure MUN researchers are accountable to the existing research, priorities, and ethics processes of Indigenous groups, and requires researchers to engage with Indigenous groups at the very start of the research process in order to put them on a good path as projects develop. “This policy formalizes the importance that Memorial University places in creating a reciprocally beneficial partnership that is strengthened through early dialogue and relationship building – one that is designed to create inclusive, responsive and mutually useful research,” said Michele Wood, a community member in Labrador who is Inuk. MUN | CBC (NL)
Western, St Joseph’s partner to create Research Chair in Mobility & Activity
Western University and St Joseph’s Health Care Foundation have partnered to establish the William and Lynne Gray Research Chair in Mobility & Activity within Western’s Faculty of Health Sciences. Described by Western as the first of its kind in Canada, the new position was made possible due to a $2.5M donation from William and Lynne Gray, which Western has matched through its Matching Chairs Program. The Chair will play a central role in the Faculty’s research, which aims to understand, improve, restore, and manage mobility outcomes that affect people throughout all stages of life. “We are thrilled to be growing our partnership with St. Joseph’s and Parkwood and are thankful for this investment in the Faculty of Health Sciences that will help us advance our joint mission of creating better tomorrows,” said Jayne Garland, Faculty of Health Sciences Dean. Western (ON)
UofGuelph to launch Bachelor of Arts in Justice and Legal Studies
The University of Guelph has announced the launch of a new Bachelor of Arts in Justice and Legal Studies for Fall 2021. The program will provide students with an understanding of law and judicial processes in Canada and, in the global context, will enable students to evaluate the relationship between legal institutions, society, and governance. “We have developed an expertise here at U of G in law and politics that extends beyond criminal justice, with the largest faculty complement of law and politics scholars in Canada,” said UofGuelph Professor Troy Riddell. “We want to share that expertise with students so they understand the broader law and justice issues in the stories they’re reading about in the news every day.” UofGuelph (ON)
Low enrolment prompts NBCC to cut some Fall 2020 programming
Due to low enrolment numbers, the New Brunswick Community College has announced that they have had to suspend some of their Fall programming. CBC reports that NBCC’s Saint Andrews campus was especially impacted, as both the culinary arts, hotel and restaurant management program and international travel and tourism program have been suspended. Students entering their second year of the suspended programs will still be able to finish their studies. Other suspended programs include welding, carpentry, and child and youth care. NBCC President Mary Butler attributed low enrolment to the closure of international borders and students’ hesitancy to enrol in programs connected to industries that have been heavily impacted by the pandemic. CBC (NB)
Seven strategies for delivering a successful Fall semester: Opinion
“It’s not too late to make the Fall semester a worthwhile experience for our students,” writes Steven Mintz. In the spirit of making “the best of a bad situation,” the author offers seven strategies for making the Fall semester better than the Spring. These tactics include dividing first-year students into learning communities that share a common interest; employing work-study students as coaches and peer mentors; making career preparation opportunities widely available; and offering large interdisciplinary problem-solving courses. “The institutions that will most successfully navigate today’s treacherous waters are those that will offer and deliver the experience that students and their parents find most compelling,” concludes Mintz. Inside Higher Ed (International)
Canadian students attending US postsecondary continue to weigh their options
Canadian students attending postsecondary education in the United States this Fall are continuing to weigh their options amid continued non-essential border travel bans. While education is considered essential travel, reports indicate that some students have had trouble trying to cross the border, especially those enrolled in summer semester courses that were offered primarily online. Amy Senger, Assistant Director of the University of North Dakota, believes that such challenges should not be a problem given that many American schools will offer some in-person classes. However, students also expressed broader concerns about not being able to bring friends and family across the border to provide support during move-ins and transitions, as well as planning for a 14-day quarantine period when they arrive. Winnipeg Free Press (MB)
Canadore severs ties with WE Schools, to launch new student leadership training program
Canadore College has announced that they have decided to end their relationship with WE Schools amid the escalating controversy surrounding the charity. “After reflection and reassessment, Canadore College has decided to end its relationship with WE,” said Canadore President George Burton. “The college was planning to maintain its affiliation with WE Schools, but the ongoing negative attention around the charity has forced the change of direction.” Burton indicated that Canadore will now embark on a new leadership training program for its students and will announce details regarding a new student leadership training program in the coming weeks. “Canadore College specializes in training, and our professionals will leverage their expertise to create an incredible program — enabling students to continue their leadership development. Student volunteer efforts in the community will continue.” North Bay Nugget (ON)
UQAM launches internal investigation into allegations against professor
Université du Québec à Montréal has opened an internal investigation into a professor after receiving a letter with over 100 signatories. The Journal de Montréal states that a letter signed by former students alleges that Benoit Prégent, a UQAM media school lecturer, had abused his power and engaged in intimidation, threats, and unwanted physical contact with students. Prégent has denied all allegations. UQAM states that it is taking the situation seriously and has taken steps to shed light on the allegations made against the lecturer. Journal de Montréal (QC)
On the importance of sabbaticals amid conversations regarding faculty equality: Opinion
While many postsecondary institutions have rolled out various policies to support faculty research, teaching, and service during the pandemic, W Carson Byrd argues that another aspect of faculty life needs further conversation: sabbaticals. While only certain faculty are able to pursue sabbaticals, Carson Bryd argues that as postsecondary institutions promise to “diversify faculty in the current moment of resurgent racial justice movements,” they must also ensure that faculty of color have the same opportunities and resources to support their careers. The author outlines layers of existing inequalities that surround sabbaticals, including who qualifies for them and the varying length and pay of sabbaticals. “The times clearly call for not simply more racial and ethnic representation among faculty ranks, but also more opportunities, resources and policies for faculty members of all races and ethnicities to pursue their careers in the future,” concludes the author, “not just those faculty privileged enough to have had such opportunities in the past.” Inside Higher Ed (International)
