Top Ten
May 31, 2021
Western to require COVID-19 vaccinations for students living in residence
Western University has announced that students who are living in residence at Western, Brescia, Huron, and King’s will be required to have the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination for the Fall 2021 semester. Students will be told to get vaccinated before arriving on campus, and those who are unable to access vaccination will have 14 days after moving in to become vaccinated. Western will also have an on-campus vaccination clinic to help community members get their first and second doses of the vaccine. “We want our community to be safe and healthy this fall, as we return to the on-campus experiences we all love,” said Western President Alan Shepard. “Ensuring our students in residence are vaccinated will go a long way toward making this happen.” Western | King’s (ON)
BCIT, CMTN launch anti-racism framework, resources
Two west coast institutions have released new anti-racism initiatives. BCIT has released an Anti-Racism Framework which contains specific actions that the institution will take against racism within its community. The new framework formalizes processes and identifies priority areas for the action plan. CMTN has launched an anti-racism page containing resources and information about community groups to support students who are new to Canada. “We know some students have experienced racism and we want students to know that we are here to support them and connect them to resources in our communities,” said CMTN President Justin Kohlman. BCIT | CMTN (BC)
ON to provide $2.39M to improve access to mental health supports, services for at-risk students
The Government of Ontario has announced that it is providing $2.39M to eight projects that will focus on improving mental health supports and services for Indigenous, Black, and Francophone postsecondary students. Postsecondary institutions receiving support include Confederation College, Western University, Durham College, the University of Ottawa, St Lawrence College, and Canadore College. Additionally, Centre Labelle has received funding to increase the availability of mental health services at Hearst University, and Get-A-Head has received funding to support virtual mental health services for Humber College, Six Nations Polytechnic, and the University of Waterloo. “These new projects will help institutions build better services and partnerships for virtual and on-campus mental health supports - creating the best conditions possible for students to achieve their goals,” said Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities. ON (ON)
Making the invisible labour of faculty of colour visible: Opinion
Postsecondary institutions should take steps to acknowledge the invisible labour done by faculty of colour and to support them in their work, writes Kimberly A Truong. The author explains that the invisible labour of BIPOC faculty includes supporting BIPOC students and staff and connecting with potential students of colour, and that postsecondary institutions should make this work visible. The author notes that faculty workloads should be adjusted to take into account invisible work, and says that some particularly active faculty could be assigned fewer credits because they do more invisible labour. Truong explains that in implementing these guidelines and in having conversations with faculty of colour, invisible labour becomes visible. Inside Higher Ed (Editorial)
Lethbridge revamps Health Care Aide program
Lethbridge College has announced that it has revamped its Health Care Aide program. The new changes will enable students to learn more about pressing healthcare topics, spend more time in clinical and lab experiences, and focus more on complex health issues. The curriculum now includes increased training in palliative care, dementia care, mental health, and addictions. The Health Care Aide program will provide more emphasis on professional development, information technology, and hands-on learning opportunities. The program’s length has been extended from one semester to one full year to provide additional time for students to complete the new curriculum. Lethbridge (AB)
UMoncton Francophone nursing students report issues registering for licensing exams
The University of Moncton’s Francophone nursing graduates are reporting issues registering for their licensing exams. The article says that some UMoncton students had tried to register for the licensing exams after finishing their programs, and found exam slots in New Brunswick were not available this summer. CBC also reports that the exam date has changed several times, making it difficult for students to study, and that some students are studying in English over concerns of the quality of translation on the French test. “It’s just obstacle after obstacle after obstacle,” said Marie-Ève Beaulieu, a UMoncton nursing student. “I’m at the point I’m wondering, ‘Do they really want me? Do they need me?’” The Nurses Association of New Brunswick has promised more clarity soon, and has said that two independent reviews have found the exam’s translation satisfactory. CBC (NB)
Sheridan launches Virtual Production Innovation Hub
Sheridan College’s Screen Industries Research and Training Centre (SIRT) has announced that it has launched a Virtual Production Innovation Hub (VPIH). The VPIH will function as a space where industry leaders, technology partners, and students can collaborate and innovate in the field of virtual production. “The Hub supports all content creators, technology enablers and studios looking to update their workflow for virtual production and see their innovative ideas and concepts come to life in real-time,” said David Dexter, Director of SIRT. “SIRT is also committed, through partnerships like xoTO Screen Industry Pathways, to ensuring that training is inclusive of the industry’s diverse workforce.” SIRT (ON)
ULethbridge launches It’s Worth A Shot! contest for faculty and staff
The University of Lethbridge has announced that it has opened a new edition of the It’s Worth A Shot! contest for its faculty and staff. Faculty and staff will have the opportunity to enter the contest after receiving at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination. Prizes include free reserved parking, ONE Pass memberships, Faculty of Fine Arts ticket packages, and bookstore gift certificates. “Our faculty and staff have worked extraordinarily hard throughout this pandemic to serve our students primarily in an online setting,” said ULethbridge President Mike Mahon. “Everyone has shown great commitment, resilience and adaptability, but there is nothing like starting a new academic year on campus, in person, and together. Our goal is to be able to do that safely.” ULethbridge (AB)
Fanshawe opens new Oral Health Clinic
Fanshawe College has announced that it has opened a new Oral Health Clinic to be used by students in its Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting programs. The state-of-the-art clinic includes 20 dental manikin simulators, a sterilization centre, a dental materials lab, and 16 dental operatories. The clinic will provide preventative oral health services to people in London who are living in poverty or do not have employer paid dental insurance. “[T]his clinic allows us to actualize a long-held dream to provide oral health care to the community while providing research opportunities for our students and faculty,” said Pam McLaughlin, dean, Faculty of Health, Community Studies and Public Safety. “After learning in this lab, our graduates will be prepared to join health care teams in London and beyond.” Fanshawe (ON)
UOttawa, Wesley Clover collaborate on Alacrity Ottawa program
The University of Ottawa has collaborated with Wesley Clover International to launch a new technology business program called Alacrity Ottawa. Alacrity Ottawa will provide graduates of UOttawa’s new Master’s in Entrepreneurial Engineering Design (MEED) with internship opportunities, mentorships, and a network of entrepreneurial expertise. The two-year program will focus on tech solutions and startups in a variety of areas, including 5G+ networking, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and transportation. “The Alacrity Ottawa program will build long-term synergistic relationships between entrepreneurs and investors that will have significant economic and social impact for Ottawa and Canada,” said Sylvain Charbonneau, VP, Research at UOttawa. UOttawa (ON)
