June 8, 2021
Ryerson University has announced that its statue of Egerton Ryerson, which was toppled at a rally this weekend, “will not be restored or replaced.” “It’s important this statue has come down so we can raise awareness to what has been going on since the 1800s and the incorporation of the residential school system,” said Craig St Denis, a Cree whose grandfather had been in the residential school system. The Standing Strong (Mash Koh Wee Kah Pooh Win) Task Force has issued a statement indicating that it is committed to carrying out its mandate of recommending actions that Ryerson can take in to respond to Egerton Ryerson’s legacy. “I ask our community to respect [the committee's] work and to engage with them as we should engage with all matters at our university — through dialogue, debate and the exchange of ideas,” said Ryerson President Mohamed Lachemi.
Ryerson (President) |
Ryerson (Committee) |
BBC |
CBC (ON)
A targeted attack on a Muslim family in London, Ontario has killed four people and injured a nine-year-old boy. The
London Free Press reports that one of the family members had recently completed post-graduate work in environmental science at Western University. “We are enraged and heartbroken at the news of a racist attack on members of London’s Muslim community,” read a joint statement from the leaders of Western University, Brescia University College, Huron University College, and King’s University College. “Racism has no place in this city, this province, this country.” A 20-year-old white man has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.
London Free Press |
CBC |
The Toronto Star (ON)
Researchers from Brandon University, Simon Fraser University, and the University of Windsor will be joining a collaboration led by Sioux Valley Dakota Nation (SVDN): The Brandon Residential School Cemeteries Project. The project seeks to identify the names of children buried at the Brandon Indian Residential School in unmarked graves. The project will use forensic methods, archival research, and survivor interviews to identify and repatriate the children and provide healing and closure for the families. “There is hurt and pain in our community today,” said SFU Professor Eldon Yellowhorn. “However, I would like people to know that we are not powerless here. We have put together a world-class team of archaeologists, geneticists, physical and forensic anthropologists, and archival researchers. Our team brings together the kind of expertise that is needed to remedy this situation.”
SFU |
BrandonU |
UWindsor (BC | MB | ON)
The Government of Quebec has announced that it will be tightening the rules for Montreal region non-subsidized private colleges in order to better supervise these institutions and address their “shortcomings.” The move comes in response to audits that uncovered discrepancies between reported and actual enrolment numbers, as well as "questionable practices" in areas such as recruitment, business practices, governance, and teaching conditions. In response, QC will impose student limits on private colleges, inspect institutions several times a year, tighten legislation on private education, and potentially integrate French into the training students receive. “These combined measures will allow us … to ensure that the services provided by our private colleges are for training purposes and … to protect international students,” said QC Higher Education Minister Danielle McCann.
Montreal Gazette (QC)
St Lawrence College has announced that it will be reorganizing its Academic Division. Programs will be sorted into clusters of complementary programs, which will be led by deans and associate deans and will be aligned with industry, labour market, and global trends. The move will also position SLC for growth. “Our new tri-campus program approach will support better co-ordination and mobilization of our academic division, which will allow us to play a crucial role in advancing opportunities within each of our communities,” said Eileen De Courcy, senior VP academic. “We will be better poised to support our current and future students and address challenges related to social issues, economic and environmental sustainability.” The changes will go into effect in July.
SLC |
Trentonian (ON)
The
University Pension Plan (UPP) should take steps to align its investment strategy with a 1.5 C pathway, write Paul Downes of the University of Toronto, Andrea Paras of the University of Guelph, and Marcus Taylor of Queen’s University. The authors explain that divesting from fossil fuels will reduce financial risk, and call for the plan to consider the sustainability of new and existing investments. The authors call for the UPP to commit to decarbonization to safeguard the long-term health of faculty and staff pensions. “Fiduciary duty and the climate emergency demand that the UPP demonstrate leadership and establish a model all Canadian financial institutions can follow,” write the authors.
National Observer (National)
The University of Guelph’s G360 Institute has received $10M from long-time benefactor Edward (Ted) Morwick in support of training, research, innovation, and infrastructure related to the protection of groundwater supplies. The gift will support several initiatives at the institution, including renovations and improvements to the Bedrock Aquifer Field Facility, which will be renamed the Morwick Groundwate Research Centre; the creation of the Morwick Chair in Sustainable Groundwater Research; and the creation of student research assistantships in water and climate change research.
UoGuelph (ON)
Yukon University has announced that it has received donations and funds in support of two new institutes at the university: a Permafrost Institute at the YukonU Research Centre and an Institute of Indigenous Self-Determination (IISD). A five-year, $400K commitment from BMO Financial Group toward the Permafrost Institute will allow the university to expand its research and help northern communities address the effects of climate change. A $100K donation from the Power Corporation of Canada will go toward the development of the IISD, which will support the design of a mentorship program for those who are engaged in Human Resources, Lands, or Finance within their First Nations government.
YukonU (YK)
The University of Windsor has announced that it will be renaming of one of its student residence buildings to drop its ties to John A Macdonald. A committee was established over a year ago to
review the name of Macdonald Hall, and the committee has announced that the name has been changed to Residence Hall West. “The board of governors believes that reconciliation efforts with Indigenous communities and the protection of vulnerable populations on campus must be a priority,” said UWindsor Board Chair Jonathan Allison. “The former name of this residence is no longer consistent with our mission as an academic community, and its renaming, we believe, is a step forward in reimagining a campus where all are welcomed, acknowledged and included.”
CBC (ON)
CBC reports that three former University of British Columbia students have been charged with sexual assault related to an incident that took place in 2018. CBC reports that Treymont Levy, Trivel Pinto, and Ben Cummings, who had been part of UBC’s football team, have each been charged with one count of sexual assault that reportedly occurred at a campus residence, and that Levy has been charged with an additional count of voyeurism. “UBC Athletics and the entire university are shocked and saddened by the allegations in this case,” said Ainsley Carry, VP Students at UBC. “Sexual violence has no place here at UBC and I can tell you those accused are no longer students at the university.” The three men are in police custody and are expected to appear in provincial court at a later date.
UBC |
CBC (BC)
rtraction