September 15, 2021
The Dawson College community, survivors, and families of the victims marked the 15th anniversary of the Dawson shooting earlier this week. While there was no formal memorial because of COVID-19,
Global News reports that people were invited to visit the Peace Garden at the college, which was created to honour the life of Anastasia De Sousa and those affected by the shooting in 2006. “It’s still very sad,” said Meaghan Hennegan, who survived being shot that day, “but at the same time, you know, every year I get to look at where I am right now and be really proud of it.”
CTV News states that survivors of the Dawson shooting and École Polytechnique massacre in 1989 have urged the federal parties to take a stance on gun control for this election
The Suburban |
Global News |
CTV News (1) |
CTV News (2) (QC)
The University of British Columbia Okanagan has launched a Bachelor of Sustainability degree. Students in the program will focus on sustainability as they learn about addressing environmental challenges through hands-on, community-based learning. The four-year program combines an interdisciplinary approach with four focused concentrations: environmental analytics, environmental conservation and management, environmental humanities, and green chemistry. “This is the type of learning opportunity that prepares students to become the innovators and leaders needed to meet the environmental challenges that we face now, and in the future,” says the program’s inaugural director Dr Kevin Hanna. UBCO says that the program is the first of its kind in Canada.
UBCO (BC)
York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering and Scotiabank have announced that they have partnered on initiatives to support computer security research and advance equity, diversity, and inclusion in STEM fields. Scotiabank has invested $980K in a variety of initiatives, including YorkU’s Global Financial Crimes Research Fund, Computer Security Program Fund, Kindergarten to Industry Academy, and Helen Carswell STEAM Program for Women. “This contribution reflects the shared commitment of York and Scotiabank to supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM fields and to advancing the ground-breaking work of our researchers in the field of financial crime prevention,” said YorkU President Rhonda Lenton. In recognition of Scotiabank’s gift, YorkU announced the newly renamed Scotiabank Lassonde Financial Crimes Research Initiative, which supports research on global financial crimes.
YorkU (ON)
Nine postsecondary institutions across Alberta have announced plans to require COVID-19 vaccines for those on campus, and will no longer be accepting rapid testing as an alternative to vaccination. The University of Alberta, University of Calgary, University of Lethbridge, Medicine Hat College, MacEwan University, NorQuest College, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, and Mount Royal University will be adopting the enhanced safety measures. Students, staff, and visitors who will be on campus will also be required to prove their vaccination status.
See vaccination mandates made to date on the Academica Forum. CBC |
Edmonton Journal |
Lethbridge Herald (AB)
Administrators who have recently made midcareer moves can use a variety of techniques to better adjust to their new institution and location, writes Cynthia Wu. The author argues that institutions hiring people from midcareer backgrounds often plan for them to fill a leadership position in the future. Wu encourages staff who have moved to commit to listening and learning in their first year, be a supportive ally to colleagues, and recognize that they will make mistakes. The author also emphasizes the importance of keeping in touch with former colleagues while adjusting to their new institution and home.
Inside Higher Ed (Editorial)
The Government of British Columbia has launched new training materials that faculty and staff can use to better support students who are experiencing mental health crises. BCcampus’ Let’s Talk about Suicide: Raising Awareness and Supporting Students is a digital anti-stigma resource that raises awareness about how to support students. The tool provides case scenarios that participants can use to practice providing support to students in crisis, and that can be used in training sessions or as individual study. “Now more than ever, post-secondary students, faculty and staff need access to mental health supports,” said Sheila Malcolmson, BC Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “This new suicide prevention resource will help faculty and staff start courageous conversations with students, so that people who are struggling know someone cares, and that there is help and hope.”
BC |
BCcampus |
Kamloops BC Now (BC)
Ryerson University President Mohamed Lachemi has announced the advisory committee that will guide Ryerson’s renaming. The committee’s representatives include individuals from the Senate and Board of Governors as well as undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff, and alumni. “If you look at the diversity of the committee, it’s a reflection of the diversity of our entire community,” said Lachemi. “So we have representation from Indigenous people, representation from our Black community and representation from everybody.” Ryerson plans to announce a new name by the end of the 2021-22 academic year.
Ryerson |
The Eye Opener (ON)
Conestoga College has partnered with Intact Public Entities to launch the Municipal Risk Management micro-credential. Students taking the micro-credential will learn about municipal liabilities and risk management strategies. The micro-credential will be delivered online with courses held in the evenings in order to be accessible to working students. “As one of more than 60 unique micro-credentials offered college-wide, the Municipal Risk Management micro-credential is an excellent example of how the college works directly with industry to tailor learning opportunities to meet the needs of students and the current labour market,” said Conestoga President John Tibbits.
Conestoga (ON)
Simon Fraser University has announced that it has attained Fair Trade Gold Campus status for the second year in a row. SFU says that Fairtrade Canada and the Canadian Fair Trade Network have recognized it as meeting the Fair Trade Gold Campus criteria, and that the designation was achieved due to the efforts of SFU Ancillary Services and the student Fair Trade Ambassadors. “We know our actions are having an impact not only in the global south but also on other campuses across the country,” said Mark McLaughlin, Chief Commercial Services Officer, SFU Ancillary Services. “The choices we make more than ever can have a meaningful and wide-reaching impact on producers and local businesses.” SFU states that it is Canada’s only Fair Trade Gold Campus.
SFU (BC)
McGill University and Georgian College’s Barrie campus had heavy police presences on Tuesday morning due to threats. McGill evacuated three buildings at its downtown campus as Montreal police responded to a suspicious package that was found on campus. Montreal police said that the suspicious package was determined to be an empty box, and gave an all clear by 10:45AM. Georgian was under lockdown on Tuesday morning as Barrie Police conducted an investigation on campus. Georgian asked staff and students not to come to campus until further notice, and sent their lockdown procedure out to students. An all-clear was given shortly after 10:00AM.
Global News (McGill) |
CTV News (Georgian) |
Collingwood Today (Georgian) (ON|QC)
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