February 28, 2025

To reduce barriers to higher education, Booth University College has launched the Shelter University (Shelter U) pilot project. This initiative offers free university-level, non-credit courses to individuals who are experiencing poverty and searching for stable housing. All course expenses—including textbooks, field trips, and laptops—are covered by private donations and a grant from the Winnipeg Foundation. As the first rollout of this pilot project, Booth will provide a weekly music sociology course at the Salvation Army’s Winnipeg Centre of Hope. Booth Instructor Aaron Klassen, who is leading the course, explained that this pilot is meant to challenge the “ivory-tower model” of education. “The most important thing for me was that (our clients) were students. They get the same exact treatment that any university student would get,” said Winnipeg Centre of Hope Executive Director Mark Stewart.

Western University is launching a Black studies major this Fall. The program is designed to be flexible enough that students can incorporate it as a double major if they choose. Students in the major can choose from more than 50 courses, including a collaborative course created by faculty at York University, Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Windsor, and Western. “There are many different ways you could approach it so students can follow their interests,” said Western Associate Professor W G Pearson. “There also may be students who want to understand their own community better or gain insight on one they don’t know as well.”

In a recent article for University Affairs, Derek Messacar (Memorial University) assesses women’s representation and compensation in full-time faculty positions at Canadian universities over the last 50 years. Drawing on Statistics Canada data, Messacar finds that women’s representation in the university sector has increased between 1970 and 2022. Despite these gains, the author points out that women remain underrepresented in STEM fields, are less likely to hold administrative responsibilities than men, and more likely than men to work in low-paying departments. Messacar also underlines that women still earn about $5K less than men in the same positions. The author concludes by suggesting that institutions can address these wage gaps by implementing pay equity adjustments and reducing pay disparities across departments.

Fanshawe College and Selkirk College recently initiated staffing adjustments and program changes to address their respective projected deficits. Fanshawe, which forecasted a $35M deficit in early February, has implemented a hiring freeze and announced that an early retirement program will be unveiled in March. Program and staff cuts will be announced after the college receives a forthcoming review that is set to identify the programs that qualify for post-graduate work permits. Selkirk announced earlier this month that it would reduce its overall expenses by $9M. Grand Forks Gazette reports that the college has begun to lay off employees as part of this measure. So far, Selkirk has reportedly laid off or not renewed contracts for eight people. The college is also reportedly suspending intakes for several programs.

According to La Presse, Government of Québec Higher Education Minister Pascale Déry questioned Vanier College instructors and administrators last Fall about the content of a course on Palestinian literature. This is the second such incident in recent months: Déry was also accused of political interference at Dawson College after reports surfaced last week about her alleged intervention in a course on Palestine. In an interview with La Presse, Déry defended her approach, stating that she has a right to ask questions about courses, particularly given the ongoing tensions on campuses. However, others—including the Fédération nationale des enseignantes et des enseignants—have denounced her actions and called on the minister to uphold, rather than undermine, academic freedom.

The Prairie Polytechnic Innovation Network Accelerating Commercialization for Local Ecosystems (P2INACLE) will receive just under $900K from PrairiesCan. P2INACLE is led by Saskatchewan Polytechnic and involves the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Northwestern Polytechnic, Red Deer Polytechnic, Red River College Polytech, and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. With this funding, the network will engage with the International Minerals Innovation Institute on a pilot project to create a collaborative network that will fund and work on applied research projects. “This funding will enable P2INACLE to address mining industry issues swiftly and efficiently, providing access to a wide range of experts and quickly distributing funds,” said Sask Polytech President Dr Larry Rosia.

Conestoga College, the University of Waterloo, and the University of Windsor have collaborated to create a new online resource that aims to help Canadian organizations build stronger connections with Indigenous employees. The “Building Trust with Indigenous Employees: the Indigenous Workways Toolkit” provides six self-guided training modules that offer insights into the worldviews and workplace experiences of Indigenous peoples. It also includes three manuals with information about how to support cultural safety for Indigenous employees, develop mentorship networks, and guide organizational outreach. It was developed over six years; all corresponding research was conducted with guidance from Indigenous Elders, an advisory council, and a team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars.

Cape Breton University and the Nova Scotia Community College have strengthened their existing partnership by renewing nine articulation agreements and signing a new one. These agreements facilitate pathways for NSCC students in degree programs to transition seamlessly to CBU degree programs. As part of this partnership, these transfer students will also be eligible for enhanced financial support, including two new Dean’s Transfer Scholarships and five new entrance awards. “With such a growing, dynamic economy, there’s never been a more important time to ensure we all work together to encourage beneficial education pathways that allow for greater mobility, opportunity, and flexibility,” said NSCC President Don Bureaux.

Red Deer Polytechnic has announced that it will offer its Practical Nurse Diploma program in Camrose at the Campus Alberta Central community partner site, starting this Fall. Students of this expanded program will complete their theory courses online and conduct their labs in-person in Camrose. Half of the program’s seats will be reserved for students from the Camrose area. “Our Practical Nurse Diploma is a high-demand program, we often see waitlists for the program offered at our main campus in Red Deer,” said RDP Dean, School of Health and Wellness Heather Dirks. “By expanding our program to community sites through Campus Alberta Central, we are able educate more nurses, while also addressing the rural nursing shortage that we are experiencing in Alberta.”

Heritage College and Seminary is celebrating the official opening of the Heritage Theological Seminary building. To mark this milestone, the institution is hosting a grand opening celebration evening with worship and refreshments and an opening day which will showcase the new building. At both events, Heritage will be highlighting its history and sharing its future goals. “To us, this is not just a new building on campus,” read the news release from Heritage. “This is the next chapter for Heritage.”