April 25, 2023

McGill University and the Mohawk Mothers have reached an agreement that will initiate an investigation into potential unmarked graves and burials on the former Royal Victoria Hospital site. The agreement will ensure that the “appropriate archeological techniques” are used to detect whether there are graves on the site and will bind the parties to follow the recommendations of the panel of archaeologists responsible for the work. Federal Independent Special Interlocutor Kimberly Murray, whose mandate focuses on unmarked burial sites across Canada, expressed optimism about the arrangement and described the settlement agreement as representing “concrete action by all parties.”

A University of Winnipeg librarian has become a two-time Jeopardy! champion. UWinnipeg Library Associate Dean Emma Hill Kepron has been a fan of the show since she was a teenager and was invited to appear on the show in January. Hill Kepron strategically made a low wager in the Final Jeopardy segment and won after a question stumped all three participants. “I had told myself I would be happy with any outcome,” said Hill Kepron, “but winning was definitely a relief, and I’m glad I didn’t embarrass myself or go viral.” So far, Hill Kepron has earned $26K in winnings, which she says will go towards something “pragmatic” such as landscaping.

The University of Guelph issued an evacuation alert yesterday for part of its campus in response to a security risk at the institution. CBC reports that police were made aware of a bomb threat at the institution. Three on-campus buildings—Rozanski Hall, the Bullring, and the Landscape Architecture building—were evacuated in the morning. Exams that were scheduled to be held in Rozanski Hall on Monday were largely rescheduled or moved to other locations on campus. Global News reports that Guelph police officers were on the scene to assist the university. The university encouraged community members to avoid the area. No explosive device was found and the alert was ended at 2:50 PM.

The University of Alberta’s Heroes in Mind, Advocacy and Research Consortium (HiMARC) program will be receiving over $3M over five years from the Government of Alberta to advance innovative treatment options for those who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The consortium will provide Albertans who have served in the military and have PTSD with treatment using motion-assisted, multimodal memory desensitization and reconsolidation. This will include viewing images using virtual reality while walking on a treadmill and receiving support from a therapist.

Simon Fraser University has received a $5M contribution from the City of Burnaby to support the construction of the First Peoples’ Gathering House on the Burnaby campus. The project, which is expected to be complete in 2024, will serve as a culturally appropriate ceremonial space for Indigenous cultural events and foster connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. “Reconciliation is a shared responsibility, and I am grateful for every partner and collaborator who is helping us build a safe and welcoming cultural space for Indigenous students, faculty, staff and community members,” said SFU President Joy Johnson.

Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) has invested $2M in seven projects that were proposed by 10 postsecondary institutions. IPON’s pilot project is part of the Commercialization Mandate Policy Framework, which helps postsecondary institutions to advance research and innovation for the benefit of Ontario. The institutions that are receiving funding include Collège La Cité, Conestoga College, Durham College, Lakehead University, Lambton College, Laurentian University, Niagara College, Trent University, and York University.

Okanagan College officially broke ground on two new student housing projects in Salmon Arm and Vernon and shared its plans for a new childcare centre on its Vernon campus. “This is a huge day for Okanagan College,” said Okanagan President Neil Fassina. “It will be the first student housing and childcare facility for our Vernon campus, which is going to enable our students to focus on what is important – and that is their learning.” Castanet reports that the college is also constructing a 216-bed project in Kelowna. All three student housing projects are expected to open in Fall 2024.

The Government of New Brunswick’s Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour recently tabled its $668M budget for 2023-24. The budget is a $12.5M increase over last year. Increased funding will be provided for university operating budgets (2% increase), performance-based funding (up to 1.5% increase), and the New Brunswick Student Loan and the New Brunswick Bursary to align with the cost of living. The department will also hire additional apprenticeship officers to increase services and foster labour force growth in priority skilled trades.

Athabasca University and Northern Lakes College have established a partnership that will address the need for registered nurses in rural areas of Alberta. Graduates of Northern Lakes’ Practical Nurse program will be able enter AU’s post-LPN Bachelor of Nursing program and acquire the skills and credentials needed to become a registered nurse (RN). Both programs are offered primarily or fully online, enabling students to study while staying in their communities across northern AB. “By creating even more pathways to a nursing education, we can continue to be part of the solution to the health care needs of Albertans,” said AU Faculty of Health Disciplines Interim Dean Dr Steven Johnson.

The Government of Prince Edward Island is offering free meningitis B vaccines to postsecondary students living in residence. University of Prince Edward Island and Holland College students can get the vaccines at their respective institutions, while Health PEI Public Health Nursing will administer vaccines to students who are attending postsecondary outside the province. “Post-secondary aged students living in residence are at higher risk of developing invasive meningococcal disease due to their age in combination with the number of students residing together in close quarters,” said PEI Chief Public Health Officer Dr Heather Morrison.