August 1, 2024

Mohawk College has announced that it intends to expand its academic operations into the City of Burlington. The college recently formalized a Letter of Understanding with the City of Burlington and Burlington Economic Development to develop new learning hubs and campuses throughout the city. “Burlington is a vibrant and growing community, with impressive residential, commercial and industrial growth, but is not currently home to a public community college,” said Mohawk President Paul Armstrong. “We are excited to extend the college’s world-class post-secondary training into Burlington.” Mohawk stated that the multi-phase expansion will roll out over several years, with more details to be provided as plans take shape.

Dalhousie University reopened yesterday after closing its campus Monday evening. According to a statement from Dal, members of the pro-Palestinian encampment occupied the Kenneth C Rowe Management Building on Monday, thereby failing to comply with the trespass notices issued by the university last week. Dal Security and the Halifax Regional Police cleared the building of protesters and dismantled the remaining tents from the Studley Quad. Police Constable John MacLeod told CTV News that the organizers of the encampment left peacefully.

Brandon University has officially responded to the series of allegations made by a former instructor against the university, its staff, and its students. The statement from BrandonU Provost and VP Academic Kofi Campbell asserts that some news outlets that published the story presented “unproven and at times false allegations” and maintained that each case of academic misconduct has been investigated thoroughly and in accordance with institutional policies. “Our students do not deserve to have their integrity questioned in such a vague yet potentially damaging manner, and Brandon University strongly condemns the fact that this has happened,” concluded Campbell.

Northlands College has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Cape Breton University to deliver a Master of Business Administration in Community Economic Development (MBA in CED) program at the college’s campus in La Ronge. The MBA in CED will be tailored toward leaders and administrators in Northern Saskatchewan and will be delivered in a weekend format so that it is accessible for working professionals. It will cover fundamental business subjects, as well as the application of business and management concepts using a community economic development lens. “The MBA in CED will empower local and regional leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to drive economic and social development across Northern Saskatchewan,” said Northlands President Karsten Henriksen. The program will begin in January 2025.

The Government of Ontario recently announced that the development of two new student residence buildings at Western University will benefit from the exemptions provided by Bill 185, reports CTV News. ON stated that the residence development will be expedited under Bill 185, which exempts these developments from planning-related laws. “While Western continues to consult with neighbours and our municipal partners, Bill-185 ensures that these projects can proceed without procedural delays,” said Western VP of Operations and Finance Lynn Logan. CBC reports that Western will open the residences by September 2026, as originally planned.

Karen MacGregor of University World News has published a new article highlighting ways that faculty members can support sustainability efforts. Drawing on the results of the Sustainability Literacy Test, MacGregor discusses the varied attitudes and perspectives that faculty bring to the topic, their training and learning needs, and the initiatives that faculty are already undertaking at their institutions. MacGregor highlights several ways that faculty can support sustainability, including working together on interdisciplinary sustainability projects; engaging in open dialogue to tackle resistance and polarization; and sharing success stories and case studies.

The Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC) has announced a $1M investment into the Grand River Post Secondary Education Office (GRPSEO) to support Indigenous postsecondary education. GRPSEO will use the funds to increase its general scholarship fund by $50K per year for 20 years. The investment increases the total amount pledged by SNGRDC to $2.48M. “We are happy to further our commitment to education within Six Nations for the next 20 years alongside GRPSEO, knowing that this contribution will help pave the way for a brighter future for students of the Six Nations community,” said SNGRDC President and CEO Matt Jamieson.

The Government of Manitoba is increasing its student aid shelter allowance to more accurately reflect housing costs. Starting today, Manitoba Student Aid shelter allowances will be aligned with 2022 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) rental data. Shelter allowances are used to calculate MSA applicants’ expenses, which in turn is used to determine student financial needs and funding amounts. “With the rising cost of everything, additional funds towards accommodation costs will be a great help to students,” said University of Manitoba Indigenous Student Centre Director Carla Loewen. “For Indigenous students who have never lived in the city before, navigating the cost of living can be challenging and daunting at first. Additional student aid will help with managing financial needs.”

Holland College Foundation has received a $500K leadership gift from the Saint Dunstan’s University Board of Governors to enhance educational opportunities, reduce barriers for learners, and support student health and wellness. Half of the gift will be used to support a student wellness centre that will centralize academic supports, primary health care, and mental health services, while the rest will establish an endowment that will fund entrance awards for students from Prince Edward Island who face academic or mental health challenges that create a barrier to postsecondary education.

Concordia University and the Concordia Association of Research Employees (CARE) have formalized the renewal of their collective agreement. The new agreement includes annual increases to the wages of the research associates, research assistants, and support staff represented by CARE. CARE praised the new accord for recognizing the essential contributions of its membership, while Concordia Manager of Employee and Labour Relations Claude Bourke added that the new agreement reflects the university’s commitment to research. “We believe that the changes to the collective agreement will help to recruit and retain skilled research talent, further enhancing Concordia’s research impact,” said Bourke. The agreement is effective retroactively from June 2022 to May 2026.