February 12, 2026

EnergeticCity reports that Northern Lights College’s Tumbler Ridge campus, which is located at the Tumbler Ridge Secondary school, will be closed for the remainder of the week after a school shooting in the community. “Our thoughts are with the families and the community of Tumbler Ridge at this time,” the college posted on social media. Across British Columbia and beyond, numerous postsecondary institutions have also lowered their flags, issued statements expressing solidarity with the community, and shared supports following the news. School District 59 also shared supports and created a gathering space at the Tumbler Ridge Community Centre with mental health professionals on site.

Universities need to design, deliver, and market their programs in a way that focuses on value to students, write Loleen Berdahl (University of Saskatchewan) and Marjorie Delbaere (USask). Berdahl and Delbaere explain that from a student perspective, value considers experience, outcomes, and cost. The authors discuss several examples of how institutions can ensure their program design, delivery, and marketing will meet student needs in these areas. “We strongly believe that our programs have tremendous value, but in many cases the value proposition is unclear or misunderstood,” state the authors. “Looking at our programs from a student perspective through a value lens can help us identify ways to improve understanding of this value.”

The Université du Québec à Montréal and Université de Liège in Belgium have partnered on a double master’s degree program in political science. As a part of the program, learners will spend one year at each of the institutions and obtain two degrees. Learners will also have access to the Université de Liège’s subspecialties relating to European policy and emerging economies. UQAM program director Francis Dupuis-Déri explained that the program provides graduates with a wide range of opportunities working with consulates, NGOs, communication, or politics. Dupuis-Déri added that the highly competitive nature of the program is advantageous for those considering doctoral studies.

Two institutions are facing lawsuits related to the termination of senior executives. Former Conestoga College Senior VP Dean Bulloch is reportedly seeking financial damages for “embarrassment, reputational harm, and financial losses.” Bulloch states that he filed a notice of retirement in July 2025, but it was not accepted and he was instead terminated immediately on a without-cause basis. Conestoga asserts that it acted “in good faith” and that the dismissal was part of its restructuring. Former University of Winnipeg president Todd Mondor has filed a statement of claim over his removal in November 2025, alleging that his contract was terminated “in a manner that was misleading, callous, humiliating, and in breach of its duty of good faith.” None of the claims have been tested in court.

Nova Scotia Community College and the Government of Nova Scotia have launched the Institute of Skilled Trades. Supported by a $25M investment, this institute will offer students and apprentices training and equipment with an aim of modernizing and strengthening programming. Both NSCC and the institute will now be guided by an industry-led council focused on improving training quality, transforming learning environments, and supporting graduate and apprentice careers. “This new institute will draw key voices from industry directly into decision-making to ensure programming is even more closely tied to industry needs,” said NSCC President Don Bureaux.

Mount Allison University closed yesterday after a “concerning message” was found on campus that included references to February 11. The university chose to close “out of an abundance of caution,” and all classes and on-campus activities were cancelled. Scheduled midterms have been deferred and will take place during the next scheduled class. Residences and the Jennings Dining Hall remained accessible. In addition to closing for the day, the university increased its campus patrols and security presence.

A recent piece for the Chronicle of Higher Ed discusses some of the strategies and classroom policies that instructors are using to reduce distraction in the classroom. Some instructors used no-tech classroom policies, requiring students to take their notes and annotate texts on paper. Niklaus Steiner (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) said that students have told him that his no-tech classroom policy helps them focus. Other instructors explained that they find it difficult to fully eliminate devices from the classroom or said they encourage students to use whatever technology is helpful for them.

Concordia University has added a certificate option to its Black Studies program. The 30-credit certificate builds on the Black Studies Minor and consists of electives and three core courses: Introduction to Black Studies in the Canadian Context, Black Montreal, and Race and Ethnic Relations. It is open to anyone who is interested, including non-degree learners. Concordia Program Director Christiana Abraham stated that the program invites students “to understand Blackness in Canada through an interdisciplinary lens grounded in both local realities and global connections.”

The University of Guelph has completed its investigation into a graffiti-themed Aggie pub night. As a part of the event, students painted graffiti on other participants’ t-shirts; Guelph News reports that some students at the event were wearing “shirts marked with racist, antisemitic, anti-Black, homophobic, and other hateful language and symbols.” The university said that students who violated university policy have been referred to the Office of Student Accountability. The Student Federation of the Ontario Agricultural College said that the actions do not reflect the values of the college, and that they “encourage students to speak up, support one another, and choose empathy in their actions.” Aggie pub events have reportedly been cancelled for the rest of the academic year.

The City of Charlottetown’s councillors have voted unanimously to rezone a parcel of land, enabling Holland College to proceed with creating the John and Christine Andrew Centre of Excellence in Watershed Management. CBC states that the rezoning allows the institution to set up indoor labs, office space, and accommodations. “Plans are to do the barn over, keeping it historic, but there may be labs in the barn,” said Charlottetown Councillor Terry Bernard. “The homestead will be offices and some scholars may come to stay, but there will be no students staying there.” The centre is named in honour of the Andrews family, which donated the parcel of land.