February 8, 2023

The Government of Canada has announced $46.5M in funding for the Oceans Network Canada (ONC), which is run by the University of Victoria. UVic states that the ONC initiative operates observatories along the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic coasts of Canada that provide continuous, real-time, and archived open-access ocean data. “This new funding will further enable the integration of real-time ocean observing into Indigenous communities for monitoring and emergency response management,” explained UVic VP, Research and Innovation Lisa Kalynchuk. “ONC is also working with industry partners to develop high-quality sensors and data products that will deliver information directly into the hands of communities and decision-makers to better protect our oceans.”

Providence University College and the Saskatoon Theological Union have each announced new religious graduate programs. Providence is launching a new Chaplaincy/Spiritual Care major for its Master of Arts program to meet the need for well-trained chaplains who can compassionately support those dealing with health issues, grief, trauma, aging, and addictions in a variety of settings. The Saskatoon Theological Union—which involves Lutheran Theological Seminary, St Andrew’s College, and the College of Emmanuel & St Chad—will be launching a fully ecumenical Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program in Contextual and Practical Theology this September. The DMin program is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools. It is offered in a cohort format with hybrid delivery so that students do not have to relocate to complete their studies.

BlogTO and Storeys report that the design for a new facility planned for Toronto Metropolitan University’s campus could “up the institution’s aesthetic ante.” The renderings of the eight-storey Student Wellbeing Centre depict a building comprised of mass timber, glass, and green roofs. BlogTO notes that the design includes “projecting glass boxes” on the fifth, sixth, and seventh floors that will function as meeting rooms. The facility will be built into the historic O’Keefe House, a former student residence and reportedly one of the oldest buildings on campus, and will consolidate all health services offered across TMU’s campus.

The University of Lethbridge’s Dhillon School of Business (DSB) has received a five-year extension on its Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International accreditation. The accreditation is reportedly only held by 6% of business schools worldwide and evaluates members based on nine standards that examine areas such as teaching, curriculum development, research, and student learning. “Our priorities never waver from ensuring our business students are receiving the highest caliber of education, all the while finding ways we can perpetually strive to become even better,” says ULethbridge Dhillon School Dean Dr Kerry Godfrey. “The school remains steadfast in its dedication to program quality and continuous improvement.”

“Faculty members have become one part caretaker and one part educator,” writes Betty-Shannon Prevatt in an article for Inside Higher Ed. To manage the line between compassion and maintaining accountability and rigour in the classroom, Prevatt outlines four approaches that faculty members can explore. In particular, she encourages faculty to approach self-care and intellectual challenge as activities that can occur together rather than being mutually exclusive, reinforce communication as a tool for accountability with students, set boundaries with rather than for students, and take the time to ensure that students understand how and when to contact campus counselling and wellness services. In addition to these approaches, the author explains that faculty must take care of themselves in order to model resilience and appropriate coping strategies.

Ontario Tech University’s Peer Tutor program has been certified by the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA). In addition to establishing professional standards for skills and training, the CRLA certification recognizes and reinforces the successful work done by tutors and peer educators. Ontario Tech peer tutors will be able to display the certification on their resumés and bring the knowledge and experience they have gained in the role to future opportunities. “Obtaining the CRLA’s certification is a significant achievement, and demonstrates the Student Learning Centre’s commitment to providing students with effective and high-quality support, along with experiential learning opportunities,” said Ontario Tech Student Learning Centre Manager Krista Elliott.

Simon Fraser University’s School of Computing Science has announced two new master’s degrees to meet the demand for high-demand technology skills: the Master of Cybersecurity and Master of Visual Computing. The two programs are comprised of technical training in the classroom and laboratory and a minimum four-month internship or co-op placement. “We believe that offering these programs benefits SFU students and industry and we’re excited to launch them,” said SFU programs director Ali Mahdavi-Amiri. The first cohort of the programs will launch in September 2023.

Yukon University has partnered with the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce to offer a Small and Medium Enterprise Training and Development program to the Yukon and Whitehorse business community. The curriculum was developed in direct response to the needs of local entrepreneurs and follows the themes of communication, leadership, business, customer service, and Indigenous learnings. The full certificate, which is comprised of four courses, can be completed within a year.

Western University graduate students represented by PSAC 601 held a protest to push for higher wages. Students and supporters gathered on top of the University College Hill to call for a wage hike and draw attention to the struggles faced by graduate students. PSAC 610 President Karuna Dsouza said that many graduate students are struggling with increased housing and living expenses, and that they are often forced to find second jobs in order to cover basic expenses. Dsouza said that graduate worker wages and stipends have stagnated and workers are restricted to working 10 hours a week. “Grad students can’t afford to live right now,” said Dsouza.

In his Admin 101 column for the Chronicle of Higher Ed, David D Perlmutter outlines the appropriate way to respond to an unexpected offer of an administrative role. First and foremost, he advises faculty members to treat the offer as a complement and to be gracious about it regardless of how they plan to proceed. From there, Perlmutter encourages the reader to request the exact definition of the job and its duties, associated priorities, and available supports. With this information in hand, the conversation can turn to a negotiation of the compensation package. Perlmutter concludes by noting that the decision to switch from a faculty role to administration is a difficult one and encourages the reader to talk to family members who may be affected by the change in responsibilities and commitments before making a final decision.