Top Ten News

Jan 31, 2025 • National

Universities Canada has joined the Canada-US Trade Council, a new collaborative initiative bringing together Canadian industry, labour groups, stakeholders, and advisors to tackle challenges related to the Canada-US trade relationship. The council will prioritize sharing information and maintaining ongoing conversations on topics such as approaches to tariff discussions. “Canada’s universities believe in the importance of a strong, collaborative and always respectful partnership with our US neighbours,” said Universities Canada President Gabriel Miller. “We are proud to be working closely with Canadian business, labour, and government leaders to protect our economy and build our shared prosperity.”

Business Council of Canada, Universities Canada

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Jan 31, 2025 • PEI

Murray MacInnis (Holland College) and Sandra Griffin (University of Prince Edward Island) recently shared their perspectives on the results of a recent CUSC survey. The survey found that a growing number of postsecondary students in the Maritimes report having a disability. Griffin explained that the number has likely increased for a variety of reasons, including reduced stigma and increased supports for accessing accommodations. MacInnis added that students are more willing to ask for help and advocate for themselves and that they often have more experience with accommodations from the high school level. “I don’t always see the increase in needs as a bad thing,” said MacInnis. “It may be just that we’re getting to students before it’s too late.”

CBC

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Jan 31, 2025 • ON

Loyalist College will close programs and reduce its staff numbers in response to what InQuinte calls “significant revenue loss.” Due to a decline in international students and the Government of Ontario’s tuition freeze, the college is reportedly facing a 40M funding shortfall for this fiscal year. Loyalist is reportedly implementing an indefinite intake suspension for 30% of its programs and projecting a 20% reduction to its staff, which will include a voluntary exit program, the reduction of roles through attrition, and terminations and layoffs. “They are gut-wrenching decisions that we have to make,” said Loyalist President Mark Kirkpatrick. “But we know that we need to keep this institution here and viable for the future not just of Loyalist College but of our region.”

InQuinte, Intelligencer, Quinte News

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Jan 31, 2025 • QC

The Fédération du personnel professionnel des collèges (FPPC-CSQ)—which represents professional staff at English-language cégeps—has issued a statement denouncing the implementation of Law 14 (Bill 96). FPPC-CSQ President Éric Cyr said that the changes have introduced more work for staff and created stress and confusion for staff and students alike. Cyr also called for an exemption for students who were already attending a cégep before the law was rolled out. Staff and students from English cégeps told CBC that the changes have added stress for students who are not fluent in French. CBC reports that the Government of Quebec responded to FPPC-CSQ’s statement with surprise and asserted that it had allocated resources to the English cégeps to help them navigate the changes.

CBC, Newswire

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Jan 31, 2025 • SK

The University of Saskatchewan has received $5.1M in combined funding towards 21 livestock- and forage-related research projects. The funding—provided by the Government of Canada, Government of Saskatchewan, and four industry partners—will go to scholars across USask’s disciplines. “These projects are tremendous examples as to how USask is continuing to support Saskatchewan’s agri-food producers in a time where agricultural production is more important than ever for food security across the globe,” said USask VP of Research Dr Baljit Singh. This funding is delivered through the Agricultural Development Fund.

SK, USask

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Jan 31, 2025 • AB

Mount Royal University has taken the Recovery Friendly Campus Pledge to support campus community members who are in recovery from substance use. MRU has committed to focusing on addiction recovery by creating spaces and programs that connect students, faculty, and staff who are in recovery. In so doing, MRU hopes to reduce isolation, foster a culture of inclusion, and support these students in their academic and personal pursuits. “By being part of ROC, we are contributing to a provincial movement that prioritizes student wellbeing and recovery support, ensuring our campus remains a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment for all students,” said MRU Director of Student Wellness Jody Arndt.

MRU, CTV News

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Jan 31, 2025 • International

Students who step away from their studies for the sake of their health require more support when they return to campus, argues Ashley Mowreader of Inside Higher Ed. Mowreader explains that these students face barriers to returning and continuing their education and emphasizes the value of having formal aides in place to ease a student’s transition back into education after a voluntary leave. She identifies four ways that institutions can help these learners: creating formal step-by-step explanations of how to re-enrol at an institution, sharing consolidated information about institutional resources, providing dedicated coaching or advising, and/or fostering a community of peers.

Inside Higher Ed (Acct Req)

Top Ten News

Jan 31, 2025 • ON

York University has shared two updates related to research and innovation on campus. YorkU has launched the Mad Studies Hub, an organized research unit dedicated to advancing social justice through interdisciplinary research, policy, and practice. YorkU Professor and inaugural Hub Director Marina Morrow explained that “Mad Studies” is an activist movement that stems from individuals who want to reclaim their experiences with psychiatric systems. The university was also recently named the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) Hub Chair for Sustainable Development Goal 10 – Reducing Inequality. In this three-year role, YorkU will share research projects and initiatives related to reducing inequalities in communities.

YorkU (Mad Studies), YorkU (UNAI)

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Jan 31, 2025 • PEI

The University of Prince Edward Island recently became home to a herd of snow elephants after fresh snowfall. Atlantic Veterinary College’s artist-in-residence Christopher Griffin, who is known for creating wildlife-inspired artwork, was reportedly inspired by the snowy day. He worked for more than five hours to carve the elephants, which stand on top of the UPEI sign. “I drive by that sign every day, and I always think, ‘That spot is just begging for something to go on it,’” said Griffin. “So, when the snow fell, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.”

UPEI

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Jan 31, 2025 • ON

A fire at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Bricker Residence has resulted in an estimated $500K in damages and displaced 55 students. WLU representatives told CTV News that all students were safely evacuated: 10 were given accommodations at other residences while others made their own arrangements. CTV News reports that the cause of the fire—which started in one of the student units—has not been determined. The students who were living in the affected unit will have alternative accommodations for the remainder of the semester, while those in other units will move back into the residence in a phased approach.

CTV News