July 17, 2024

The Northwest Territories Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program (NWT CIMP) has announced a $2.2M investment into 30 environmental monitoring and research projects. The funding will be distributed to a wide range of recipients, including nine postsecondary schools: Institut national de la recherche scientifique, McGill University, Queen’s University, Simon Fraser University, the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, and York University. Each project will receive between $70K and $100K per year over three years to address cumulative impact monitoring priorities for caribou, water, and fish and gather information for resource managers, governments, and communities. “By combining Indigenous, scientific and local knowledge, we make better decisions for our environment’s future,” said NWT Minister of Environment and Climate Change Jay Macdonald.

The University of the Fraser Valley’s School of Education will relocate from the Abbotsford campus to Mission at the end of the month. “We’ve gone from 64 students to 106, making it a significant teacher education program in the province,” said UFV Faculty of Education, Community, and Human Development Dean Allyson Jule. “We are moving them into a community that is very welcoming and has wanted us here for a long time.” UFV is renovating its building in Mission to include community spaces, classrooms, and lounge areas. The new space also features Stó:lō artwork and carvings to recognize the traditional territory that the building is located on.

The University of Regina has received $580K from Innovation Saskatchewan to support three projects that focus on nuclear energy, subatomic physics, and high-performance computing in nuclear science. Together, these projects will help to attract and retain highly qualified researchers to SK and train the next generation of scientists, while contributing to the province’s energy, technology, and growth goals. “This investment at the University of Regina will further support our province’s world-class research community, while providing advanced training, employment and economic opportunities for Saskatchewan people,” said SK Minister responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan Jeremy Harrison.

Lethbridge Polytechnic has announced several updates to its existing programming, as well as the creation of a new set of programs. The polytechnic will offer its own Primary Care Paramedic program, which was previously offered in partnership with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, and will transition several pre-employment programs in the trades to certificate programs. The polytechnic is also launching three one-year certificate programs in the General Arts and Science area to provide educational opportunities for students who are unsure about the educational or career path they would like to pursue.

Durham College is launching an initiative dubbed Farm Fresh Thursdays to bring produce from its urban farm to the broader community. Each Thursday, visitors can visit the Produce Pavilion to purchase seasonal, hand-picked fare from the farm; take home prepared foods from the Pantry retail store; or eat meals made with the farm’s produce at the Bistro ’67 patio. The items for sale include produce that is not typically available through grocery stores, including tri-coloured peas and serviceberries. “Having the farm on campus allows us to engage with the community in thoughtful and impactful ways when addressing issues such as food security, food literacy and food sustainability,” said Durham Urban Farm Field Supervisor Andrew Guay.

Vancouver Island University is taking legal action against the organizers of the pro-Palestinian protest encampment based on its campus. According to the Canadian Press, the university has retained external counsel and filed a notice of civil claim in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, seeking an injunction against the camp and damages from the protesters. “This decision was not made lightly, but it has become necessary to ensure the university can operate effectively and that our campus remains a safe and welcoming place for all,” announced VIU on its website. This notice came after VIU issued a trespass notice last week, which outlined that legal action would be taken if the camp was not dismantled by Monday morning.

Students in Algonquin College’s public relations program recently launched a campaign to raise funds for the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. Named #ShattertheSilence, this campaign aims to take a stand against the stigma surrounding mental health and raise both money and awareness through a series of dedicated events. “The reason for calling it Shatter the Silence is we’re trying to promote meaningful conversations about mental health and eliminate the stigma that is attached to it,” said Algonquin student Dawson Richards. The campaign’s upcoming schedule includes a SereniTEA café and an open mic event called “Mic Drop the Silence.”

In an article for University Business, William Hatcher (Augusta University) argues that there is a low-cost solution to academic burnout: the promotion of compassion and belonging. Hatcher writes that academic burnout often arises in situations wherein employees, their roles, and the institution itself are mismatched in their aims and expectations. As a result, employees find themselves saddled with unreasonable demands, a lack of support, and a feeling that they have little control over their work. To overcome this issue, the author advises academic leaders to practice civility; promote a sense of belonging; and support the individual autonomy of faculty, staff, and students. “In other words, we simply need to be nicer to one another,” summarizes the author.

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Cape Breton University has partnered with ACAP Cape Breton to plant 50,000 trees across Cape Breton Island. The “Growing Forward Together” initiative aims to contribute to the Island’s ecological health and provide benefits for future generations. “For more than 50 years, CBU has grown and evolved thanks to the support of our community Unama’ki – Cape Breton,” said CBU President David C Dingwall. “This project is our way of giving back to the Island that has given us so much and our pledge to a greener, more resilient Cape Breton.”

Western University has paused the Alice Munro Chair in Creativity position in light of the recent allegations made against the late author Alice Munro. The chair reportedly served as a link between the university and the local creative community and appointees worked with English and writing students at the university. An associated class that was scheduled for the Fall 2024 term has been cancelled. “At this time we are pausing the Alice Munro Chair in Creativity appointment as we carefully consider Munro’s legacy and her ties to Western,” stated Western Faculty of Arts and Humanities Acting Dean Ileana Paul. The previous chair holder’s term ended in April.