July 3, 2024

Postsecondary institutions need more Black-affirming spaces on campus, which support Black student academic success and provide development opportunities, write Fikir Getaneh Haile (Queen’s University) and Beverly-Jean Daniel (Toronto Metropolitan University). Haile, Daniel, and their colleagues conducted a study in 2023 with Black students in Ontario that examined the Black student experience and assessed the formal and informal resources that they draw upon. The researchers found that Black-affirming academic community spaces provided a space for resources and opportunities, fostered informal mentorship relationships, and increased student confidence and motivation. The authors call for postsecondary institutions—especially Scarborough Charter signatories—to provide funding and supports for Black student groups and the creation of more resourced spaces for Black students.

Granville College has opened new campuses in downtown Vancouver and the Surrey City Centre. “The new expanded campus locations will enable us to grow and offer new programs in fields like technology, artificial intelligence and the trades where there is an increasing shortage of workers,” stated Granville Chief Operating Officer Chamara Perera. A news release explains that the college expanded into the cities of Vancouver and Surrey because they have become international education hubs that attract students from all over the world; the new campuses are located near Skytrain stations to ensure access to transportation.

The University of Guelph is increasing its student services and supports in preparation for a larger-than-normal cohort of first-year students that is expected on campus this Fall. In addition to planning to expedite plans to increase student housing, CBC reports that UoGuelph’s off-campus living team is increasing its summer staff to help students search for housing. Other changes to accommodate the influx of students include expanding class sizes, adding new classes, adding health care and mental health staff, expanding orientation week programming, and expanding meal plan options for first year students. A release from UoGuelph said that its “focus remains on readiness to ensure an enriched student experience for all incoming students.”

In a recent interview with Evolllution, Anthony Lee (Westcliff University) discusses some of the ways that AI is being integrated into higher education. Lee explains that AI holds great potential in terms of customizing and tailoring education to the individual student by offering relevant assignments, tailoring programming to student career interests, and more. Lee encourages instructors to cultivate academic integrity through exemplary behaviour and maintain live human interaction to effectively address student concerns. Lee writes that AI also is being used by leadership to increase efficiency outside of the classroom. In the area of student support and advising, for example, AI can identify key challenges and barriers by analyzing conversations between advisors and students. “[H]igher ed institutions are also organizations, and it’s crucial for every organization to explore how AI can enhance efficiency across all departments,” writes Lee.

Former Université de Sherbrooke professor Robert Day has been found guilty of fraud, forgery, and possession or trafficking of a forged document following an investigation by the Commissaire à la lutte contre la corruption (CLCC). A statement shared by the Government of Quebec indicates that Day used fake documents to fraudulently claim reimbursements from USherbrooke between 2012 and 2018. The university’s loss amounts to approximately $109K; the money was taken from research funds intended for studies on topics such as cancer.

Algoma University has partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association Cochrane-Timiskaming (CMHA-CT) to enhance student mental health support. The two parties will work together to enhance mental health supports at AlgomaU by recruiting three professionals who will offer virtual primary mental health support and host workshops, support groups, tailored supports for international students, and more. “This partnership represents a significant advancement in Algoma U’s efforts to support student mental health, creating a more supportive environment and fostering the well-being and academic achievements of all students,” said AlgomaU Director of Student Success and Wellbeing Tammy McGregor Twiss.

Postsecondary institutions are better prepared for cyberattacks now than a year ago, but cybersecurity experts are urging institutions to take further action, writes Lauren Coffey for Inside Higher Ed. Coffey notes that there has been increased spending on cybersecurity and CIOs are showing a greater year-over-year confidence in the ability of their institutions’ security practices to prevent ransomware attacks. However, several industry professionals explained that there was more to do on this front. These interviewees suggested that institutions should take further action through policies and procedures such as conducting internal and external assessments to identify cybersecurity gaps, finding ways to involve students in maintaining security, and setting hard deadlines on practices like password changes and software updates.

St Francis Xavier University and the University of New Brunswick have recently announced new or expanded programs and policies that improve access to higher education for underrepresented groups. StFX’s Rankin School of Nursing will be expanding the number of prioritized seats for Mi’kmaq and African Nova Scotian students. Starting in 2025, 15% of admissions to the nursing school’s programs will be prioritized for self-identified Mi’kmaq and African NS students. UNB has adopted a new policy for smudging and pipe ceremonies on campus that creates designated spaces for these cultural practices, rather than requiring special permission from security. “It’s only in the past 50 some years that we’ve been allowed to practice our ceremonies again,” explained Elder Jeannie Bartibogue, who is the Kcicihtuwinut (Knowledge Carrier-in-Residence) at UNB’s Mi’kmaq-Wolastoqey Centre. “So, we want to instill that in our students and in our young people.”

Laurentian University and the Laurentian University Staff Union have reached a tentative collective agreement. If ratified, the agreement will last three years. “This is a positive sign, indicating that Laurentian’s leadership is demonstrating a commitment to reinvesting in its most valuable asset: its employees,” said LUSU president Tom Fenske, Laurentian President Dr Lynn Wells echoed Fenske’s comments, noting that “One of [the strategic directions in Laurentian’s Strategic Plan] is defined as “Valuing and Supporting Our People” and we’re proud to put that direction into action.”

A group of volunteers have made it possible for seniors to take classes at the University of Regina, reports CTV News. URegina discontinued the funding for the Lifelong Learning Program last year, but the volunteer group has brought the program back to life through a book sale fundraiser. The book sale was anticipated to raise over $100K, and these funds will help fully restore non-credit learning opportunities for seniors. URegina will be offering the program classroom space, while the volunteers will organize and fund the program. Around 40 classes are expected to be offered this fall.