June 12, 2024

Queen’s University has received a $25M gift from Cara and Murray Sinclair toward the university’s cancer research institute, which will be renamed the Cara & Murray Sinclair Cancer Research Institute (SCRI). This funding will build research capacity, establish new imaging facilities and a new specialized biomanufacturing facility, support the creation of an SCRI innovation fund, and launch new training opportunities for students and early-career researchers. “Their gift will enhance the Cara & Murray Sinclair Cancer Research Institute’s ability to discover new potential treatments, test new drugs, and evaluate the impact that these treatments have on patients,” said Queen’s Principal Patrick Deane.

The Government of Québec recently announced that it will offer financial incentives for universities that register and graduate students in sectors wherein the province is experiencing a labour shortage. These priority sectors include health, education, information technology, and engineering. The incentives will be rolled out from Fall 2024 until 2028. This announcement is part of a wider reworking of QC’s university funding policy, which also includes the increase in tuition fees for out-of-province students that was announced earlier in the academic year.

The Canadian Medical Association Journal has released a study led by University of Saskatchewan Assistant Professor Jacob Alhassan that captures some of the experiences of racism faced by Black medical students at the university. The qualitative study was completed by USask medical researchers, who documented the experiences of four Black residents and nine Black students. Alhassan said that learners encountered racism from patients, professors, and the clinicians that they worked with. USask Interim Dean Marilyn Baetz said that the university has made several changes to address issues since the study began, including developing EDI modules for student, staff, and faculty; continuing to add inclusive material to its curriculum; and working to change its admissions process to include Black representatives on interview panels.

Last week, the University of Toronto sent a proposal to representatives of the pro-Palestinian encampment on campus. The university reportedly offered to expedite processes for considering the protesters’ divestment and disclosure demands and confirmed that U of T holds no direct investments in any companies that produce armaments. CBC reports that the protesters rejected the proposal on the grounds that it has no “guaranteed outcomes,” calling it instead a “restatement of university policy and procedures that we were already aware of.” U of T said that it is committed to ending the encampment peacefully through dialogue, but that it will continue to pursue an injunction to remove the encampment.

The College of the North Atlantic is partnering with Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada to launch the One at a Time: Reducing Barriers to Work-Integrated Learning stipend program. This program will provide $1K to cover expenses including transportation, workplace attire, and childcare for eligible students participating in unpaid WIL courses during the Spring, Summer, or Fall 2024 semesters. “This program will allow students to get more out of their WIL experience by alleviating some of the barriers that many students experience,” said CNA Director of WIL Connections Ashley Nguyen. “[B]y removing some of the financial burden and stress that comes with unpaid WIL, students can focus on getting the most out of their experience!”

Several postsecondary staff members have spoken to or written for the evoLLLution about the importance of a having a well-crafted postsecondary website. Kenneth Mashinchi (San Jose State University) discusses the importance of having a high-quality, welcoming website, which he describes as “an institution’s digital front door.” He describes the common challenges that come with managing websites, such as adequate resourcing, consistency across platforms, and meeting accessibility needs. Melony Linder (University of North Dakota) explains that a good website can improve engagement with prospective and current students alike. Linder touches on what students look for in a website: A mobile-friendly interface, a level of anonymity, and the ability to skim information. Megan Horton (Oklahoma State University), Erin Petrotta (OSU), and Andrew Breshears (OSU) echo these points and discuss the experience of running a website in a decentralized university environment.

Dalhousie University has halted training at the Saint John Regional Hospital and New Brunswick Heart Centre after student allegations of harassment. A memo noted that the pause—which happened in November—was made due to learner feedback about “behaviours in the environment consistent with intimidation/harassment/racism/sexism.” Students told CBC that they were surprised by the announcement. “We were notified that essentially Dalhousie was removing all of its learners [from the learning sites,” stated Dalhousie Medical Students’ Society President Ben Peterson. While the change has been stressful for students, Peterson said that it helps them to know that the university is taking these allegations seriously. Dal is allowing students to complete cardiac rotations at another site or change specialities.

Keyano College is acquiring new simulators and software for its Haul Truck Operator program, thanks to federal funding through Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan). “With these simulators, our students are learning on the same equipment used in the industry today, which greatly reduces the learning curve and prepares them more effectively for their careers,” said Keyano School of Trades and Technology Dean Darren Stacey. Stacey added that the use of simulators is a carbon-free training opportunity that will allow the program to train more students.

According to CTV News, the University of Guelph recently informed incoming first-year students that they would not be guaranteed a spot in residence this fall. CTV News reports that this has caused stress and anxiety among incoming students, who say that campus tour guides last fall had reassured them that there “would be no problem getting accommodations for residence.” Incoming students also reportedly received an email that stated that there are currently over 1,000 people on the residence waitlist. In a statement, UoGuelph said it is working on a resolution. “We are still confirming the final number of students who have completed their residence applications,” read the statement.

At the end of May, the House of Commons passed Bill C-59, which includes changes excluding public postsecondary education from Canada’s Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA) and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA). “This is an important victory for academic staff and all Canadians because treating universities and colleges […] like corporations is not in the best interest of our country,” said CAUT President Peter McInnes. The legislation has moved to the Senate, where it recently completed its second reading. CAUT states it is expected to be passed into law.