June 7, 2024

McMaster University has announced its plans to introduce guidelines and a process to verify Indigenous ancestry. The new process will launch in two phases: Phase one, launching in June, will be for Indigenous student scholarships, awards, and bursaries; phase two will launch in the upcoming academic year for staff and faculty recruitment. The process was developed around the idea that membership in an Indigenous community can only be determined by Indigenous communities. It is built on four core principles: kindness, truth and truthfulness, kinship and good relations, and having a good mind. “We worked to ensure the process is as sensitive to students’ perspectives as possible,” said McMaster Indigenous Student Services Director Chrissy Doolittle.

Canada’s research on HIV is falling behind that of other countries, writes Maxime Bilodeau for University Affairs. While Canadian researchers developed one of the first effective treatments for HIV, Bilodeau states that funding for HIV research in Canada has dwindled. Some researchers have responded by narrowing their focus to more unique areas, while others have sought funding from bodies outside Canada like the National Institutes of Health in the US. Bilodeau concludes that researchers are hopeful that the Government of Canada’s recent reinvestment in research and innovation will help encourage student recruitment into HIV labs.

In an open letter, the Université du Québec and the Alliance Canadienne des universités de recherche de petite et moyenne taille (ACCRU) call on the Government of Canada to fund more researchers at small and medium-sized establishments to maximize the productivity of the university research system. UQuébec and ACCRU claim that federal research funding for science is provided to only a select number of large universities with medical schools.The letter states that this imbalance is the result of systemic biases that favour large establishments and ultimately amplify inequalities in research. The letter concludes by asserting that equitable funding is essential to maintaining the vitality of communities and the promotion of French research in science.

Toronto police have removed a pro-Palestinian encampment at York University at the institution’s request, according to City News and CTV News. YorkU stated that it had been clear that “encampments and physical occupations of community spaces are not permitted under its policies.” The protestors that set up the encampment received a trespass notice and reportedly left peacefully. One individual returned and was arrested under the Trespass Act. A group of faculty members from YorkU issued a statement expressing their solidarity with the student protestors and demanding an explanation from the administration.

Capilano University will be expanding its offerings at its Squamish campus with three new programs. Starting in January 2025, Capilano will offer a Business Administration Certificate, a Business Administration Diploma, and a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Global Hospitality & Tourism Management. “These offerings are a natural fit for CapU Squamish. They were curated for learners who are looking to enter into careers, complement existing work with new knowledge, or change career paths,” said CapilanoU VP, Academic and Provost Laureen Styles.

The writing on the wall of a bathroom stall is more than graffiti, according to a study published in Innovative Higher Ed; it also offers a unique opportunity to view students’ authentic values, experiences, opinions, and concerns. Studying a woman’s washroom at Edinburgh Napier University, researcher Mabel Victoria found that students used the space to leave each other messages of anonymous encouragement, share their opinions, and give one another advice. When the university painted over the walls, students were outraged, demonstrating that they felt a sense of ownership for the space and resistance to its institutional control. Victoria also noticed that writing and drawings were far less common post-pandemic, marking a potential shift in how and where students communicate. Victoria encourages institutions to consider how non-traditional communications methods could facilitate student conversations in other spaces.

The Université de Moncton’s Shippigan campus has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Club d’astronomie Arthur-William-Landry Inc (CAAWL). Through this collaboration, UMoncton and CAAWL will promote the field of astronomy within academia and the local community. They will do this by offering activities related to astronomy, with the aim of inspiring and engaging the community while strengthening ties with one another.

Protesters at McGill University recently ended their hunger strike, which began in February in an effort to persuade McGill to cut ties with Israeli-linked institutions. CTV News reports that the protesters ended the hunger strike last month, citing the advice of medical professionals. “While determined to achieve our goals, the sacrifices made by [those participating in] our hunger strike surpass what they should have to bear for us to be heard,” the group said. McGill issued a statement expressing its relief that the hunger strike had ended. “McGill continues to encourage our students and other members of the community to prioritize engagement that doesn’t compromise anyone’s health and safety, including their own,” read the statement.

The University College of the North has unveiled sculptures called “Pâkosêthimowin”—Cree for “Hopes/Dreams”—at its campuses in The Pas and Thompson. The sculptures consist of seven stainless steel spires that are each engraved with one of seven sacred teachings: truth, honesty, courage, respect, wisdom, humility and love. The sculpture provides people with a place to reflect and gather. “We need to keep these teachings alive for our own sake and for the generations that follow,” said UCN Elder Mabel Bignell. UCN President Doug Lauvstad explained that the sculptures represent the importance of maintaining cultural foundations.

Concordia University students have launched a new interdisciplinary journal called EconomicSense for undergraduate researchers. The journal—which will accept submiss will help undergraduate researchers learn the ins and outs of scholarly publishing. EconomicSense accepts submissions from Concordia students who are exploring questions through an economic lens. Submitters are then paired with mentors from industry and academia to guide them through the research and writing process over a four-month period. “Our goal with EconomicSense was not just to give students a platform to write new research but also to teach them how to do it,” said Concordia economics student and journal co-founder Rayan Mohamed. “This is why we integrated a mentorship program.”