June 9, 2025

MacEwan University has partnered with two developers— Qualico Properties and MacLab Development Group—on a pilot project that will help students find safe and affordable off-campus housing. Starting this summer, MacEwan students will receive a discount on select downtown housing that is located near the university. In an article about the partnership, MacEwan President Dr Annette Trimbee discussed how partnerships can help ease housing issues for the university’s growing student body. “Improving housing accessibility takes a creative approach and a sustained commitment from all stakeholders – government, business, industry, and other key players – to address the pressures our students and broader community are experiencing,” writes Trimbee.

The Government of Ontario has announced a $4.2M investment to expand nursing education across the province. Of this investment, $2M will support the launch of accelerated registered nursing degree programs at Conestoga College, St Lawrence College, Western University, and York University. Each institution will receive up to $500K to support program development and implementation. Additionally, $750K will go towards integrating RN prescribing education into the undergraduate nursing curriculum at Georgian College, Humber Polytechnic, and the University of Windsor. ON is also providing nearly $1.5M to expand enrolment and clinical placement opportunities at Confederation College and Cambrian College.

Cégep de Baie-Comeau has adopted a deficit operating budget for the next academic year. To avoid cutting positions or affecting the student population, the cégep implemented targeted measures such as drawing on its reserve fund, reducing overtime opportunities, postponing some development projects and maintenance, and reducing advertising and travel spending. The budget responds to the recent cuts on the public college system.

In a recent article for the evoLLLution, Jeff Doyle (Southwestern University) emphasizes the importance of using summer touchpoints to keep students engaged. Doyle outlines how his team uses communications and a series of events throughout the summer—a two-day academic orientation in June, a five-day extended orientation in June and July, and a Welcome Week experience in August—to improve retention and student engagement. Underscoring the importance of intentionality and personalization with summer touchpoints, Doyle concludes with a series of questions that orientation leaders and planners can use to reflect on and improve their summer engagement. “I hope your university’s answers to these questions help you offer a more holistic, personalized and intentional investment in your incoming students’ summer experience,” writes Doyle.

Humber Polytechnic and the Canadian Nuclear Association have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that outlines how they will work together to train workers for Canada’s nuclear energy industry. The MOU outlines several shared goals focused on developing academic programming, enhancing training opportunities, and engaging students in experiential learning and applied research projects. “Together, we are preparing a new wave of nuclear talent who will lead with technical excellence and expertise while championing innovation for a sustainable future,” said Humber President Ann Marie Vaughan.

A whistleblower has reportedly shared the findings of a 2019 workplace investigation at Red River College Polytechnic, which found that federal MP and former RRC Polytech employee Rebecca Chartrand repeatedly harassed an employee while working at the institution. CBC and the Winnipeg Free Press report that RRC Polytech commissioned a third-party investigation into a complaint filed against Chartrand, which was substantiated. The Free Press reports that no further action was taken against Chartrand by the institution, as she resigned in December 2019. Canadaland andCBC state that Chartrand has also faced backlash recently for a Facebook post responding to online criticism about her work at the polytechnic.

SUNY Press Acquisitions Editor Rebecca Colesworthy has put together eight tips for academics who want to promote their scholarly book. “Scholarly books are written to shape conversations and have an impact both in particular fields and the wider world,” explains Colesworthy. “At its best, so-called self-promotion […] means getting to share ideas, build relationships, and celebrate your hard-won accomplishments.” With this angle in mind, Colesworthy offers advice such as taking the time to understand and articulate the audience for the book, cultivating an author platform as an authority in the book’s topic, and building genuine goodwill with other scholars by promoting and discussing their works.

Fédération nationale des enseignantes et enseignants du Québec (FNEEQ–CSN) has denounced Champlain College St Lawrence for its response to a harassment case. TVA Nouvelles reports that the college has disputed an arbitration court ruling and a related disability claim from the employee. FNEEQ-CSN VP Yves de Repentigny pointed to the cost of legal fees, which he says could have been used to pay for student services, and alleged that the college has not taken the necessary steps to establish a workplace that is free from psychological harassment. The college’s administration did not comment on the situation.

The University of Waterloo’s WatSPEED has partnered with the Vector Institute to launch a pilot program to accelerate AI adoption for professionals. The Managing AI Projects program will teach professionals—such as managers, team leads, and functional experts—to lead AI initiatives more efficiently and increase business competitiveness. Participants will learn strategies for planning, leading, and delivering AI projects. “This collaboration unites WatSPEED’s strength in professional education with the Vector Institute’s AI expertise to address a critical skills gap in the market,” said WatSPEED Executive Director Aaron Pereira.

As Montréal’s public transport maintenance workers go on strike this week, several postsecondary institutions in the city have implemented measures to ensure teaching and learning can continue. The Société de transport de Montréal announced that the nine-day strike will begin on June 9: For the first three days, buses and the metro will only operate during peak hours. HEC Montréal, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and the Université du Québec à Montréal have each indicated that they will remain open during the strike. However, they have issued directives encouraging accommodations such as permitting staff to work from home, moving classes online, and being understanding of staff or students who arrive late.