March 7, 2025

Postsecondary institutions across Canada are celebrating International Women’s Day. Institutions such as Brandon University, Durham College, Thompson Rivers University, the University of Manitoba, and York University held events or gave awards to outstanding women from their community. Saint Mary’s University brought students together for events such as a journaling workshop for Black students, a talking circle for Immigrant and Black women entrepreneurs, and a paint and sip evening. Kwantlen Polytechnic University released a new collaboration beer, called Coastal Breeze, created by female brewers in celebration of Pink Boots Collaboration Brew Day.

A new report from Nova Scotia’s Auditor General Kim Adair asserts that the Government of Nova Scotia is not effectively holding universities accountable for their use of public funds. Among the report’s findings, the auditor general identified shortcomings in the NS Department of Advanced Education’s funding agreement terms and conditions, planning to assess the outcomes of health education funding, and assessments of the financial health or sustainability of the province’s universities. Adair outlined several recommendations for the Department of Advanced Education, including exploring a new operating grant funding model, continuing to monitor funding agreements for compliance, and working with universities to develop financial metrics and benchmarks.

The British Columbia Institute of Technology has launched a Student Wellbeing Action Plan and signed the Okanagan Charter as part of its efforts to improve student mental health and wellbeing. The action plan outlines guiding principles that focus on student wellbeing, including creating a culture that promotes wellbeing and increasing equitable access to services and supports. “I’m feeling excited and hopeful for the forward direction in improving the health of the campus community,” said BCIT School of Health Sciences Nursing faculty Chelsey Hartwig. “It’s wellbeing in action.”

Centennial College, St Lawrence College, and the University of Windsor have released further details on operational changes that are intended to help offset financial deficits. Centennial will reportedly be merging two of its campuses: All Story Arts Centre campus programming, staff, and students will be moved to the college’s Progress Campus in Scarborough by Summer 2026. SLC has shared further insight into what its Brockville and Cornwall locations will offer as Learning Centres. They will continue to have facilities such as on-campus residences, learning spaces, and food services; changes will be made to functions and resources such as bookstore products, library spaces, and student career and accessibility services. UWindsor has announced further workforce changes—a reported net loss of 27 CUPE Local 1393 positions—and efforts to streamline services and consolidate administrative support.

Thompson Rivers University, Olds College of Agriculture and Technology, and Université du Québec à Montréal have each announced programming updates. TRU has launched a diploma in Computer Network and Cybersecurity, which provides hands-on training using practical and lab-based curriculum. Upon completion, graduates can transition into TRU’s Bachelor of Computing Science degree program. Olds has unveiled its updated Environmental Science & Technology diploma program, which includes a new name and revised curriculum. At UQAM, two programs have been redesigned. The bachelor’s degree in media production, strategies, and cultural industries includes five path options and an “honour” profile for students interested in graduate studies, while the bachelor’s degree in cinema features updated courses and three new specialization profiles.

The University of Guelph’s Department of Athletics and Homewood Health have forged a three-year partnership that will expand their shared dedication to physical activity and mental well-being while elevating women’s athletics. The partners will expand the Gryphons Empowered by Movement Program, which uses exercise to support students who face mental health challenges; champion women’s athletics through Homewood sponsorships; and launch collaborative research initiatives aimed at improving support systems for student-athletes. “Mental health is as critical as physical performance in achieving success, and our partnership with Homewood will enhance student access to these important resources,” said UoGuelph Director of Athletics Scott McRoberts.

The Association of Academic Staff University of Alberta (AASUA) marked a year of collective bargaining by holding a rally on Wednesday, where members called for improvements on fronts such as compensation. The union is reportedly seeking raises and for the number of short-term contracts offered to academic staff to be reduced. AASUA also wants the University of Alberta to devote more of its operating budget for front-line teaching. “The spark of learning burns bright at the U of A,” read a statement from AASUA President Gordon Swaters. “A failure to fund frontline teaching and research put it at risk. We’re rallying with one message for university administration and the government: support the spark.” CTV News reports that the group will enter informal mediation later this month.

York University’s Board of Governors recently approved increases to tuition and ancillary fees for the 2025-26 year. Centrally collected ancillary fees are set to increase by 12%. Tuition increases vary depending on the program, level, and student type: Out-of-province domestic students in the first or second years of an undergraduate program will see their tuition increase by 5%, for example, while international tuition for some programs will increase by up to 9.2%. Domestic undergraduate and master’s level tuition for Ontario students will remain frozen at 2019-20 rates, in keeping with the Government of Ontario’s tuition freeze.

A 17-year-old girl has been taken into custody by the Saskatoon Police Service following a bomb threat at the University of Saskatchewan. CTV News reports that USask’s Protective Services called municipal police and evacuated several buildings on USask’s campus on Wednesday evening, after receiving a report of an explosive device. “Following continued investigation, a suspect was identified and it was determined that there was no threat to public safety,” said the Saskatoon Police Service. The suspect is reportedly facing charges of mischief and breaching court-imposed conditions.

Western University has earned a gold rating under the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), which is administered by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. Western is reportedly the second institution in Canada to be awarded a gold rating under the latest version of STARS (v3.0), which uses a broader, more inclusive framework. “This recent gold STARS rating acknowledges the work of many people across campus, who are embedding sustainability into nearly every aspect of the university and who are dedicated to creating a more sustainable future,” said Western Director of Sustainability Heather Hyde.