May 12, 2026

Simon Fraser University has received provisional acceptance to join the Canada West conference. The acceptance depends on the result of SFU’s application to join U SPORTS, which will be decided at the organization’s annual meeting in June. Decisions by Canada West were made on a sport-by-sport basis, with sports including basketball, cross country, and soccer being approved to begin in the 2027–2028 season. SFU Athletics and Recreation Executive Director Luc Simard thanked the member schools for their support during the application process, adding that SFU intends to continue to work with these schools to gain approval for the women’s volleyball team.

Noting recent news coverage of grade inflation in Canada, Christopher DeLuca (Queen’s University) and Michael Holden (University of Winnipeg) explore the current state of grading in their article for The Conversation. The authors first explain that as demand outpaces supply for postsecondary seats, secondary students and teachers may be altering their behaviour to meet increasingly competitive admissions requirements. They note that, currently, the primary reasons for increased grades are increased graduation rates and changes to improve high school assessment policies. They conclude that as long as grades continue to reflect what students know, grade inflation may not be the problem that many think it is: “having more students achieving higher grades is good, if the grades are warranted and accurately reflect what students know and are able to do.”

With Asian Heritage Month well underway this May, several institutions are continuing to share resources and host special events to raise awareness of and celebrate the heritage of their community members. Langara College is hosting a guided tour of historic Chinatown. The libraries at institutions such as Langara and Niagara College curated reading lists for their communities, while the University of Alberta’s announcement included links to the relevant online and virtual exhibits in its Mactaggart Art Collection. Royal Roads University shared content that included reels of students introducing their favourite dish from their country. University of Lethbridge, University of Saskatchewan, and University of Waterloo were among those that highlighted the contributions of their Asian campus community members, including faculty, students, and alumni.

Supporting students as they transition into cégeps first requires a thorough understanding of who these students are, asserts David Baril (Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières). In a new study by Baril and colleagues, researchers interviewed more than 850 cégep students and found that students tended to fit into one of five different profiles. These profiles, ranging from those in search of autonomy to those in search of belonging, indicate that institutions should avoid treating their new students as a uniform group, according to Baril. The authors offer several suggestions for accommodating students from these profiles, including improved welcome sessions, targeted support for various transitions, and reduced financial pressure.

Algoma University has announced that it will no longer offer direct financial support for three varsity teams, citing a $16.45M deficit. The university has transitioned its running, curling, and Nordic ski athletic programs to a self-funded model. AlgomaU AVP of Student Affairs Dave Trudelle explained that the university remains committed to student-athletes and coaches. The institution will continue to cover Ontario University Athletics and U SPORTS team fees, as well as offering services such as strength and conditioning and athletic therapy. The teams will also continue to compete under the Algoma Thunderbirds name and will be part of the institution’s varsity athletics structures.

In a recent piece for The Conversation, Abu Barkat ullah (Barkat) (University of Canberra) and Mohiuddin Ahmed (Adelaide University) discuss cybersecurity in light of the recent Canvas cybersecurity incident. The authors write that the growth of online and hybrid learning has encouraged institutions to adopt learning management systems that can help manage aspects such as coursework, assessments, and attendance. However, these systems also store a significant amount of sensitive information and are highly interconnected, making them a prime target for cybercriminals. The situation with Canvas, write the authors, highlights the need for institutions to take steps such as implementing stronger security, adding additional protection for particularly sensitive information, and offering cyber-awareness education.

AUPE and CUPE have shared updates on union negotiations and changes at postsecondary institutions in Alberta and Ontario. AUPE Local 071 and Bow Valley College’s Board of Governors have a new tentative agreement incorporating several changes, including retroactive wage increases and increases to benefits. AUPE Local 071 Chapter 001 and Lethbridge Polytechnic have ratified their collective agreement, which includes retroactive wages. AUPE Local 052 and the University of Calgary are continuing to bargain, and have signed off on several items, including changes to respectful workplace language, paid holidays, and special leave. Sessional employees at Renison University College, an affiliated college of the University of Waterloo, have joined CUPE. Members are seeking improvements to job security, wages, and benefits.

Cégep de Victoriaville’s VEC Formation has launched a new training course focused on safely intervening in emergencies relating to electric and hybrid vehicles. Designed for first responders, towing companies, and road traffic controllers, the training focuses on real-world decision-making and coordination of services on the roadside. The program was developed in collaboration with partners such as Cégep de Saint-Jérôme and Collège Montmorency. Cégep de Victoriaville Directrice générale du Service de la formation continue Sylvie Norris explained that the course is designed to help support organizations keep up with emerging challenges as EV and hybrid vehicle technologies rapidly evolve.

St Mary’s University has announced that it will expand its Lightning Athletics varsity offerings with a badminton team. The team will begin playing in the 2026–2027 season. St Mary’s Director of Athletics Nathan Ruff explained that the addition of badminton aligns with the planned direction of the university’s athletic program while also providing a new opportunity for student-athletes to grow. Former Canadian National Team member Andrew Muir will lead the program.

The Université du Québec à Montréal has launched a program that will support new department heads as they take on their role. New department heads will benefit from an orientation and integration session where they will have skills development training, discussion sessions, and access to a platform where they can share their experiences. The Carrefour d’innovation et de pédagogie universitaire will tailor training and resources to the needs of departmental directorates.