October 10, 2025

St Thomas More College has received a $5M gift from Les Filles de la Providence of Saskatchewan to establish a Chair in Indigenous Spirituality and Reconciliation. The position—which is expected to be filled by next fall—was inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action directed at educational institutions. Once hired, the chair will focus on Indigenous spirituality and ceremony and support teaching, research, and community outreach. “Our hope is that every student will have some exposure to Indigenous culture or Indigenous ceremony or Indigenous ways of knowing during the time that they are studying at St Thomas More,” said STM President Carl Still.

Several postsecondary institutions have announced special events or shared resources this week in light of World Mental Health Day. Assiniboine College, the University of Ottawa, and Western University held special fairs and events focused on wellness. Assiniboine is bringing representatives from various wellness organizations to campus, while UOttawa and Western held events with institutional resources and supports available and activities such as a build-a-bear workshop (UOttawa) and a petting zoo (Western). Brock University, Mount Allison University, and the University of Alberta were among those that shared mental health and wellness resources with their campus community. MtA also launched its Well-being Roadmap, a year-long initiative focused on sparking conversation and promoting healthy practices around wellbeing.

Statistics Canada has released a feasibility study outlining university financial ratios derived from Financial Information of Universities Surveys (FINUNI) from 2016/17 to 2022/23. University finances were broken down by several characteristics, including U15 and Non-U15 status, institution size, and whether the institution was an undergraduate or graduate university. The authors noted the increase in tuition funding ratios over the years examined, highlighting an increasing dependence on tuition as a source of funding. They also pointed to the impacts of the pandemic, as seen in both the drop in ancillary revenues and the decreases in expenditures and high interest revenue. FINUNI 2024/25 data reflecting the changes to international enrolment on universities will be available in Summer 2026.

The University of Victoria has officially opened its new Indigenous Law wing .The $38.1M facility was designed by Two Row Architect to reflect Coast Salish teachings with natural materials such as pillars of fir and spruce, gathering spaces with strong acoustics, and light-filled spaces. It will house Indigenous law teaching and learning activities, and will host the Access to Justice Centre for Excellence, the Business Law Clinic, the Environmental Law Centre, and the Indigenous Laws Research Unit. “This new (building) stands not simply as a building, but as a testament to decades of vision, perseverance, and relationship building,” said UVic Associate Dean Indigenous Sarah Morales (Su-taxwiye).

University Affairs reports that parliament is reviewing whether equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) should remain a criterion in the determining who receives federal government grants. Witnesses before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Research offered sharply contrasting views. Supporters argued that EDI is essential to research excellence, public wellbeing, and equitable access to funding. Critics countered that EDI requirements politicize science, restrict academic freedom, and undermine merit-based evaluation. The committee is expected to report its findings and make recommendations to Parliament by the end of the year.

A group of First Nations University faculty members have issued a written statement calling for change at the university. CBC reports that that the statement—signed anonymously by “concerned [FNU] faculty”—outlines their issues with the university’s leadership style and financial management, as well as the recent statement from the board of governors, which they said could be perceived as “threatening our rights to academic freedom and open expression.” The faculty are reportedly calling for the suspension of the university’s executive team, the dissolution of the board of governors, and an end to “political interference by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations.” CTV News states that the Government of Saskatchewan is following the situation.

Inside Higher Ed reporter Ashley Mowreader explores how team teaching—where two or more instructors share responsibility for a course—can offer significant benefits for both students and faculty, especially in first-year courses. Using Harvey Mudd College as an example, Mowreader highlights how pairing junior and senior faculty to create teaching teams fosters mentorship, enriches pedagogy, and brings fresh perspectives into the classroom. Additionally, students benefit from exposure to diverse disciplines, collaborative teaching styles, and shared office hours that expand access to academic support. While noting that team teaching can be time-intensive and logistically complex, Mowreader argues that proactive planning and communication can help instructors at any level navigate challenges and create more responsive learning environments.

Northern College’s Kirkland Lake campus has received a formal vote of support from the Town of Kirkland Lake council, which passed a motion affirming the campus’s role in local development and prosperity. Introduced by Mayor Stacy Wight, the motion asserts that access to postsecondary education is fundamental to community growth, workforce development, and social wellbeing. It highlights the importance of community colleges like Northern College in creating opportunities for youth, adult learners, and newcomers, and calls for future funding to sustain their impact. The council also recognized the Kirkland Lake campus’s historic significance as Northern College’s flagship location and underscored its value to the town’s long-term sustainability.

Cégep Édouard-Montpetit has officially opened a new outdoor learning space for its Baobab educational daycare centre. Supported by the Cégep Foundation and Desjardins, this outdoor space will offer children under 5 years of age a stimulating environment to explore, play, and socialize, while giving cégep students in the early education techniques program a place to practice innovative pedagogical approaches in nature-based education. Cégep Directrice des études Emmanuelle Roy said that the space embodies the cégep’s desire to make a difference in the community.

Brock University has been recognized as a Centre of Excellence in Logistics Learning through its partnership with the Canadian Institute of Traffic and Transportation (CITT). Accompanying this recognition, Brock announced that it will launch the Professional Certificate in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. The professional certificate includes several micro-credentials that provide advanced standing toward the CITT-Certified Logistics Professional Designation and is supported by licensed materials and exams provided by CITT. CITT Chief Administrative Officer Chrissy Aitchison said that the partnership “not only expands access to high-quality logistics education but also supports learners in building the skills and credentials that employers across Canada are actively seeking.”