SLC Surge volleyball programs join OCAA as varsity programs

St Lawrence College’s volleyball programs will be transitioning to the Ontario College Athletics Association (OCAA) as varsity teams, beginning in the 2025-26 season. This marks a return to varsity volleyball for the college, which last competed in the OCAA for volleyball during the 1997-98 season. “We are thrilled to be making this announcement as we have been working towards this day for some time now” said OCAA Manager Athletics & Student Engagement Kevin Biggs. “For the last 10 years, our club volleyball programs have offered our students an opportunity to play competitive volleyball while studying at SLC. […] It was clear that it’s time to advance the teams to the varsity level.”

Université du Québec à Montréal and the music organization Adisq have signed a new collaborative agreement that will support joint projects and efforts related to reviving and promoting Montréal’s Quartier Latin. The agreement builds upon an existing relationship between the two organizations, which have long collaborated to support and promote the Québec music scene. It comes at a time when multiple music-focused organizations such as Adisq are moving to the Quartier Latin. Under this new agreement, the partners will create new music industry related training and working groups at UQAM, establish internships in Adisq’s areas of expertise, and host networking and knowledge mobilization activities.

Trent University will launch a Master of Arts Management program in Fall 2025. The program will prepare students to work in the cultural sector by providing training in arts and business. It will explore topics such as modern arts management, Indigenous artifact repatriation and data sovereignty, budgeting, and marketing. The 12-month program includes a paid co-op placement in which students will work with arts organizations such as museums, theatres, or galleries. “By helping students develop both their creativity and strategic thinking, our graduates will be well-prepared to lead in arts management and shape the future of cultural production and policy,” said Trent Associate Dean of Graduate Studies Suzanne Bailey.

In a recent article for University Affairs, Diane Peters discusses activist-in-residence programs. These programs provide displaced activists with a space where they can potentially enhance their career or cause, gain access to university resources, and have their contributions honoured. Simon Fraser University CERi Co-director Am Johal explained that activists-in-residence benefit universities by showing “us that universities can do a much better job of interfacing with crises that are happening in real time.” Challenging the status quo at universities could also shift relationships between the institutions and the communities. Peters details how activist-in-residence programs require funding—which can be challenging to secure on a consistent basis—and constant effort from those that are running them.

The University of Calgary is reporting an $11M revenue decrease due to a nearly 9% decline in international student enrolment this Fall. CBC reports that these declines will have a lasting impact, as these students would have remained at the university for several years. UCalgary Students’ Union President Ermia Rezaei-Afsah said that it is difficult for UCalgary to find funding sources to replace the loss of international students. “We really want to see investment from the Government of Alberta into postsecondary education because now we really don’t have many options or levers left,” said Rezaei-Afsah. UCalgary is reportedly considering raising tuition next year.

The University of Guelph has received $7M in renewed funding from Kim and Stu Lang through The Angel Gabriel Foundation. The funding will support the Ontario Veterinary College’s (OVC) Kim and Stu Lang Community Healthcare Partnership Program (CHPP) and Remy’s Fund. Part of the funding will help OVC meet the growing demand for CHPP mobile clinics—which provide animal health care to underserved populations—by helping to secure human resources. A total of $2M is designated for Remy’s Fund, which helps improve access to treatment for CHPP patients with an illness or injury that cannot be treated at the mobile clinic.

Memorial University has been announced as an official community partner of the 2025 Canada Games. Memorial will be transformed into the Games Village, housing over 4,800 athletes, coaches, and managers. The university will provide space for provincial and territorial mission offices, medical and wellness clinics, and media centres. The university will also provide competition space: the Aquarina—which is currently undergoing $25M in renovations—will accommodate diving and swimming events; the Field House will host basketball and volleyball; and the Fortis Canada Games Complex is currently being constructed for athletics and soccer. VOCM reports that, to minimize disruption to students in residence, Memorial has adjusted the start and end dates for its Spring and Fall semesters.

OCAD University has unveiled a new website and app that offer new ways to engage with the institution. The website has been fully redesigned and includes features such as an expanded showcase of student projects and an interactive events calendar. The new myOCADU mobile app—developed for faculty, staff, and students—provides quick access to essential resources, tools, and services. The app also includes an AI-augmented search tool that draws on content from all official OCAD U channels to provide users with quick access to relevant information.

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) has received $50M from the Mastercard Foundation for the Inuit Nunangat University, bringing the institution one step closer to becoming a reality. The donation will help establish key startup elements, build capacity, advance academic plans, develop courses, improve digital connectivity, and enhance community engagement. ITK President Natan Obed said that the goal is to create an institution where students can “be grounded in Inuit society and also have a full spectrum of educational opportunities that include learning more about our society and our practices.” ITK is seeking $50M from the Government of Canada in next year’s budget, with a total of $160M needed to start the university.

The BC College of Family Physicians (BCCFP) is calling on the Government of British Columbia to take action to address a “family care crisis.” In an open letter, the BCCFP noted that 40% of family physicians in the province plan to reduce their hours or retire within the next five years. BCCFP Board Member Dr Jennifer Lush urged the government to introduce changes—such as paid sick time and maternity leave—to “make [family practice] an attractive career choice for young physicians who are coming out of medical school.” Lush also outlined the importance of streamlining the licensing process for physicians, as well as addressing the debt accumulated during postsecondary and professional training.