UNews - Kathleen Massey

Move-in day, New Student Orientation, first day of classes all on deck for ULethbridge students

trevor.kenney — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 15:51:42 +0000

The students are coming!

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is readying to welcome students at both its Lethbridge and Calgary campuses over the next several days as they begin to arrive for the start of the 2025 Fall Semester. Residences will spring to life over the weekend with the annual move-in day slated for Monday, Sept. 1.

New students will have four days of New Student Orientation this year to help them become comfortable on campus.

“It’s always exciting to see the families come in and get their students settled in their new home,” says Laura Correal, Associate Director of Housing Services. “It’s also a pretty emotional day because for many, this may be their first time living away from home, so we’re there to help with that transition and make things as comfortable as possible for them.”

One of the key activities welcoming students to campus is the annual New Student Orientation (NSO), which has taken on a new look this year. Previously a one-day event, NSO will now run Sept. 2-5, allowing students a full four days to become acclimated to campus and post-secondary life.

“We’ve been wanting to expand programming for many years, and the academic schedule afforded us the opportunity to extend NSO to four days,” says Kendra Fuglerud, Assistant Registrar, Curriculum and Student Records. “This format allows students to attend more than one faculty meet and greet — a great bonus for students in combined degrees or who are curious about exploring another program, major, or minor down the road.”

In addition to multiple meet-and-greet events with faculties and schools, students can take part in scavenger hunts, campus tours, open advising sessions, learn transit tips, get the ins and outs on how to live with a roommate, participate in fun games, chill with art sessions, and more.

“Students can curate an experience just for themselves. They can attend presentations and events throughout the week as they pertain to their interests and curiosities,” adds Fuglerud. “We partnered with folks around campus and beyond to make this week come together, and we’ve been very fortunate to have the support of our colleagues and the community so we could put this iteration of NSO together.”

As well, the StartSmart Quiz returns for its third year. An initiative that began in 2023, ULethbridge encourages all first-year students to take the quiz before they begin their academic journey.

“We’re really pleased with how many students took the quiz last year. It set the tone for this new world they are entering and gave students a leg up heading into their first few weeks by helping them learn about the skills and attitudes needed to succeed at university and proactively connecting them to helpful supports at ULethbridge,” says Kathleen Massey, Vice-Provost (Students). “This is such an important time for new students, and we want to make sure they get off to a positive start because it can really set them up for success and help them grow confidence as post-secondary students.”

First day of classes is Monday, Sept. 8.

Student-focused Faculty of Health Sciences instructor receives Inclusive Education Certificate

trevor.kenney — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 16:56:49 +0000

Keltie Hamilton (BHSc ’20), an instructor in the Public Health program at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Inclusive Education Certificate of Recognition.

Keltie Hamilton teaches Public Health in the Faculty of Health Sciences.

ULethbridge’s Accessible Learning Centre established the award to acknowledge instructors who foster inclusive and accessible learning environments. Students nominate instructors for the award and the final selection is made by a committee representing the Accessible Learning Centre and the Teaching Centre.

“We are extremely pleased to present the Inclusive Education Certificate to Keltie,” says Dawn Vickers, manager of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Accessible Learning Centre. “Keltie draws upon universal design principles to model and promote student learning, personal development and academic success. She initiates opportunities to connect with peers and is eager to expand her knowledge and skills to support students with specific concerns. Students have told me that she facilitates inclusive and welcoming environments that foster positive engagement both within their course and with peers.”

Faculty of Health Sciences Dean, Dr. Jon Doan, Accessible Learning Centre Manager, Dawn Vickers, Keltie Hamilton, Vice-Provost (Students), Kathleen Massey and Executive Director, Student Services, Mark Slomp.

“I’m honoured to have been nominated by students for this award,” says Hamilton. “I work really hard to be accessible to my students. I’m a young new instructor so I try to incorporate a lot of feedback, and I work closely with the Teaching Centre. It’s nice to hear the hard work is paying off and students are noticing. I understand how students might feel about certain deadlines or times of the year.”

“She does so much in class to help her students learn better. She is understanding,” wrote one student.

“This instructor formats her class to best support her students. Professor Hamilton is very understanding and accommodating,” wrote another student. “As long as you communicate to her what is going on, she is willing to work with you and figure out a plan to complete assignments or adapt assignments to your needs. I have never met a professor who is so understanding and who always has her students’ best interests at heart.”

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge expanding REC Room initiative thanks to Embark Student Foundation Major Grants Program

trevor.kenney — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 16:10:42 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will receive $500,000 from the Embark Student Corp., Canada’s education savings and planning company, as part of a $2.7 million grant program aimed at supporting innovative programs, services and initiatives that have a positive impact on student experiences.

ULethbridge’s successful REC (Refresh, Energize, Connect) Room program launch in 2022 is the impetus behind the grant award. Its introduction of indoor recreational spaces that support connection, play and physical activity has been enthusiastically embraced by students and earned recognition from Embark as one of seven projects across the country receiving support.

REC Room spaces have proven to be busy gathering spots for students.

“The Embark Student Foundation Major Grant Program marks our commitment to making the path to and through post-secondary school easier for all Canadians,” says Andrew Lo, President and CEO, Embark. “By supporting these innovative programs, we hope to enrich the lives of students and give them the skills they need to thrive both today and in the future.”

This year, seven recipients were selected as part of the Embark Student Foundation Major Grants Program, with $2.7 million being disbursed to qualifying post-secondary institutions across Canada. Each post-secondary institution selected will receive between $250,000 and $500,000 over five years to build their programs and realize their goals.

“It’s very encouraging to receive this support from Embark and we’re appreciative they recognize how important it is to provide an environment that encourages student flourishing,” says Kathleen Massey, ULethbridge’s vice-provost (students). “This funding creates the opportunity for us to enhance and expand this program through the addition of more indoor REC Room spaces, the construction of new outdoor spaces and the development of related programming.”

REC Rooms are equipped with a variety of activities, including quiet pursuits like puzzles, a giant chess board, virtual reality games, digital games and art hives/murals, Indigenous games, as well as some active games such as ping pong and giant Jenga. For those who feel like just relaxing, there are bean bag chairs for reading, chatting or just zoning out.

“We currently have three indoor locations across campus, and they are full of activity pretty much any time of day,” Mark Slomp, executive director, Student Services. “Research has shown us that when students have connections with one another and engage in exercise and activities and have outlets to laugh and play, it sets them up for success in all the other areas of their academic experience. We’re excited to build on the REC Room concept and further support student flourishing.”

Other post-secondary schools receiving funding from Embark include Concordia ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, Niagara College, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Toronto Metropolitan ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Toronto and Vancouver Island ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. For a further look at their projects, check out this news release from Embark.

About Embark Student Corp.

Embark Student Corp. is Canada’s education savings and planning company. With over $6 billion in assets under management, the company is committed to empowering families along their post-secondary journeys by giving them the resources and tools they need to better plan and save for all that comes with an education. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Embark Student Foundation, a not-for-profit Canadian corporation, the company, registered as a Scholarship Plan Dealer across Canada, manages almost 600,000 RESPs for Canadians nationwide and helped approximately 53,600 students through post-secondary studies last year.

Energy surges through campus with return of students

trevor.kenney — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 20:51:23 +0000

Residence buildings are full, hallways are busy, campus facilities are alive with activity — the students are back.

New Student Orientation featured Luxie as a welcome ambassador.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s 2023 Fall Term begins Wednesday, Sept. 6, and with 3,000 new students rolling into Lethbridge and Calgary campuses, and more than 8,400 students overall, the buzz of a new year has returned.

On Sunday, residence students began moving into campus housing. Residence buildings are full this fall and Housing Services was busy over the long weekend checking students in and helping families get their learners settled.

“It’s exciting to be at nearly full capacity with 960 students in residence including a record 100 international students,” says Laura Correal, Associate Director of Housing Services. “The residence experience plays such a big role in student success and student retention and the introductory activities our residence assistants have planned for students are designed to really make them feel welcome on campus and to start creating that supportive residence community that can have such a positive influence on their academic careers at ULethbridge.”

The record number of international students is not only reflective of residence but across the university. More than 1,200 international students are attending ULethbridge this fall, including more than 350 at the Calgary campus. It’s a new record that speaks to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s commitment to internationalization and its reputation as a welcoming, inclusive, high-quality institution.

Residence buildings were teeming with activity as students moved in over the weekend.

“We’ve put a lot of work into our approach to broadening our reach into international markets, and we’ve done it in a way that’s been very intentional and with the students’ best interests in mind,” says Paul Pan, Executive Director, International. “To bring students from 90 countries to our campus is exciting and creates a campus community reflective of the ULethbridge philosophy of liberal education and creating global citizens who will benefit society throughout the world.”

New Student Orientation is another key part of the first few days of the semester, and it saw more than 1,300 registrants take part on Tuesday (Calgary campus NSO takes place Wednesday). From an opening Pronghorn Athletics Pep Rally to a welcome from new President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Digvir Jayas, keynote speaker Kacie Bosch (BA ’21, former Pronghorn athlete, coach and current after-degree student), campus tours, introductory student services sessions, faculty meet-and-greets and more, the day provided students the opportunity to get their academic journey started on the right foot.

“New Student Orientation really sets the stage for our beginning students, and we spend a lot of time making sure we are meeting the needs of each incoming class,” says Kathleen Massey, vice-provost (students). “There is so much thrown at them the first few weeks they are on campus, socially and academically, and we want to help them with that transition to post-secondary life so that they can feel confident from the outset. We want all our students to achieve success and to know we are here to support them in reaching their goals — and that starts from day one.”

Another key program launched by ULethbridge this fall was the introduction of the StartSmart Quiz, a three-year, proactive student retention initiative designed to help new undergraduate students achieve their academic goals and increase first-year student retention. All new undergraduate students were invited to complete a university readiness self-assessment quiz. While voluntary, it was an opportunity for new students to reflect on their readiness for university. The self-assessment gives feedback on seven skills that research shows contribute to university success.

Jayas, in his address at NSO, welcomed students to campus noting they were both entering their first ULethbridge terms together.

“I know many of you have travelled from across the province, Canada and the world to attend ULethbridge. So have I,” he said. “I have received a very warm welcome from everyone at ULethbridge and the Lethbridge community already and I know you will as well.”

And so it begins!

Buy A Student A Breakfast creates opportunity to support student food security

trevor.kenney — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 17:12:18 +0000

UPDATE: Goal achieved! Thanks to the generosity of the community, the goal of reaching 1,000 student breakfasts has been realized. As a result, the donation window will close at midnight, Nov. 29, 2022, with all funds raised over the goal amount donated to the Students' Union Food Bank.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge community is coming together in support of student food security by kicking off the Buy A Student A Breakfast (BASAB) initiative today — Giving Tuesday. Every dollar donated will be matched by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to provide up to 500 breakfasts for a total of 1,000 student breakfasts, which will be distributed during the first week of final exams in December. Any funds raised in excess of the goal will be donated to the Students’ Union Food Bank.

Breakfast coupons will be handed out on both Lethbridge and Calgary campuses during the first week of final exams.

“Exam time is especially stressful for students, and many are facing food security issues. This initiative comes at a really important time,” says Kathleen Massey, ULethbridge vice-provost, students. “A campaign such as this is a great opportunity for our community and the community at large to show our students through a small gesture that they matter and we’re behind them.”

A 2017 study found that one in four ULethbridge students admitted to having run out of food without having the resources to buy more. Buy A Student A Breakfast allows community members to make a tangible impact on a student’s life for minimal investment. For one $24 gift, matched by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, eight students will receive coupons redeemable for one breakfast sandwich and one coffee or tea at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Tim Hortons or Urban Café (Lethbridge campus) and at Tim Hortons Calgary for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Calgary campus students.

The BASAB campaign begins today and continues through Thursday, December 8, 2022 (see update above). Coupons will then be distributed by the Student Affairs team throughout the first week of the final exam period, Dec. 12-16.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has been running the BASAB program since 2018 and has fed thousands of students over the years.

“We’ve received so much support from our alumni, our campus community and community partners and the students have always been so appreciative of the gesture,” adds Massey. “I think a lot of donors were looking for a way to connect with and support students that was immediate and would show them just how valued they are at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and in our community.”

To give to the Buy A Student A Breakfast campaign, visit encompass.ulethbridge.ca/GivingTuesday2022.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge students returning to campus for full in-person experience

trevor.kenney — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 17:10:00 +0000

A true in-person experience awaits ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge students this fall, promising the on-campus student experience for which ULethbridge is renowned. It’s also what students have been seeking for more than two years.

Campus begins populating this weekend as students and their families start the process of moving into residence. Residences will welcome just under 1,000 students this fall and are at 96 per cent capacity. As well, all social spaces will be open, giving residents the opportunity to create the social connections that are so important for post-secondary success.

Kathleen Massey, ULethbridge’s associate vice-president (students), says the full return of students brings an energy to campus that can’t be rivalled.

“Our students breathe so much life into our community and we’re thrilled to have them back this fall,” she says. “They are at such an exciting moment in their lives, and you can see it in everything they do, from their studies to their social lives. They are discovering their independence, their own voice and their own path and our faculty and staff take great pleasure in helping them find their way.”

There’s much happening over the next 10 days for ULethbridge students.

Residence Move-in

September 4 (first-year students) & September 5 (continuing students)

Students and their families will be hauling boxes and all the comforts of home into campus residence buildings.

New Student Orientation (NSO)

September 6

Starting university means big changes and lots of questions! NSO is a great way to learn about important student services, help students understand who to ask for supports both in their courses and out, and teach them about the academic expectations of being a first-year student.

“New Student Orientation has a very different feel this year than it has in years previous,” says Asheley Cowie, coordinator orientation and transition, Student Engagement. “Knowing more about the students we are welcoming this fall and based on student feedback, we built a program that focuses on supporting the unique student experience for each student. We’ve moved away from a conference-style, general information NSO and created a program that will support this student audience in making connections with fellow students, with their program, their faculty, and the campus.”

NSO Schedule

9 a.m. — 1st Choice Savings Centre Gym — Welcome: Dr. Erasmus Okine, VP Academic, Kathleen Massey, AVP Students, Kairvee Bhatt, ULSU President, Asheley Cowie

9:30 a.m. — 1st Choice Savings Centre Gym — Your 1st Year Experience: A session led by Jennifer Ellis Toddington and Brendan Cummins

10 a.m. — Across Campus — Plan for the Day and Meet your Student Leader

10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. — 1st Choice Savings Centre Foyer — Student Group Booth Fair: LPIRG, UVolunteer, Lethbridge Family Services, Fresh Fest, SAAG, Campus Food for Thought and SWAP

11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. — W650 — Iikaisskini Gathering Centre Tour

11 a.m. to 12 p.m. — Across Campus — Faculty Meet and Greet OR Campus Tours

12 to 1 p.m. — Lunch

1 to 3 p.m. — Across Campus — Faculty Meet and Greet OR Campus Tours

3 to 7 p.m. — ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall Atrium — Graduate Student Orientation

U of L professor Don McIntyre receives inclusive education award

caroline.zentner — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 20:45:59 +0000

Don McIntyre, this year’s recipient of the Inclusive Education Certificate of Recognition at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, has always worked to ensure his students have positive learning experiences, and he became even more innovative amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The annual award was established by the U of L’s Accommodated Learning Centre to acknowledge professors who foster an inclusive learning environment in their classrooms.

“We are delighted to present this certificate on behalf of students, who nominated Don for his inclusive course design and delivery methods,” says Dawn Vickers, manager of the U of L’s Accommodated Learning Centre. “When students experience a welcoming environment that incorporates universal design, they are more likely to feel belonging, fully engage and experience success.”

Kathleen Massey (right), associate vice-president (students), presents Professor Don McIntyre with the Inclusive Education Certificate of Recognition.

“I am so pleased to present this student-nominated award to Don and I’m very grateful for his outstanding commitment to making learning opportunities accessible to all students,” says Kathleen Massey, U of L associate vice-president (students). “By doing so he is ensuring that all students who want to learn in his courses are able to do so in a fully inclusive manner.”

McIntyre, a professor in the Indigenous Governance and Business Management program in the Dhillon School of Business, was nominated by several students who said his use of technology, including speech-to-text software, allowed them to fully participate in the learning experience. He made class recordings available on Moodle so students could revisit them as often as they wanted. Some of his other solutions are not high-tech at all, like wearing a clear plastic mask when teaching so students can lip read. In addition, students appreciated his use of imagery and stories to help convey course materials.

“He also displayed a genuine willingness to listen and learn from his students, especially whenever course material affected his students personally,” says one student.

“I was extremely moved by the compassion he showed me at this difficult time and I have highly recommended his classes to other students,” says another.

“I was floored when I received the note telling me about the award,” says McIntyre. “This is just what I do; I’m not doing it to have someone acknowledge it, but when the acknowledgement comes, it’s very nice. I’m honoured and delighted to be given the opportunity to be a teacher. If someone has come here to learn, it’s incumbent on all of us to figure out how to make it happen. Students have more than enough roadblocks to being able to have an education. The administration and staff have helped me immensely to provide these supports to students on their journey.”

His philosophy is straightforward — if it’s good for one student, others will benefit, too. Along with creating an inclusive classroom, McIntyre gives students multiple ways to learn course content, something that grew out of his Anishinaabe upbringing. One way is to use stories that demonstrate concepts.

“For some students, that hits the mark,” he says. “Other students want something much more pragmatic like a case study. I incorporate repetition, the use of stories, narrative and illustrations, and group discussions into my classroom.”

Through all these ways of sharing class material, McIntyre ensures students’ different ways of learning and knowing are ignited.

“Creating a space of safety, where everyone feels included and valued is what makes a learning experience truly transformational,” says Martha Mathurin-Moe, the U of L’s executive director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. “Learning about the numerous ways in which Professor McIntyre makes his students feel seen, heard and included should be celebrated. This is one of many things we can all do to create an inclusive campus. I congratulate and thank Professor McIntyre for his compassion and innovation in making our U of L campus an amazing place for our students to live and learn.”

The Inclusive Education Award was created to acknowledge professors and instructors who recognize the value of diversity and are responsive, adaptable and collaborative in accommodating learning needs. They demonstrate caring, compassion and empathy by promoting a classroom culture that is welcoming, respectful and inclusive and by adapting their teaching methods and content using universal design principles. Incorporating a universal design for learning framework provides all students, and especially those with disabilities, more opportunity to have a positive and successful post-secondary learning experience.

Massey reappointed as associate vice-president (students)

trevor.kenney — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 23:02:48 +0000

At the forefront of multiple student-experience enhancing initiatives in recent years, Kathleen Massey has been reappointed for a second five-year term as associate vice-president (students) by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors.

“We’re excited that Kathleen will continue in her current role, a role that has intensified greatly throughout the pandemic situation,” says U of L Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Dr. Erasmus Okine. “Kathleen embodies the student-first focus of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and has been instrumental in enhancing student life on campus and recently off campus as well. Her recent work throughout the pandemic experience has been especially important as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and its students have worked together to make the most of a very difficult situation.”

Over the course of her first term, Massey has overseen valuable initiatives such as the introduction of the MyExperience Transcript, a complement to the academic transcript designed to reflect a student’s curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular experiential learning opportunities; a revised campus-wide sexual violence policy; the development of online resources to support the 2SLGBTQ+ community; and co-hosting the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s TEDxULeth 2020 event, among others.

“My objective at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is to do all I can, in collaboration with student leaders and others, to support students to achieve their goals, to help them develop a sense of purpose by providing meaningful opportunities for growth and development, and to remove barriers to their success,” says Massey.

These programs, among others, have led to increasingly strong enrolment numbers and student satisfaction. For Massey, it sets the stage for the future.

“In Student Affairs, we are focused on working with colleagues and students across the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to create new work-integrated learning opportunities for students, launch student leadership development programs, support the achievement of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s enrolment goals, design an inclusive student experience, and to refine our policies, practices, training, and services so they are even more student-focused,” she adds.

Massey came to the U of L in 2017 after holding previous positions at McGill ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary, Centennial College and York ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. She holds a Bachelor of Political Science from York ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and a Master of Leadership from Royal Roads ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. She is currently the President of the Groningen Declaration Network, a foundation based in the Netherlands. Her appointment begins July 1, 2022.

Ensuring a safe and successful fall semester

caroline.zentner — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 16:45:59 +0000

As the start of the Fall 2021 semester approaches, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is eager to welcome students, faculty and staff back to campus after nearly 18 months of largely remote class delivery and working from home.

“I’m looking forward to seeing everybody back and welcoming them to a community whose members support each other to create a healthy and safe environment for all, so we can enjoy the experience the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is known for,” says Kathleen Massey, associate vice-president students.

Kathleen Massey displays her post-COVID-19 vaccination bandage.

Vaccinations are key to a safe return to campus

To ensure a successful fall semester, we encourage everyone to get vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus as a way to help make that happen.

“A return to campus after more than a year of online learning represents a time of excitement for sure, but also anxiety because we have had such a year of isolation and not being able to see one another,” says Holly Kletke, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students’ Union (ULSU) president. “Part of being a student is feeling pride in your institution and also recognizing your own responsibility and agency to make choices every day to keep your peers and yourself safe. We’d like to affirm our position that getting vaccinated is the best way to do all that.”

Priyanka Dutt, president of the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA), is heartened to know the majority of students she’s been in contact with are either vaccinated or taking steps to make sure they’re fully vaccinated by September.

“We, as a community, have a duty to ensure all our members are protected,” says Dutt. “One of my primary drivers to receive the vaccine is my family, specifically my grandmother and my parents, who all have co-morbidities. Ensuring I have the protection to help protect them from viral agents is a very big deal to me.”

Feeling hesitant about getting vaccinated?

While getting vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus is highly encouraged, it is not mandatory. However, studies show the risks of getting COVID-19 sharply decline when more people are vaccinated.

Dr. Trushar Patel, now fully vaccinated, rolls up his sleeve to get a COVID-19 jab.

“Growing up, we all received different vaccines,” says Dr. Trushar Patel, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry with expertise in RNA and viruses. “Vaccines are a normal part of human lives that allow us to protect ourselves from future pathogenic exposures. This is not a new concept. In this particular case, the lack of vaccinations will allow the new variants to continue to evolve. If we want to be safe and our community to be safe, then we all need to do our part.”

Patel says the best ways to stop spreading infection are to get vaccinated and continue wearing masks in indoor settings where social distancing isn’t possible. Research studies show countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, that started effective vaccination campaigns and reached 55 and 68 per cent of the population respectively, are now experiencing significant increases in COVID-19 cases because new variants are spreading mainly among the unvaccinated population.

“Vaccinated people can potentially be exposed to the virus but they’ll fight it off very rapidly,” says Patel. “The current data show the vaccines are effective in combatting variants.”

Patel is aware vaccine hesitancy still exists and points to the long-established science and current data to support the fact they are effective.

“As of July 16, more than 3.57 billion doses of vaccine have been administered across the world,” says Patel. “That equals 47 doses for every 100 people. Some people have said they’ll wait to get the vaccine until other people have received the shots and they can see how it works, but the fact that more than 3.57 billion doses have been administered should bring them some comfort.”

And if anyone would like to discuss their concerns, Patel says he’s happy to make himself available to answer any questions.

Looking ahead to better times

“Getting vaccinated is the way through and out of the pandemic,” adds Massey. “It’s the way to keep each other, our community and those who cannot get vaccinated for a variety of reasons safe. Vaccinations will allow us all to have a fulsome, engaging experience on campus this fall where we can gather with friends, participate in clubs and have events without the cloud of illness hanging over our heads.”

The U of L’s It’s Worth a Shot campaign, designed to help motivate students, staff and faculty to get vaccinated, has seen nearly 3,400 students and 830 staff enter the contest. Its goal is to hasten a return to normal.

“There’s also a trade-off to not getting vaccinated,” says Massey. “Whether it’s concerts, other types of events or entry to certain countries, restrictions are being put in place to limit those activities for people who are not vaccinated.”

The ULSU has even added additional prizes to the student lottery as extra motivation, including free health and dental insurance for a year, a year-long UPass and Fresh Fest tickets. Entries for staff and faculty are being accepted until Aug. 2 and for students, until Sept. 8.

“The beginning of the semester is only a few weeks away and I can’t wait to see all the students and my fellow colleagues,” says Massey. “There’s nothing quite like the energy that September brings and I’m excited to see our campus come alive again.”

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge raises Pride Flag, unveils new 2SLGBTQ+ Resources website to celebrate Pride Month

trevor.kenney — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 19:49:06 +0000

With Pride Month Canada 2021 in full swing, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge raised its Pride Flag today to celebrate a culture of inclusivity and acceptance, which it strives to create on its campuses every day of the year.

The flag raising serves as a visual reminder of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s commitment to fostering an atmosphere that is welcoming and supportive of diversity amongst its students, faculty, staff and community members alike. It is also a complement to a wide array of ongoing campus initiatives for 2SLGBTQ+ persons, including a recent project, the creation of the new 2SLGBTQ+ Resources website (uleth.ca/lgbtq).

“This was really a student-driven initiative and something our students felt was needed not only as a valuable resource for the 2SLGBTQ+ community but for our campus community as a whole,” says Kathleen Massey, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s associate vice-president (students), whose team worked closely with student groups to help develop the website.

“The webpage was developed to create accessible 2SLGBTQ+ resources on campus and was driven by the need for greater visibility and inclusion,” says Kathryn DeLucia, a fourth-year women and gender studies student who was on the working group that helped create the site. “It is vital the U of L continues this work to affirm we are a campus that values queer and trans students and their experiences.”

The site brings together a number of resources the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ had already developed into one location, including policies, procedures and support services. As well, it introduces a suite of new information, such as how to execute a legal name change or preferred name change on university documents and platforms, guidelines for the use of pronouns and links to various research projects happening throughout the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, including about gender and sexuality.

“We consulted with a number of groups on campus before soft launching it in December 2020,” adds Massey. “After that, we gathered additional feedback from students, researchers on campus and colleagues at other universities and incorporated many of their suggestions into what we have today. It’s a site we know will continue to evolve as further conversations around inclusivity and diversity take place.”

The community, both at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and beyond, is invited to visit the site to learn more about the U of L’s commitment toward creating a learning and working environment free of homophobia and transphobia, where 2SLGBTQ+ people (students, staff, faculty) can thrive.

Holly Kletke, president of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students’ Union, says the project continues to advance a culture of inclusivity on campus and throughout society.

“The website page and the resources found within it are a meaningful step forward in affirming our pride, acceptance and support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community on all corners of our campus.”

UNews - Kathleen Massey

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