UNews - Penny Building

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and Volunteer Lethbridge enhance partnership

trevor.kenney — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 18:07:41 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and Volunteer Lethbridge are creating greater opportunities for student community service and volunteerism activities by entering into a partnership that will see Volunteer Lethbridge relocate its offices to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Dr. Foster James Penny Building in mid-November.

“This partnership will prove to be of tremendous benefit to the citizens of Lethbridge by providing more opportunities for our students to serve in the community as volunteers,” says ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President and Vice-chancellor, Dr. Mike Mahon. “It will also be of great value to our students. As a university, we have identified our responsibility to instill a sense of citizenship in our students, and this begins by creating a climate of support and encouragement for community engagement. This partnership further establishes that climate.”

The Penny Building's reception area will now be staffed by Volunteer Lethbridge personnel.

The U of L will give access to approximately 160 sq. m of space for Volunteer Lethbridge, consisting of five offices on the building’s second level. Volunteer Lethbridge staff will also undertake reception duties in the Penny Building’s main lobby, thereby allowing community access to the building and its amenities throughout regular office hours.

Many U of L students already embrace the volunteer experience and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has worked with Volunteer Lethbridge on a number of initiatives, such as the annual Volunteer Fair and through participation in Project Paintbursh.

“This is such a good opportunity for us to further establish our relationship with Volunteer Lethbridge because it’s a partnership that allows both organizations to better serve the citizens of Lethbridge,” says Mahon. “When the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ opened the Penny Building, a key goal was to strengthen the connection we have with Lethbridge and the southern Alberta community, and this partnership continues that mission.”

Volunteer Lethbridge will have office space on the building's second floor, bringing community groups into the Penny on a regular basis.

Volunteer Lethbridge began as a three-year, federally-funded project through the YWCA in 1981, operating as the Lethbridge Volunteer Bureau. It was then transformed into an independent, not-for-profit agency and registered as a society in 1986. Later renamed the Community Volunteer Centre, it adopted its current name in 2000 and is currently associated with more than 100 member agencies.

Its move to the Penny Building will enhance partnership opportunities with the U of L as Volunteer Lethbridge looks to develop specific volunteer activities for students through various programs, such as the Serving Communities Internship Program (SCiP), offered through Volunteer Alberta and the Government of Alberta.

“Building a resilient community is what volunteerism is all about. What we have to offer together will strengthen the volunteer involvement capacity in our community,” says Diana Sim, executive director for Volunteer Lethbridge. “We welcome the general public and not-for-profit groups to come visit us at our new location to learn more about how volunteerism impacts the community.”

Once in the Penny Building, Volunteer Lethbridge staff will provide reception for visitors to the building, schedule bookings of the building’s community rooms as well as operate a U of L ticket kiosk and merchandise centre.

The Penny Building currently houses the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s alumni relations and annual giving programs, the U of L Call Centre and gallery space for Faculty of Fine Arts students.

“By bringing Volunteer Lethbridge into the building, many more people from Lethbridge and throughout southern Alberta will get a chance to utilize the space and participate in community-minded initiatives,” says Mahon.

Open Mike - March 2013, Understanding and accepting the responsibility of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's role in the community

trevor.kenney — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 20:52:41 +0000

One of the words that often comes up when the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is in conversation with our civic leaders is that of community.

The U of L plays an integral role in the Lethbridge community and it is not one I take lightly, rather it is at the heart of many of the things we do on a daily basis.

Just recently, we invited the Lethbridge community to come to us and experience the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge through Play Day. It was one way of giving back to the community as a whole and opening our doors to the public.

As the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ looks ahead however, rather than only asking the community to come to us, we want to bring the U of L to the Lethbridge community. With the openings of the Penny Building and the new community arts centre, and subsequently a move of the U of L Music Conservatory downtown, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is excited to be a driving force in the vitalization of the downtown core.

The Penny Building is another example of how the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ continues to further its links to the community of Lethbridge.

The Penny Building represents a new direction for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, as it brings several key elements of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to downtown Lethbridge. The Office of Alumni Relations, as well as members of the Development office within ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Advancement, has relocated downtown.

As well, a new ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ gift shop and gallery space have been constructed in the Penny, allowing an area for Fine Arts students to showcase their work to the general public.

The community arts centre promises to be an iconic representation of the artistic culture of Lethbridge, and it is only fitting that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is playing a major role in its development. By moving the Music Conservatory to the downtown area, the U of L is helping to give arts and culture a profile in this city that it has never before experienced.

Our esteemed researchers are also looking to create more community connections through the development of the inaugural Community/��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Research Exchange (CURE) event, to be held Mar. 22.

Designed to reduce barriers that might prevent collaboration between key business interests in the city and the U of L's research expertise, CURE promises to increase the community's accessibility to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's intellectual resources in a way that's never been done before.

One of the key points of discussion throughout the Strategic Plan consultation process was the theme of community and how the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's contribution to Lethbridge is absolutely vital. This was further driven home during conversations with our Senate members, who expressed a great interest in furthering the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's role in helping to support and shape community initiatives.

To that end, I can foresee the new Strategic Plan formalizing a community engagement strategy much in the same way that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ developed a formal strategy for First Nations Métis and Inuit initiatives and is working on a similar venture regarding internationalization.

In this way, we are able to put to paper not only the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's commitment to continuing to be a vital member of the Lethbridge community, but we recognize viable strategies to bolster our community relations activities.

This story first appeared in the March 2013 issue of the Legend. For look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Information outlet has the right answer

trevor.kenney — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:24:17 +0000

You no doubt have noticed the friendly faces greeting you at the Campus Information Services outlet located directly across from Tim Hortons in the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness. This operation, which just recently opened, is yet another initiative from the Recruitment and Retention Project.

To develop the initial operation, Ryan Hall has been seconded as the operational manager in a strategic partnership with Sport & Recreation Services. Campus Information Services (CIS) team members are also members of the U-Crew, a group of students trained by Recruitment and Student Life in way-finding, general service information and conducting campus tours.

"This pool of trained students is an enormous benefit in pulling together a knowledgeable team," says Hall.

Operational manager Ryan Hall chats with a student at the Campus Information Services outlet.

Although the majority of inquiries CIS receives have been related to way finding, team members are also equipped to provide Faculty information, general assistance and ID Card information, as well as distribution and pick-up services for departments.

Way finding includes the physical location of spaces on campus, as well as the location of service information on the web; e.g., the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Calendar. Slightly more than half of the inquiries to date are from students, with the other inquiries coming from faculty, staff and the local community.

Other duties for CIS team members include assisting several student service units across campus in developing programs and databases and monitoring the Services for Students web page to ensure all web links are active.

"This is a win-win situation, because it allows our students the opportunity to gain more information about our student services from across campus, then turn around and share that information more broadly," says Hall. "It also gives these units increased and more sustainable service levels and provides much more information to our clients."

When major campus events such as convocation, Horns Athletics, New Student Orientation and the campus open house take place, the CIS outlet space is shared.

Campus Information Services will also co-ordinate the services within the Collaborative Learning Centre located in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall Atrium, along with a support team of service professionals such as Library Peer-Assisted Technology Support Students (PATTS), and the I.T. Solutions Centre staff.

While the operation has only been open a few months, Hall and his team have already accumulated a great deal of information for distribution, and made connections across campus. They are now entering the next phase of implementation by co-ordinating their services for the downtown Penny Building and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Calgary and Edmonton campuses. As well, the creation of a web site is in the planning stages, bringing the information to an online format. The end goal is to provide one central location for the collection and distribution of general ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ information, as well as a meeting place for campus tours.

Campus Information Services operates from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday with reduced hours heading into the holiday period. All inquiries are logged, in order to monitor traffic to adjust the hours of operation to meet client demand. The Campus Information Services team invites everyone to let it know how to better assist in the collection and distribution of information to make the U of L a more welcoming and service-friendly university.

This story first appeared in the January 2013 edition of the Legend. To view the entire issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Future of Penny Building looks bright

trevor.kenney — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 21:23:46 +0000

It's taken a few years, but the redevelopment of the downtown Dr. James Foster Penny Building is coming along. Parts of the building are already accessible and the main floor is set to open in January 2013. A recent $800,000-renovation to Level 1 and sections of Level 2 has enhanced the building immensely.

Upon completion, the Alumni Relations office within ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Advancement will move into its new home, complete with five offices and a meeting room. As well, a new ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ gift shop will be created and the art gallery space updated, allowing Faculty of Fine Arts students a venue to showcase their work. The building's entrance will also be spruced up and the stairwell to the second floor is receiving a facelift.

An artist's conception of the lobby area inside the Penny Building.

The U of L Conservatory of Music is calling the second level of the Penny Building home until it moves into the new downtown Community Arts Centre in the spring of 2013.

Meanwhile, other areas of Level 2 continue to undergo construction, including a community meeting room, boardroom and upgrades to the washrooms and kitchen area.

The U of L Call Centre is also housed on the upper level of the building. It will continue to occupy the space part time throughout the year.

Renovations to the Penny Building have been ongoing since it was donated to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 2007. Formerly a furniture store and a pool hall, the Penny Building has a long history in Lethbridge. Unfortunately, it wasn't in the greatest condition when the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ took ownership, and with no set purpose for its use, construction to the building didn't get off to a roaring start.

The Project Management Office (PMO) first began work on the building to make it functional starting with the creation of gallery space for the Faculty of Fine Arts. However, there was a slight delay before the gallery could move in.

"We were doing the renovation for Fine Arts, but at the time, the Southern Alberta Art Gallery needed a home because their building was being renovated, says Project Manager Greg Lacey. "So we renovated the Penny Building for Fine Arts knowing that they wouldn't move in until after SAAG was done occupying the building."

In 2010, SAAG moved out and Fine Arts moved in, and soon after the PMO began an overhaul of the mechanical components throughout the building. Previously, each floor was broken into two zones, which offered little control of the heating and cooling systems among other mechanical operations.

"We did that for functionality of the space because we wanted to be able to mechanically zone the area to outfit anything we wanted to," says Lacey.

All renovations included the installation of energy efficient lighting and low voltage relays. A new hot water tank was also installed.

"We are using anything we can to make the building as energy efficient as possible," says Lacey.

Situated in downtown Lethbridge, the 2,862 gross sq. m. Penny Building not only presents more space for U of L programming, it is the perfect site for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to host events and further immerse itself into the community – part of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's strategic plan to build relationships off campus.

"Right from the get-go, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ identified the building as a good place to have galas and other events," says Lacey, adding many events have already been held on the site.

Future phases of the building project have yet to be outlined, but it may include renovations to the bar, art gallery area, and storage space as well as new signage.

This story first appeared in the December 2012 issue of the Legend. For a look at the entire issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Summer campus projects give new look

trevor.kenney — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 17:26:01 +0000

As another academic year gets underway, new and returning students, staff and faculty will see some significant changes to the U of L's physical campus.

The Department of Facilities and its Project Management Office have been working diligently to create and renovate a variety of new and improved spaces.

This past summer was one of the largest building seasons the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has ever seen – about $30 million worth – making our campus the busiest building site south of Calgary. While construction crews have been working around the clock and most projects are near completion, not all are finished.

The new quad area north of Markin Hall promises to give the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ another parkland setting, complete with rolling hills and well-lit walking paths.

The Facilities department appreciates everyone's patience as crews wrap up the remaining construction, and ask that all posted signs be obeyed to ensure everyone's safety.

The second and final phase of the mechanical upgrades to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Centre for the Arts should be done by early September. A typical break-in period of new equipment is expected to follow. The project will not only improve air quality but also create a more energy efficient building operation.

Several areas of the PE Building are also wrapping up construction, including the finishing touches on the south plaza entrance as well as the indoor PE staircase, both of which should be open by October.

The newly renovated day-use change rooms in the Max Bell Regional Aquatic Centre should also be operational by early October. The nearby underground Physical Education Tunnel re-opened just prior to the first day of classes.

The new sports medicine clinic in PE100, the area below the south end of the running track, is on schedule to open by the end of September. Once complete, the clinic will feature physiotherapy and exam rooms, treatment areas and doctor's offices.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Quad north of Markin Hall, featuring a core open space surrounded by small rolling hills, well-lit sidewalks and landscaping should be ready for use by October.

The final details of the parking lot redevelopment will also conclude later this month. The lots have been redesigned to offer more practical parking and improve pedestrian safety. Phase 2 of the parking lot project will get underway in spring 2013.

Perhaps the biggest project on campus, the ongoing construction of the 259-bed Aperture Park residence is on schedule and set to open July 2013.

Off campus, the downtown Penny Building will undergo renovations starting mid-September.

Details on these projects can be found at www.uleth.ca/facilities.

For more information on any of these projects, contact Brian Sullivan at 403-329-2592.

This story first appeared in the September 2012 issue of the Legend. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Events - March/April

trevor.kenney — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 17:41:16 +0000

Lectures

Mar. 15 | Brain Awareness Week
Dr. Bruce McNaughton presents, How Memory Works and Why it Sometimes Doesn't
7 p.m., Yates Memorial Centre

Mar. 16 | Pizza, Pop and Presentation
How to deal with annoying people (& make sure you're not one)
Noon, TH143

Mar. 16 | Art Now: DodoLab
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Mar. 16 | Department of Philosophy Speakers' Series | Kent Peacock presents, Energy Entanglement and Causality in Quantum Mechanics
4 p.m., B650

Mar. 16 | Climate Change National Speaker Series | Thomas F. Pedersen presents, Climate Change and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions: Blending Science, Social Science, Politics and Opportunity
7 p.m., PE261

Mar. 18 | Art Now: Chris Cran
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Mar. 21 | ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Scholars Talk
Judith Kulig presents, Rural Health: Expanding our Horizons through a Community-Based Research Program
1 p.m., Andy's Place (AH100)

Mar. 21 | Architecture & Design Now: Peter Fleming | 6 p.m., C610

Mar. 23 | Pizza, Pop and Presentation
Mindfulness, strategies to help with stress, anxiety, trauma and focus
Noon, TH143

Mar. 23 | WestGrid Seminar Series
Raymond Spiteri discusses stiffness analysis of cardiac cell models
1 p.m., CRDC, L1126

Mar. 24 | ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Scholars Talk
Dr. Heidi MacDonald presents, Coming of Age During the Great Depression in Canada
1 p.m., Andy's Place (AH100)

Mar. 25 | Art Now: Jessica Bradley
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Mar. 28 | Art Now: Jim Ellis
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Mar. 28 | Architecture & Design Now: Jim Ellis | 6 p.m., C610

Mar. 30 | Pizza, Pop and Presentation
Stressed?! Strategies to handle stress | Noon, TH241

Mar. 31 | ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Scholars Talk
Marc Roussel presents, Randomness in Biochemical Reactions
1 p.m., Andy's Place (AH100)

Apr. 4 | Art Now: Ken Allan
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Apr. 6 | WestGrid Seminar Series
Masao Fujinaga discusses using MATLAB on WestGrid equipment
1 p.m., CRDC, L1126

Apr. 7 | Pizza, Pop and Presentation
Study Skills | 1:15 p.m., L1170A

Miscellaneous

Mar. 11 to Apr. 15 | ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Art Gallery Exhibition | Annual Curated Student Exhibit | Main Gallery

Mar. 16 | Farewell Reception: Bill Hudgins | Retirement reception for longtime staffer Bill Hudgins
2:30 p.m., Andy's Place (AH100)

Mar. 16 | Documentary Film screening
The Union: The Business Behind Getting High | 7 p.m., the Zoo

Mar. 18 | Public Health Ethics Videoconference | Moral Residue, Moral Distress, and the Hope of Moral Dialogue: Navigating Competing Demands in Public Health Practice
Noon, B716

Mar. 19 | CCBN Open House
Tour the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Mar. 22 | Sun Life Financial Leadership Program | Employer information session
5:30 p.m., Andy's Place (AH100)

Mar. 25, Apr. 4, Apr. 11 | Volunteer Tax Program | Students get their taxes filed for free
9 a.m., Markin Hall, M2044

Performances

Mar. 17 | Faculty Artists & Friends Series | La Virtuosissima Cantatrice: Sings by Italian Baroque Women
8 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Mar. 22 | Music at Noon: Dr. Thomas Staples (horn), Glen Montgomery
12:15 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Mar. 22-26 | Richard III by William Shakespeare | The eternal classic fraught with treachery, seduction and murder as Richard III attempts to claim the throne of England
8 p.m. nightly, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre

Mar. 26 | Rhythm-a-ning: Adventures in Rhythm | U of L Jazz Ensemble performs selections from jazz performers/composers including Thelonius Monk, Stan Kenton and Count Basie
8 p.m., Southminster United Church

Mar. 28 | Shadowcatcher
Lethbridge Symphony with the U of L Faculty Brass Quintet: Trudi Mason (trumpet); Keith Griffioen (trumpet); Dr. Thomas Staples (horn); Gerald Rogers (trombone); Nick Sullivan (bass trombone) | 8 p.m., Southminster United Church

Mar. 29 | Music at Noon: Sandra Stringer (mezzo-soprano) & Glen Montgomery (piano) | 12:15 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Mar. 31 | Plays and Prose Competition Winners – Evening Celebration
U of L students read their winning entries from the Striking Prose and PlayRight Prize competitions
7 p.m., David Spinks Theatre

Apr. 1-2 | Global Drums
Enjoy Steel Drums, African Drums, Taiko Ensemble, Brazilian and Samba Ensemble
8 p.m. nightly, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre

Apr. 5 | Joining Forces: Vox Musica and LCI Singers | The groups perform individually, then join forces for John Rutter's Mass for the Children | 8 p.m., Southminster United Church

Apr. 8 | U of L Wind Orchestra
Wind Up
8 p.m. Southminster United Church

Apr. 9 | Western Wind
U of L Singers and Women's Chorus capture the spirit of Renaissance choral masters Jon Taverner and Christopher Tye in a program of wind-inspired music | 8 p.m., Southminster United Church

Apr. 12 | Music at Noon: Studio Showcase | 12:15 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

For a look at the March issue of the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ takes provincial budget in stride

trevor.kenney — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 17:34:03 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge senior administration, already operating under the premise that no increases to base operating grants would be forthcoming, was not taken by surprise when the Alberta government released its 2011-2012 budget recently. Moreover, having taken measures to deal with forecasted budget shortfalls, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is moving ahead with its preparation of a balanced 2011-2012 U of L budget.

"The budget they handed down was essentially what we were expecting," says ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ president Dr. Mike Mahon. "We're going to receive about the same amount of base funding as we received last year. While that still equates to a net loss as our operating costs rise, it is something we dealt with last year and what we have been preparing for this year."

The provincial budget committed $3 billion to Alberta Advanced Education and Technology, slightly less than the $3.2 billion it received in 2010-2011. Campus Alberta grants to the province's 26 post-secondary institutions increased by $61.6 million.

For the U of L, whose single largest revenue stream (66 per cent) is from government grants, the Campus Alberta grant amounts to $99,966,673.

"This is at the same base level as received in 2010-2011," says Mahon. "But this includes some additional support for basic infrastructure costs that we've borne over the past year, about $1.4 million for the operations of Markin Hall, the Community Sports Stadium and the Penny Building."

Mahon says the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ will also receive a one-time transition grant of $1.2 million from Advanced Education and Technology that will be used to fund initiatives relating to the U of L's strategic priorities, as well as to cope with further anticipated operating budget reductions in future years.

"The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has adopted a very prudent approach to dealing with budget constraints, and we've seen departments throughout the institution continue to provide the very best service to our students while meeting these challenges," adds Mahon. "As we move forward with the 2011-2012 budget, I trust we will continue to give our students the quality educational experience they've grown to expect."

UNews - Penny Building

��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ and Volunteer Lethbridge enhance partnership

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