UNews - Destination ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ

Committed to caring, Mirau supportive of SOS

trevor.kenney — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 22:12:34 +0000

Heather Mirau began her career at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge as director of Housing, Food & Conference Services. It was a position that suited her ambitions well – not just professionally, but personally too. Mirau always felt a responsibility to help students succeed, and as the department’s director, she monitored the pulse of the campus population and addressed the needs of residents as they arose.

Heather Mirau may have changed roles at the U of L but her commitment to students remains.

While Mirau has many memories and stories over her years at the U of L, the plight of one particular student stands out in her mind above the rest. Mirau describes the student as a shy, but friendly young man with a bright mind and positive attitude. By all accounts he had a promising future, but there was one problem: the student was struggling financially – and rather desperately at that.

“Every once in a while I’d buy his lunch to keep him going,” Mirau recalls. “Unfortunately there were a lot of stories on campus like his, and there continues to be today. Financial struggle is a very real issue for a lot of students, and it has ripple effects across the entire university.”

Mirau’s career has advanced over the years and her commitment to student success has grown right along with it. Three years ago she became director of Integrated Planning, a position that gives Mirau the opportunity to serve the needs of students in a much broader way. While her professional contributions have undoubtedly made a difference in countless students’ lives – as she did with the financially struggling resident years ago – Mirau continues to contribute personally to students as well by making ongoing donations to the Supporting Our Students (SOS) fund.

“If you care about students and want to help them succeed, the SOS fund is a great way to do that,” says Mirau. “SOS alleviates some of the financial pressure that many students face, which allows them to focus on their studies and become more engaged in university life. When you contribute to SOS, you become part of a caring community. You help shift the social dynamic on campus and proactively create the kind of university the U of L aims to be.”

Mirau believes that the size of the U of L gives the institution a unique advantage in its ability to become the type of university that attracts students based not only on programming, but also on cultural climate.

“We are a closely knit community. There’s a connective thread that runs throughout the institution,” says Mirau. “We are Alberta’s Destination ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and that defines how we support our students.”

SOS offers financial assistance to students in all Faculties and programs at the U of L. Contributors can choose a fund designation for their gifts or leave the allocation to the discretion of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

“It brings us together as a caring community and that’s something I really want to be a part of,” says Mirau of SOS. “Everyone who contributes to SOS feels the energy that’s created through the fund, and it grows with every new donation. The positive effects absolutely snowball.”

Join Heather and support our students today.

Alberta's Destination ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ

david.kirby — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 14:31:52 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge campus is always spectacular in fall. Adorned with red, yellow and orange, campus kisses summer goodbye in the morning chill and takes on an autumn glow, welcoming the return of students.

Excitement is palpable those first few days in September. Students flood the hallways, looking for new classes, meeting new friends and making new memories.

This semester, more than 8,300 students are enrolled on the U of L’s Lethbridge, Calgary and Edmonton campuses. And it’s these students – each one of them – who are the driving reason behind what’s ahead for the U of L.

This semester, more than 8,300 students are enrolled on the U of L’s Lethbridge, Calgary and Edmonton campuses.

At the 2013 Fiat Lux address this fall, U of L President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon introduced the draft 2014-2019 Strategic Plan. Building on its predecessor, this next edition – a sequel, really – outlines five familiar priorities: excel as a comprehensive university, continue enhancing the student experience, promote access to quality post-secondary education, build internal community while enhancing relationships with external communities, and enhance the sustainability of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

The plan comes at a pivotal time for the U of L – a time when universities across the province are re-evaluating budget priorities.

“Our Strategic Plan and mandate tell us quite clearly who we are and what our priorities are,” says Mahon. “We will be the Alberta university recognized for our commitment to the individual person, for the quality, uniqueness and responsiveness of our programs, and for our accessibility to diverse communities. We will be Canada’s destination for all who seek a comprehensive, liberal education-based university that promotes a diverse and inclusive environment and inspires research-informed teaching and learning, creative discovery, scholarship, professional endeavours, experiential opportunities and community engagement.”

After a busy summer, there are a lot of noticeable changes on campus this fall – all aimed at enhancing the student experience and putting the U of L on the map as Alberta’s Destination ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

On the south end of campus, the new student residence, Mt. Blakiston House, opened its doors in August, providing a new home-away-from-home for 259 students.

“Mt. Blakiston offers a great experience because it is built to accommodate students: every detail was thought out by students for students,” says resident and third-year U of L student Deserae Gogel. “I love the large windows and how much light we get; all of the little study nooks are amazing for group or independent study; and having a work-out facility on the first floor saves me a cold hike to the PE building.”

Evidence of the 2012 ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Campus Master Plan taking shape can also be seen with the development of the new quad, a vibrant outdoor green space that is outside of Markin Hall. A visible expression of university community, the area features a core open space surrounded on three sides by small rolling hills – an ideal gathering space for students, staff and visitors. The Suitcase sculptures, created by longtime fine arts faculty member and former associate dean, the late Carl Granzow, stand at the southeast section and will greet visitors for years to come.

The Suitcase sculptures, created by longtime fine arts faculty member and former associate dean, the late Carl Granzow, stand at the southeast section of the new quad and will greet visitors for years to come.

The main entrance to the Students’ Union Building is in the midst of transformation with the revitalization of the South Plaza – again aimed at creating a gathering space on campus. The tunnel also received major upgrades, while the murals continue to tell an important part of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s history.

The commitment to the student experience, however, goes well beyond the physical campus and is woven into the very fabric of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and is supported by enhanced student services.

Last spring, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ announced a new on-site food-service provider. ARAMARK commenced its services in the spring and introduced a full-service Starbucks, which features cozy seating, a coffee-bar atmosphere and a stunning view of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall and the eastern coulees. In addition, a new Subway and Tim Hortons are now in UHall and the campus cafeteria underwent extensive renovations, has a new name and a new menu. The Urban Market brings flair and healthy choices to on-campus dining with resort-like options such as freshly squeezed orange juice, stone-baked pizzas and personal grilling.

The U of L also introduced the Student Success Centre earlier this year, which includes Study Skills Services, Tutoring Services and Mental Health Education. “Through programs, services and partnerships, the Centre empowers every student to achieve success and personal well-being,” says Trish Jackson (BASc ’03), manager of the Student Success Centre. “The Centre takes a holistic approach to encourage students to set goals, examine various aspects of their lifestyles, connect with appropriate supports, make positive changes and achieve their goals.”

Campus renovations, a new food-services provider and additional student support services all speak to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s commitment to the student experience, says Mahon. “As Alberta’s Destination ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, we will ensure that students remain central to what we do at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.”

The resulting efforts have secured the U of L placement as one of Canada’s leading universities. The U of L is recognized on the national stage as one of Canada’s top-three undergraduate institutions (2014 Maclean’s ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Rankings) and one of Canada’s top-three undergraduate research universities (RE$EARCH Infosource, 2013).

And for students like Sarah MacDonald, a first-year student from Strathmore, Alta., the benefits are evident. “I wanted to go to school where I’d be comfortable,” she says. “A lot of my high school teachers who I really liked graduated from the U of L and recommended it, so I applied. Although I’ve only been here a few months, I’m having a great experience. My professors are very excited about what they are teaching – and they are genuinely interested in me – and the scholarships I’ve received have helped alleviate a lot of my financial worries. I look forward to every day because there is always something amazing happening.”

U of L maintains top-three Maclean's ranking

trevor.kenney — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 22:21:32 +0000

A year after achieving its highest-ever position in the annual Maclean’s ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Rankings, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge maintained its top-three position in the 2014 Primarily Undergraduate category rankings list, further confirming its national strength.

The U of L either bettered or maintained its standing from the previous year in 10 of the 13 indicators Maclean’s uses to construct its rankings, marking notable gains in the percentage of budget it spends on student services and library acquisitions.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ also held its second overall ranking in medical/science grants received by faculty, resulting in a third overall ranking of 19 schools in the Primarily Undergraduate classification.

“We’re very pleased that the ranking indicators reflect many of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s fundamental priorities, notably our philosophy of creating a supportive atmosphere for our students in a setting that fosters academic excellence and engaging research opportunities,” says ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Mike Mahon.

“All of this would not be possible without the contributions of our faculty and staff who have embraced the U of L’s vision and made the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ a destination of choice for our students.”

The U of L is now ranked third in the percentage of its operating budget devoted to student services, rising three spots from last year’s rankings, while maintaining its strength as a leading undergraduate research institution.

“We continue to emerge as a comprehensive research university on the strength of our outstanding faculty, all the while maintaining our philosophy of being student-centred and always striving to enhance the student experience,” adds Mahon.

The U of L also showed steady increases in some of Maclean’s underlying indicators, including the percentages of students coming to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ from outside of the province and country.

“The addition of a new student residence this fall, as well as a complete makeover of our food services operations are indicative of the emphasis we place on being Alberta’s Destination ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ,” says Mahon. “The majority of our students, greater than 70 per cent, come to our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ from outside the southern Alberta area, and we are now seeing that more and more are coming from outside the province of Alberta and beyond.”

A detailed look at the 2014 Maclean’s ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Rankings is available here.

Open Mike - April 2013, Discussing the provincial budget and letter of expectation

trevor.kenney — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 21:47:49 +0000

Having had the opportunity to speak with many of you in our campus community over the last few weeks, I understand the concern you have in respect to the Alberta Provincial Budget, the Letter of Expectation from the Ministry of Enterprise and Advanced Education (EAE) and how it will affect the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's budget. We in senior administration share your concern and fully realize that this is a challenge for our institution, and something we will have to work together to move through.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community will guide the discussion around budget reductions.

From the outset we decided that it was very important to develop a process to guide us through the budget reduction consideration in a thoughtful and transparent manner, in keeping with the fundamental values of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

One of the key ideals of the
U of L has always been to engage our community, especially when we are facing difficult times. This situation is no different than previous challenges that have been met and overcome with the views of the collective community guiding the way.

This is just the starting point for us, and we will continue to be active in seeking out conversations with our various communities as we go through the process of identifying how best to approach budget reductions within the context of the values of our institution.

Ultimately, the values that shape our deliberations will be based on the contexts of our existing plans, including the Strategic Plan, Academic Plan and Research Plan. In moving forward, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will not alter the strategic directions that have brought so much success to the institution and positioned us as one of Canada's emerging comprehensive universities and Alberta's Destination ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

It will be a difficult budget process but it will also be a thoughtful, strategic process that will be in keeping with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's established vision.

There has been much talk in the media about the budget numbers and how they may or may not affect certain institutions in the province. We have been very careful not to speculate on what our budget reduction process may yield because speculation can be a very damaging thing when you do not fully understand the entire context of the process. We are not in a position to speculate at this point because we have yet to go through the process that will put us in the best place to make the necessary budget reduction decisions.

I hope the community appreciates why we have taken the time to move through this in a systematic manner.

By now, many of you have read the Letter of Expectation as administered by EAE. We have encouraged your input to help us craft a response to that letter, and I look forward to taking your thoughts with me on April 11 when I meet with all of the presidents of Alberta's post-secondary institutions, the minister and deputy minister of Advanced Education.

A consistent theme throughout the Letter of Expectation is the continued support of the Campus Alberta model and its ideals. As a longstanding partner in Campus Alberta and in many ways a driving force of the Campus Alberta initiative, I have the utmost confidence that we will be able to effectively communicate to the province the priorities of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

We have a challenge in front of us, but it is one we will approach with great resolve and with the knowledge that the decisions to be made will be done in a thorough, open and thoughtful manner.

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

Past shaping the future

trevor.kenney — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 19:14:47 +0000

The coulees offered extraordinary opportunities: dramatic heights and depths unusual in the Prairies, and the possibility of outlook, proximity to the river and a microclimate milder than the windswept flatlands.

Standing there on the far edge of the coulee I saw etched against the sky the light tracery of an old iron railway bridge, 300 feet in the air, spanning a mile across the river.

I came to the conclusion that though any building upon the exposed flatland should be interred in earth berms so that they would become part of the land, the academic building could span the coulees and, like the old bridge in its rigid flatness, reveal the rich contours of even the most level prairie.

It seemed to me that the top storey of the university should lie below the tableland in an uncompromising straight line spanning the haunches of
the prairie.
...
Dr. Arthur Erickson (LLD '81)

The Architecture of Arthur Erickson
With text by the architect

When renowned Canadian architect, the late Dr. Arthur Erickson (LLD '81), first came to Lethbridge to design ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall and formulate the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Development Plan, he was in awe of the coulee landscape, inspired by the High Level Bridge and concluded the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ should be part of the land.

"Architecture, as I see it, is the art of composing spaces in response to existing environmental and urbanistic conditions to answer a client's needs," Erickson once said. "In this way the building becomes the resolution between its inner being and the outer conditions imposed upon it. It is never solitary but is part of its setting and thus must blend in a timeless way with its surroundings, yet show its own fresh presence."

The construction of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall began with a simple sod turning ceremony.

The vision as outlined in the 1969 Erickson-Massey Development Plan saw academic space integrated with residences "so that learning becomes part of living." The 1969 planning objectives also included attractive pedestrian walkways that linked to green spaces; closely knit, clear organization of campus buildings that took advantage of unique views of the river valley; and building sites chosen to ensure reverence, preservation and protection of the coulee landscape.

Construction of the original ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall was a monumental task.

Over the years, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ campus has expanded and evolved with recommendations initially set out in the Campus Development Plan Review (1993), the Master Plan Report (2000) and the Core Campus Expansion Plan (2001) – the latter of which is the springboard for the new ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Campus Master Plan (UCMP), which was ratified by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors in December 2012.

Spencer Court, architect and associate director of Campus Planning and Architecture at the U of L, has been leading the current UCMP renewal. He says the new plan takes previous planning history into consideration and maintains key planning initiatives while advancing the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's current strategic goals.

"Key elements from past plans have been retained, but the earliest plan had the most fundamentally correct principles or truths that continue to provide value and timeless importance today," he says.

Those principles of strengthening the existing site and building features, creating a compact campus, integrating campus with nature, and using an appropriate brand of architecture to produce a unique campus identity and experience are instilled in the 2012 plan.

Prepared in a collaborative effort with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ by Moriyama & Teshima Architects and Planners, Gibbs Gage Architects and Educational Consulting Services, the UCMP sets out a series of recommendations aimed at guiding larger-scale planning decisions for the main campus of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ over the next 25 years.

According to the UCMP, these guidelines "accentuate the existing campus design – organizing systems to allow the unique beauty, original order, coherence and distinctive setting of the campus to re-emerge." The UCMP suggests "a highly interconnected system of buildings and pedestrian networks to create an intimate and harmonized learning environment, integrating both academic and residential programs."

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall as we see it today, nestled in the coulees and taking advantage of the natural landscape.

What makes the UCMP unique is the way it frames and defines the academic core with a celebrated gateway accessing the heart of campus, while promoting pedestrian-friendliness and retaining the physical geography that informs future buildings and outdoor spaces.

"Campuses are like people in that they mature and become complete over time," says Court. "As key participants at a critical point in the development of our campus, we are privileged to produce a planning vision at a time when many are likely to witness the campus evolve into a more complete place."

The UCMP points to three key directives that align with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's 2009-2013 Strategic Plan and 2011-2015 Capital Plan. The first is to physically support the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's mandate to be a comprehensive and academic research institution and to provide opportunities for a community of learners – students, faculty, researchers and staff – to interact in purposeful spaces. Second is to reinforce the quality of built and natural environments at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ with an emphasis on improving campus life and the everyday student experience. Third, the plan will provide guidance in planning and management of assets while being stewards of the land.

These directives will aid in creating the physical "Destination U" that is currently being defined at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. U of L President Dr. Mike Mahon agrees.

He says this UCMP is vital for establishing this legacy.

"As individuals who have various roles on campus, we are at one point in time, but universities live for a long, long time. It's critical that we look to the future from a planning perspective, and plan for years ahead that we can't even imagine. It is vitally important that our buildings and grounds deliver on the notion of the Destination ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ," says Mahon. "The U of L is very fortunate to have had the kind of vision that Erickson had around building into the coulees and really connecting the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ with the topography and with nature."

The UCMP aims to create a unique identity to differentiate the U of L from other universities and to offer a distinctive and memorable experience for its students. To do that, the plan outlines specific design work including a refocused ceremonial entrance along Aperture Drive, and framing a new "Coulee Quadrangle" north of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Library, bordered by ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall and future buildings to form a campus heart. The UCMP also establishes a network of interconnected buildings that engage the coulees using a unique brand of landform architecture that fully integrates with the landscape. In addition, the construction of the "Prairie Quadrangle" adjacent to Markin Hall will serve to improve connectivity from the academic core to Exploration Place.

The updated Campus Master Plan will further the vision first established in 1969.

One of the biggest values of the new UCMP is creating a compact campus that fosters a better sense of community. Although the UCMP organizes the physical campus, it is the arrangement of those spaces and places that not only leads to a sense of community but also supports academic programming and student life.

Establishing Aperture Drive as the ceremonial entrance to the U of L is just the beginning. The gateway will be framed with a building element linking the Library to the Students' Union Building, as well as a signature building travelling southward that responds to the coulee setting and the Oldman River vista. This building will act as a bridge directly linking the residence precinct to the rest of campus.

Retaining the land in its natural state is also part of the UCMP proposal, and so, the natural coulee space south of the library will be left in its pristine state to preserve the natural view. It's the shared experience of the beautiful scenery of the unique prairie and coulee landscape that brings the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community together and that's an important consistency of the UCMP, says Court.

"We are located in a world-class, unique setting that our forebears committed to being, literally, in this place. That is the driving force in how we go forward," he says. "It is the threshold experience between plateau and river valley we want to be, and since we are here, we should capitalize on that because in the physical sense it's one of our most significant differentiators."

While the prairie land surrounding the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is vast, a key UCMP goal is to create a campus with synergy, ease of access and more importantly, logical pedestrian circulation.

"There's a point where everyone who arrives here by transit, bicycle or automobile becomes a pedestrian, and in the master plan the campus nucleus is predominantly pedestrian-based," says Court. "The master plan has tried to focus on creating a compact, pedestrian-oriented, connected campus that responds to external factors such as weather or the opportunity for memorable views and seriously considers how people move through it."

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Campus Master Plan is just that – a plan. At this point, campus planners have not initiated detailed design studies, but most of the features will likely be developed over time. The recommendations in the UCMP, however, are critical for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to reach its strategic goals, says Chris Eagan, director of Facilities.

"The UCMP follows the institution's strategic planning. It allows the creation of a common vision of what space, building and landscape places look like to fulfill our strategic goals," he says. "The UCMP is a broad vision that will be accomplished incrementally through individual capital projects. These projects have urgent and important needs that must be subservient to the institutional requirements outlined in the master plan. It will give the structure and guidance of university planners to all those who design and implement the plan for years to come."

After the UCMP is formally ratified in December 2012, a public open house celebrating the new plan and its document release will be held early in the new year.

According to Court, the new UCMP offers many advantages as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ looks to the future.

"Overall, it's addressing original concepts that the institution has already put substantial resources and value into," he says. "Those early ideas are treasured fidelities – concepts we shouldn't turn our backs on. If we've learned anything, we've learned that they are important and they still apply going forward."

...

For more information on the UCMP, please visit: www.ulethbridge.ca/masterplan

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

Alberta's Destination ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ

trevor.kenney — Wed, 23 May 2012 22:01:13 +0000

UNews - Destination ��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ

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Apply by June 1st to be eligible for scholarships up to $2,000. Click on this link.

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