UNews - Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada

Open Mike - May 2015, Change is afoot

trevor.kenney — Mon, 11 May 2015 21:24:56 +0000

The end of the spring semester is already upon us and as we prepare to celebrate our graduates at what promises to be another fantastic Convocation, I’d like to thank everyone for their tremendous efforts throughout the past year.

Over the course of the last few weeks, there have been some significant changes both here at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and as well in the provincial political landscape.

Here, we’ve introduced a new Vice-President (Research) in Dr. Erasmus Okine, who comes to us very highly regarded from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta. I look forward to working with Dr. Okine in the future and am confident he will quickly feel comfortable as a part of the U of L family.

I am extremely grateful to Dr. Lesley Brown, who took on the role of Interim Vice-President (Research) this past year and led some very important initiatives. In particular, Lesley spurred the development of AGILITY and played a major role in the success of its recent launch. Her passion for entrepreneurship and innovation will see her play a lead role in the continued development of AGILITY as we move forward.

I also want to thank those on campus who did such a fine job in responding to the water line break we recently experienced. Their swift action and professionalism undoubtedly limited the damage to the affected areas.

Provincially, a massive shift in the political landscape has taken place and while it is too soon to tell how this will affect the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in particular and post-secondary education in general, we look forward to working with the new government and our new minister.

We believe that a post-secondary education continues to be a vital part of the future of Alberta in terms of economic development and diversification, strengthening our communities and improving the quality of life of all Albertans and we will continue to carry that message to the Alberta government.

We will also continue to work on the development of the Destination Project. It remains the most important capital project for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and now that the election is over, we will be circling back to continue to have conversations with the new government about how we can move this project forward.

There is also change at the national level, where recently, the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) repositioned itself as Universities Canada. More than a cosmetic name change, this move was done to clarify our mandate and as one element of a broader advocacy strategy on a national level to try and position universities as positively as possible, in particular, on the eve of a federal election.

You will see more change at this spring’s Convocation ceremonies as we welcome a new chancellor into the fold, Janice Varzari. I urge everyone to come out for her installation and to attend any of the events associated with Convocation. Convocation is, without a doubt, the highlight of any academic year and always leaves me feeling a great sense of pride in our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. I look forward to seeing you there.

French language scholarship enables opportunity

trevor.kenney — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:02:21 +0000

Maggie Kogut, a third-year modern languages and English major, has received a highly competitive national scholarship to attend a French language university of her choice in Canada for a year of study.

Kogut, originally from Sylvan Lake, Alta., transferred to the U of L from Red Deer College. She will receive $7,000 and travel expenses as the recipient of a Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Endowment Fund for Study in a Second Official Language award, administered by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC).

"The competition for this award is fierce as there are only a maximum of three awarded every year," says Dr. Tabitha Spagnolo Sadr, an assistant professor of French and one of Kogut's nominators. "Each university in Canada can put forth only their best candidate.

"The idea is that anglophone undergraduate students either in their second or third year can apply for funding to study for a year at a francophone institution. In turn, francophone students compete for the same award to study at an anglophone institution. We are extremely proud of Maggie for this exceptional achievement."

Third-year student, Maggie Kogut, will study at the Université du Québec à Montréal for a year after winning a prestigious national scholarship

Kogut is taking majors in both English and French, and is already refining her bilingual writing skills as the Entertainment editor and as a French-language columnist for the Meliorist.

Though the year away adds to the time Kogut ultimately spends in school, she does not mind at all.

"I am interested in taking a program at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) which focuses on French writing for non-francophones," says Kogut. "I'm considering a career in journalism, and being able to write effectively in both languages would be a helpful skill."

Spagnolo Sadr says she and her colleagues in the Department of Modern Languages spend a great deal of time and effort creating a cultural environment and range of courses, particularly at the upper levels, that prepare students like Kogut to succeed in language and literature studies in the classroom and beyond.

"Department members are always pleased to engage with our students and support them in exploring a wide range of external opportunities including funding, travel and employment options."

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

Celebrating 100 years of the AUCC

trevor.kenney — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:37:08 +0000

By PAUL DAVIDSON
President, Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada

In the coming weeks, Canada's universities will be sharing their visions and priorities with readers through this column, in conjunction with the 100^th anniversary of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.

One hundred years ago, leaders from 15 of Canada's universities met face-to-face for the first time to discuss the day's pressing issues.

There were no Blackberries. No women either. Telephones were still new. ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ leaders traveled by train and ship to McGill, where the meeting was held. Canada was just turning 44 years-old. Later that year, Sir Robert Borden's Conservatives would win the "free trade" federal election, sweeping Sir Wilfred Laurier's government out of office after 15 years.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ leaders were brought together by Sir William Peterson, principal of McGill ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, and Sir Robert Falconer, president of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Toronto to discuss admission requirements, student mobility and graduate education. This is how universities first came together to work for the benefit of Canadians. So pressing were these issues, they decided to meet again, regularly, but in a reflection of the different pace at the time, the next meeting would be four years later."

While times have changed, university leaders still meet regularly to address these kinds of issues. Today's Canada may be very different from 100 years ago but universities continue to help address challenges, improve our quality of life, and position our country as a leader in the years ahead.

As AUCC marks its centennial in 2011, it is an opportunity to commemorate the pivotal role universities have played and continue to play in making Canada what it is and what it can be. At this year's meeting in October, today's university leaders will focus on the future needs of Canadians.

AUCC will also host a unique panel discussion entitled, Smart healthcare: The role of Canada's universities in addressing our healthcare challenges. This panel will draw on expertise from across the country to discuss how Canada's universities can respond directly to the upcoming health care needs of an aging population.

Another centennial initiative is an online dialogue on the future of university education in Canada which began last month. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Commons blog (www.aucc.ca) offers diverse perspectives on what university education should look like in the years ahead and how it can meet the needs of a nation.

Canada's universities are also focused on enhancing the undergraduate experience in Canada. AUCC led a national workshop on undergraduate education in Halifax last March, attended by many presidents and other university leaders, as well as students. This workshop reflected a growing consensus that university leaders must do more to strengthen the undergraduate experience. One of the results was the development of a new online tool to help strengthen undergraduate education, which will be officially launched later this month.

AUCC's fun, social media-based centennial project involves a small, carved, wooden polar bear named Ursula. She has been on a whirlwind tour of campuses across Canada since May. Throughout the year, Ursula is capturing a slice of life of Canadian universities on Facebook, Twitter and her own blog, www.ursulaontour.ca.

Rounding off AUCC's centennial year, Canadian universities will open their doors to visitors Nov. 4-13. Open Doors, Open Knowledge, is a series of open house events on campuses across the country to showcase the new and improved research and learning facilities made possible through investments of the federal and provincial governments and other parties.

From 1911 to 2011, the story of Canada is reflected in the story of universities. As we mark 100 years of achievement, Canada's universities invite all Canadians to be a part of the celebration. Learn more at www.aucc.ca.

U of L leads way in establishing ACCRU

trevor.kenney — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:44:35 +0000

This story by Léo Charbonneau appeared in the Sept. 12 edition of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Affairs. It is re-posted here with their permission.

There is a new university group in Canada: the Alliance of Canadian Comprehensive Research Universities.

Created at a meeting in Ottawa in June, ACCRU brings together the vice-presidents, research, of the smaller comprehensive universities in Canada that have "a strong commitment to research," said Dan Weeks, vice-president, research, at ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

The creation of the alliance is in part a reaction to the group known as the U15, which advocates on behalf of what it calls "Canada's 15 leading research universities."

A graphical representation of ACCRU.

That group, previously called the G10 and then the G13 before it expanded to its current 15 members, has given those institutions "a strong unified voice for consultation and lobbying activities on their behalf," said Dr. Weeks.

However, ACCRU is not meant to be a lobbying group, he stressed. Rather, the aim of the new alliance is to discuss the challenges and issues that these smaller universities face, and to pool resources and best practices with like-minded colleagues.

"If we do have advice and things that have policy implications, the route would be through either AUCC [Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada] or our individual presidents," he said.

Dr. Weeks set the ball rolling for the new group with a letter he sent to colleagues this past January.

The letter reads in part: "There are a number of unique challenges associated with conducting world-class research at Canada's small institutions. Effectively meeting these challenges and ensuring that research investments made in our institutions are of maximal benefit to all Canadians prompts me to suggest that Canada's 'small' research universities might benefit by informal discussion of the merits of forming a group or forum. This would give us the opportunity to discuss and react collectively to issues we face now or that will arise."

The response was "absolutely fantastic," said Dr. Weeks. "Everybody was excited about getting together." The respondents agreed on a date and venue for the event, and of the 25 universities initially contacted, 19 sent representatives to the Ottawa gathering – in most cases, either the vice-president or associate VP research.

While stressing that membership in ACCRU is "meant to be inclusive," Dr. Weeks acknowledged he had to come up with "some sort of algorithm" to choose who to invite.

He and William Bridger, a former vice-president at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Western Ontario, devised a plan. First, they said the university had to describe itself as a comprehensive university.

Second, they did a rough calculation of the percentage of tri-council funding that each university receives, and "there was a pretty obvious breakpoint, and so we invited everybody below that line," said Dr. Weeks.

But he added, "I really wouldn't put too much stock in this 'who's in, who's out' type of thing. It's really more about the scope of your operations and would you benefit from being at these discussions."

The attendees to the Ottawa meeting "talked a lot about faculty recruitment and, related to that, the general perception of small universities by the public and by other institutions," said Dr. Weeks.

They also discussed research ethics, infrastructure, animal care, research centres and institutes, contracts, "and all the things that we have to fulfill in terms of policies and regulations" but often with far fewer resources than the larger universities, "so we have to be more clever about how we get some of these accomplished."

Katherine Schultz, vice-president research at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Prince Edward Island, attended the meeting and said the conversations "were frank and open." She noted that, unlike vice-presidents, academic, there is no national meeting for VPs research, so this group "fills a gap that many of us perceived. … It's a forum for information exchange that didn't exist."

André Manseau, dean of research at Université du Quebec en Outaouais, said it was "very enriching" for him to have his colleagues share their experiences. "We face many similar issues," he said. "Our offices are of relatively modest size and we don't have a lot of specialized personnel."

The ACCRU members agreed to meet again in Ottawa in early December, before the annual Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council's leaders meeting (of senior university administrators who serve as points of contact with the council).

The alliance also created three working groups that will report at the December meeting: one looking at best practices, one on governance of the group itself, and a third tasked to craft a mission statement.

Universities represented at the ACCRU meeting in June:

* Acadia ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ
* Bishop's ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ
* Brandon ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ
* Brock ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ
* Cape Breton ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ
* Lakehead ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ
* Nipissing ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ
* St. Francis Xavier ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ
* Saint Mary's ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ
* Thompson Rivers ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ
* Trent ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ
* Université de Moncton
* Université du Québec en Outaouais
* ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge
* ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Northern British Columbia
* ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Prince Edward Island
* ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Regina
* ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Windsor
* Wilfrid Laurier ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ

Copyright changes create framework for transition

trevor.kenney — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 20:23:41 +0000

When Access Copyright, the collective that administers creator and publisher rights, changed the model by which it would charge users for the use of copyrighted materials, it set off shockwaves across the Canadian university landscape.

Where previously universities faced a licensed model that charged libraries a little more than $3 per student and set the price of course packs at 10 cents per page, Access Copyright introduced a combined tariff that grouped charges together into one $45 per student price. Needless to say, universities across the country cried foul.

In stepped the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), who took up negotiations for Canadian post-secondary institutions with Access Copyright. Before long, the two sides were at the foot of the Copyright Board of Canada. AUCC is working closely with Canadian universities and colleges, including the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, providing information and recommending strategies and next steps.

With no agreement signed with Access Copyright, U of L faculty will not be able to create course packs as usual. ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Librarian Alison Nussbaumer says it necessitated the creation of a project team to lead and manage the transition. They have since created a website loaded with information to assist faculty and instructors with the process, including suggestions on where to find course materials and a feedback forum where faculty can submit questions.

"What we've done is try to think of all the questions people might ask, and then provided those answers under the FAQ tabs in the website," says Nussbaumer. "The most important thing about the site is the feedback area. If people look through the website and can't find what they're searching for, please post a question and somebody on the project team will do their best to find the answer."

As of now, there is no end in sight to the legal proceedings and even if Access Copyright and the AUCC were to come to an agreement, Nussbaumer says it could all become moot by copyright legislation currently being debated in the House of Commons. That debate is trying to address the emergence of the digital age and how it affects copyright.

"There's a transition in the publishing world, it is increasingly graduating towards electronic content," says Nussbaumer. "Even though we're being forced right now, in terms of timing, to respond because of an external situation, internally I think there will eventually be a shift away from print course packs anyway, based on student preference and blended learning."

She says it's a natural move into the digital age.

"Students are going after content in different ways. I see a lot of things now that are being born digital, there is no print equivalent," she says.
Presently, Nussbaumer advises faculty that the simplest route for next term may be to put items on library reserve for use. By the middle of December, the library will introduce a new search interface that will, where available in the license, inform the user if there is permission for a full text article to be used in course packs and learning management systems such as the U of L's new Moodle system.

"If faculty members want to know if an article is approved for Moodle or a course pack, they can search for it by journal title and a box will pop up and tell them whether it is approved for use," says Nussbaumer.

"Working without a collective license is a work in progress. It's new to every institution across the country, and here at the U of L we're trying to make it as easy for faculty as possible. Quite frankly, those who are most impacted are faculty who use a lot of course packs."

She urges those with questions to visit the website (www.uleth.ca/access-copyright/), and if they can't find the information they are looking for, to please contact project team members through the feedback option. If there is a demand for workshops on specific areas of copyright legislation, that too could be a consideration. In the end, Nussbaumer says it might be time for the addition of a copyright officer on campus to help wade through this new territory.

"It really is a shift for everyone and we're working through this the best we can," she says. "We haven't planned any workshops as of yet but if there is a need for them or any additional information, let us know through the website and we could put a workshop together to address specific needs."

Major scholarships available

trevor.kenney — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 21:15:06 +0000

Interested in a scholarship that could cover your tuition and living costs for next year?

A pair of major scholarship awards are currently taking applications through the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Scholarships and Student Finance Office.

The ConocoPhillips Canada Centennial Scholarship provides up to $10,000 per year for university studies, while the Fessenden-Trott Scholarship offers up to $9,000 per year for university studies.

These awards are administered by The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC). More details can be found on the AUCC website: www.aucc.ca. Applications can be requested through the AUCC or can be provided via e-mail from the UofL Scholarships and Student Finance Office. Contact Sue Kovach (gergs0@uleth.ca) to request an application and further details.

As students must be nominated from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, all applications and documentation (contrary to the actual application directions) must be handed into the Scholarships and Student Finance Office SU065 by May 15, 2010. Late and incomplete applications will not be accepted.

The application is very detailed, requiring a one-page description of extracurricular activities and community/volunteer involvement, two reference letters and official transcripts.

Distinguished list of Honourary Degree recipients

trevor.kenney — Fri, 29 May 2009 17:24:40 +0000

Following are the 2009 Honourary Degree Recipients for Spring Convocation

Robert Best
Ottawa, Ont.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge alumnus Bob Best (BASc '73) recently retired from his position as Vice President of National Affairs for the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. In this role, he has been influential in shaping much of the advocacy on behalf of Canadian universities. His leadership and commitment to higher education have made him a highly respected and sought-after presenter and consultant on policy issues and government relations.

Ralph Himsl
Lethbridge, Alta.

The retired Superintendent of the Catholic School District, Ralph Himsl has been described as a "Renaissance man". His career in education was dedicated to serving others and challenging them to reach their full potential, whether they were students or other professional educators. Himsl initiated the 'Blueprints' process to reflect on the nature and spiritual needs of Catholic education.

Mobina Jaffer
Vancouver, BC

Mobina Jaffer began practicing law in British Columbia in 1978 and was appointed to the Canadian Senate in 2001 by Prime Minister Jean Chretien. Jaffer has extensive experience in refugee and immigration law, and has done much work in the areas of women's rights, peace, and security. Jaffer also has the distinction of being the first Indo-Canadian female lawyer in BC, the first African-born member of the Senate, and the first Muslim member of the Senate.

Samantha Nutt
Toronto, Ont.

Samantha Nutt is a Canadian physician with over a decade of experience working in war zones. In 1999, Nutt became the founder and executive director of War Child Canada. Her dedication to humanitarian work in war-ravaged nations has made positive change a reality in some of the most devastated and dangerous areas of the world. Nutt has an incredible ability to mobilize youth and has worked with students and teachers across Canada to foster awareness and activism.

Joan Stebbins
Lethbridge, Alta.

One of Canada's foremost curators of contemporary art, Joan Stebbins (BFA '79) has an outstanding record of scholarly achievement. More than 184 exhibition-related publications have come to fruition under her direction or mentorship as curator and director of the Southern Alberta Art Gallery in Lethbridge from the 1980s forward. Her dedication and expertise have established the SAAG as one of Canada's leading contemporary art institutions.

Ross Watson
Cochrane, Alta.

An outdoor enthusiast for over 20 years, Ross Watson was the first blind climber to summit Canada's highest mountain, Mount Logan, in the Yukon. Watson is a community leader and dynamic speaker who has made numerous radio and television appearances, drawing on his unique mountain climbing experiences and an uncompromising belief in the power of personal goals, dreams, and ambition.

Honourary Degree Recipients

trevor.kenney — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:49:03 +0000

Following are the 2009 Honourary Degree Recipients for Spring Convocation

Robert Best
Ottawa, Ont.

Ralph Himsl
Lethbridge, Alta.

Mobina Jaffer
Vancouver, BC

Samantha Nutt
Toronto, Ont.

Joan Stebbins
Lethbridge, Alta.

Ross Watson
Cochrane, Alta.

ConocoPhillips Scholarship deadline, Friday

trevor.kenney — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:04:29 +0000

The application deadline for the prestigious ConocoPhillips Canada Centennial scholarship is rapidly approaching.

Any students who are interested and deem themselves eligible, must fill out the application and submit it by Friday to be considered.

The scholarship program is designed to support young Canadian visionaries who have a drive to make a difference in the future. The program encourages individuals with academic excellence and demonstrated leadership and is valued up to $10,000 per year for university studies, tenable for a maximum of two consecutive years.

Interested students are encouraged to check out the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada web site (www.aucc.ca) for further information and eligibility criteria.

The application is very detailed, requiring a one-page description (maximum 250 words) of extracurricular activities and community involvement, as well as two reference letters.

The application is only available by request. To request an application, students must e-mail: awards@aucc.ca. Include the following information: first and last name, name of the scholarship and telephone number.

Once the application is completed, it must be submitted, along with the required documentation, to the U of L Scholarships and Student Finance Office in SU065 by Friday. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

ConocoPhillips scholarship available

trevor.kenney — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:02:26 +0000

The application period for the ConocoPhillips Centennial Scholarship is now open with students having until May 15 to apply for this valuable award.

The objective of this scholarship program is to support young Canadian visionaries who have a drive to make a difference in the future. The scholarship program encourages individuals with academic excellence and demonstrated leadership. The value is up to $10,000 per year for university studies, tenable for a maximum of two consecutive years.

Students are encouraged to check out the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada website (www.aucc.ca) for further information and eligibility criteria for the ConocoPhillips Centennial Scholarship. Prior to completing an application, students are advised to make certain they qualify for the scholarship.

The application is very detailed, requiring a one-page description (maximum 250 words) of extracurricular activities and community involvement, as well as two reference letters.

The application is only available by request. To request an application, email: awards@aucc.ca. Include the following information: first and last name, name of the scholarship and telephone number.

After completing the application, submit it, along with the required documentation, to the U of L Scholarships and Student Finance Office in SU065 by May 15, 2009. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Any questions about the application process can be made via e-mail at fin.aid@uleth.ca.

UNews - Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada

Open Mike - May 2015, Change is afoot

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