Government anouncements set stage

trevor.kenney — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:17:58 +0000

By RICHARD WESTLUND

This week will be very telling for Alberta's post-secondary sector as Alberta's Speech from the Throne is read (Feb. 7) and the Government of Alberta's budget is released (Feb. 9).

Alberta Finance Minister Ron Liepert has hinted that the budget will not include any large expenditures or adversely any deep cuts, and that the health and education sectors remain priority areas for the government.

The U of L has spent a great deal of time over the past year advocating for stable and predictable funding that reflects the institution's mandate. Any budget documents from this week's release will be available on the Government Relations blog (blogs.ulethbridge.ca/government-relations).

Cabinet tour hits U of L

In late January, Alberta cabinet ministers took part in an outreach tour of the province. Minister of Culture and Community Services, Heather Klimchuk, along with Advanced Education and Technology Minister, Greg Weadick, spent some time on campus looking at various facilities. Considering the cultural component to Klimchuk's responsibilities, she was shown the Digital Audio Arts facility as well as some of the Art Gallery's storage areas. Klimchuk had the opportunity to see some amazing pieces from the U of L Art Collection while on a tour last year as well. She understands the uniqueness of the Art Gallery's program as a valuable teaching resource for our students, as well as a cultural resource for the broader public.

Ministerial Decks

In an effort to make both elected and non-elected government members more aware of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's teaching and research strengths, the Government Relations Office is creating general briefings, or Ministerial Decks.

These general briefings are sent directly to managers, directors, assistant deputy ministers, deputy ministers, elected members and their staff, as well as made available on the U of L's Government Relations website (www.uleth.ca/president/government-relations).

In recent months, briefings related to the U of L's relevance in the agriculture industry and issues related to water and the environment have been created and released. The third installment, focusing on health and wellness, will be available shortly.

One of the challenges of this project is including only a few of the many compelling stories the U of L has to offer in these areas. The goal of these publications is to ensure the U of L is viewed as an institution that has a significant role to play in issues that resonate with the government and citizens of Alberta.

Richard Westlund is the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's director of government relations.

This story first appeared in the February 2012 edition of The Legend. To view the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

$2.3 Million in Planning Funds for New Science Building at ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge

trevor.kenney — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 21:45:26 +0000

Advanced Education and Technology Minister Greg Weadick surprises a U of L audience with $2.3 million in planning funds for a new science building at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge

Coming on the heels of a $5.6 million announcement for facility upgrades, Advanced Education and Technology Minister Greg Weadick's surprise announcement on Sept. 16 that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will receive $2.3 million to start the development process for a long-awaited science complex was, according to Dr. Mike Mahon, the U of L's President, a great way to start the weekend.

"A new science building has been something that has been needed for many, many years," Mahon said. "Science is a foundational program within our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, and to have $2.3 million to begin the process of looking at what this building can do for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community is truly exciting."

The proposed building has been on the U of L's facility development list for several years, and would allow for a significant expansion to laboratories and classroom spaces, as well as the ability to use the vacated spaces in ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall for other purposes.

The existing facilities date from 1971 and even with upgrades to meet current safety standards, cannot be expanded or significantly altered.

Mahon said the new building would also open up a host of opportunities across the campus.

"This announcement is not just about how the sciences on campus will benefit. It is about how we can use this opportunity to envision the future of the U of L from an academic perspective. For example, we are looking forward to examining how the social sciences and humanities programs can benefit from the re-development of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall to suit their purposes, among other benefits."

The proposed building would be located on the upper level of campus, near Markin Hall and on the site of the former track and field space.

The $2.3 million allows for site selection refinement, space planning (labs and classrooms in the new building as well as preliminary planning to re-develop space in ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall) and other related functions, such as an increase in utility capacity, to move the building process forward.

At this time there is no date set to begin construction.

UNews - Technology Minister

Government anouncements set stage

Related Topics

$2.3 Million in Planning Funds for New Science Building at ��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge

Related Topics

$2.3 Million in Planning Funds for New Science Building at ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge