Monday, February 11, 2013
Proposed Library Learning Commons Development -- UPDATE
To learn more about the process by which a proposed Learning Commons will be considered, please click here.
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Comments Welcome for Strategic Planning Consultation Report
A draft report of the strategic planning internal consultation is available at this website. Please proivide any comments by Feb. 24.
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Food Bank Fundraiser
The ULSU will be hosting a Food Bank Fundraiser to raise money for the campus food bank.
The event is also intended to shed some light on the issue of starving students.
For the month of February, bright pink piggy banks can be spotted in departments all over campus, and everyone's generosity would be appreciated -- your small change can make a big difference! Learn more here
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New Research Program Explores Gender Differences in Workplace Radiation Exposure
University of Lethbridge researcher Dr. Olga Kovalchuk is the recipient of a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Chair dedicated to examining the effects occupational radiation exposure has on men and women working in nuclear industries.
The Chair, which falls under CIHR’s Gender, Work and Health program, will examine whether men and women are affected differently in nuclear work environments, which includes the nuclear power industry, healthcare and research departments. Read more here.
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Kinesiology, Music Researchers Biomechanically Improve Artistic Performance Quality
University of Lethbridge researchers Dr. Gongbing Shan (Kinesiology) and Dr. Peter Visentin (Music) were recently profiled in a story distributed internationally by the Inside Science News Service.
Shan, an ergonomics expert, and Visentin, a professional violinist, have collaborated for years on work which examines the biomechanics of dancers, musicians and conductors.
Using an array of infrared motion capture cameras, force plates and 3D imaging software, they study how changes to a performer's posture and other adjustments can help reduce such issues as repetitive stress injuries and muscle fatigue. Read more here
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Share your Research Expertise
Public Affairs is embarking on the process to compile the expertise of our faculty members (and other experts) so that we can populate a new experts database when it is built.
It is critical that our new experts database is up-to-date, easy to use, and searchable. Having a tool that media can use to directly find experts puts U of L researchers in a position to be sought for comment. Likewise, the tool is extremely valuable for public affairs staff who are actively pitching experts in the context of current events.
A searchable experts database is critical for other university functions as well. This includes enabling external researchers to find potential collaborators and helping potential graduate students find supervisors.
U of L’s Information Technology department is in the process of building this Experts Database. As mentioned above, the Public Affairs office has started to compile the information needed to populate it. The form, which is easy to fill out, allows faculty members flexibility in describing their unique expertise and can be found here.
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International Relationships Strengthened with Mexico, Ukraine Universities
University of Lethbridge explores partnerships with indigenous universities in Mexico
University of Lethbridge President Dr. Mike Mahon will travel to Mexico this week to further dialogue with indigenous universities and to explore opportunities for partnership with CONACYT (Mexico’s National Council for Science and Technology).
“Working with indigenous universities in Mexico will help the University better serve its aboriginal student body,” says Mahon.
“Strategic research opportunities, student/faculty exchanges, the sharing of best practices and planning successful strategies to better serve aboriginal communities are just some of the outcomes that are possible by working in tandem with our Mexican counterparts.” Read more here.
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University of Lethbridge to strengthen research, education partnerships in Ukraine
University of Lethbridge Vice-President (Research) Dan Weeks is participating in a mission that includes Canadian University Presidents, Vice-Presidents and Deans that will formalize linkages between Canada and Ukraine, and their post-secondary sectors.
The mission includes universities in all regions of Canada and aims to increase higher education co-operation, increase student recruitment and two-way student exchanges, position higher education collaboration for possible funding and sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ukrainian Rectors and the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE). Read more here.
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Play Day Coming February 18 -- Ever Walked a Tightrope? Made a Cardboard Fort?
Last year, more than 2,500 people experienced the flat-out fun of unstructured play at Play Day 2012, an event that celebrates the importance of play for all ages.
This year, Play Day takes place on February 18 in the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year's circus-themed event invites families to clown around.
Admission is free. Parking is free.
NEW -- The initial list of events and activities taking place can be found here.
Volunteers are needed throughout the day for a variety of tasks including face painting, craft stations and fort building. Please contact Kali McKay at kali.mcKay@uleth.ca for more information or to volunteer.
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University of Lethbridge thanks donors for nearly $10 million in support
The University of Lethbridge achieved recognition from a number of national ranking agencies in 2012, thanks in no small part to the support of more than 2,000 donors who contributed nearly $10 million in support of the institution.
More than 950 new donors contributed to the U of L in the past year, while faculty and staff at the U of L contributed close to $200,000 to student scholarships and programs.
“The strides we have made as an institution would not have been possible without the support of individuals and organizations who share our commitment to students and research,” says University of Lethbridge President Dr. Mike Mahon. “I want to thank our donors for sharing our vision and being such a key part of enabling that vision.” Read more here.
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Retirement Planning Lunch & Learn, February 12: The Emotional Effects of Retirement
Responses from the Wellness Survey indicated that employees were interested in attending Retirement Planning information sessions, preferably during lunch breaks.
In an effort to accommodate this interest, the Pension and Benefits department has arranged for our Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) provider, Human Solutions, to present a retirement planning session on Feb. 12. The deadline to sign up is Feb. 8. Get the details here.
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Living Well at the U of L
February "Comfort Zone" Wellness Newsletter now available
Upcoming Wellness sessions:
Ongoing -- Mini Massages! Book soon!
For additional information, please visit the Wellness Website.
February 12 -- Markin Hall M3003 – 12 noon to 1p.m.: Sleep Myths and What you Can Do About Them – Lunch and learn – Dawn Filewych from the Lethbridge Sleep Clinic will be presenting.
February 12 -- 9 a.m. to 12 noon, PE Building 2nd Level - The Tomorrow Project team will be on campus once again to promote registration in the largest health research study ever undertaken in our province.
Its goal is to find out more about the causes of cancer and other health conditions. Knowing more about what causes diseases will help researchers develop better strategies to improve our health in the future.
Let’s beat the Lethbridge College with more participants!
If you sign up in February you could win a t-shirt!! Contact wellness@uleth.ca for your registration package. (This research project was approved by the Alberta Cancer research Ethics Committee at Alberta Health Services in June 2010, and reviewed by the U of L Ethics Committee Jan 2013)
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Health Check for U – vascular screening program: Screening sessions will be starting again Feb 2013. Get a jumpstart on your health for the new year by registering for the screening for next semester.
Health Check for U is a program designed to inform you about your overall and cardiovascular health. We will work with you to set goals about your general health and provide you with the necessary resources to meet those goals.
The screening is confidential and is FREE to U of L employees. Contact wellness@uleth.ca to register or for more information.
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News Roundup
Financial Post -- Canada’s clubby rules survive Ackman (Political Science; Geoffrey Hale)
Lethbridge Herald -- New college president hits ground running (Mike Mahon)
PRNews / F1000Research -- Defying the Laws of Mendelian Inheritance (Igor Kovalchuk)
SHAW-TV -- News and community Events Featured on "GO! Southern Alberta"
Lethbridge Herald -- U of L Grad Cutforth Helms New Property Rights Office
Country 95.5 Radio News -- Michael "Pinball" Clemons Addresses Students At U of L
Lethbridge Herald -- Competitive climate awaits graduating teachers
If you know anyone who has been featured or mentioned in the media, and has a U of L connection, please send a note to robert.cooney@uleth.ca
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President's Award for Service Excellence Nominations Now Open
The President's Award for Service Excellence is awarded annually to an administrative staff member or team in recognition of their provision of exceptional service to the University of Lethbridge and members of the University community.
Award recipients will be honored at the annual Long Service Awards and Retirement Recognition Ceremony on May 1, 2013. Deadline for nominations for this award is: Mar. 22, 2013. Learn more here.
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Flooring facelifts across campus
The Caretaking department has been busy refurbishing floors across the University of Lethbridge.
After the success of the renewed aggregate concrete flooring in the Physical Education Building last summer, Caretaking took its floor polishing skills to the University Centre for the Arts Atrium, which is being stripped, ground and polished during evenings and weekends to ensure the least amount of interruption possible. Read more here.
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Study Tour to Hokkai Gakuen -- Information For Potential Participants
If you know a student who would benefit from a trip to Japan
to take part in the U of L's longest running exchange program -- with Hokkai-Gakuen University in Sapporro, Japan, please have them check out this website
for more information. The application deadline has been extended to Feb. 15, 2013. Learn more here
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ULSU/EUS Clothing Drive and Sale!
Have too many clothes stuffed into your closet?
The ULSU and Education Undergraduates' Society are once again hosting their annual Clothing Drive and Sale
on Feb 27 and 28, but they need clothes to sell. Look for the bright pink bins on campus and donate your used clothing to a good cause. Learn more here.
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Call for LPIRG Board Members
LPIRG is a student-funded, student-directed, not-for-profit organization providing resources for undergraduate and graduate students to get involved with social justice and environmental issues. The group is looking for new board members. If you know a student who would be interested in getting involved with this group, please have them visit this website.
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Spring Is Almost Here! Garden Fundraiser Supports Campus Roots Community Garden Association
The Campus Roots Community Garden Association is proud to be working with Vesey’s Bulbs to bring you a selection of quality summer flower bulbs, roots, and seeds at great prices. Fifty per cent of the total sales will help Campus Roots improve the campus community garden. Read more here.
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University of Lethbridge Senate seeking internal and external community volunteers
There is currently one opening for a member of the non-academic staff and nine openings for public representatives from southern Alberta to become a part of the U of L Senate, a community-focused group of volunteers. To learn more, please visit this website.
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Canada Summer Jobs 2013
If you are interested in leaning more about how to qualify for the Canada Summer Jobs progam, please visit this website. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 28.
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Attention Graduating Alberta Student Loan Borrowers: $2,000 Completion Incentive Grant available NOW
If you know a student who is graduating this semester and who is either currently receiving, or has ever received, an Alberta Student Loan, please direct them to this website so they can learn more about the Alberta Completion Incentive Grant. It's worth
$2,000. Deadline is April 1.
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Next Uweekly -- Tuesday, February 19
If you have a notice or information to submit for the week of February 19 and beyond, please contact robert.cooney@uleth.ca
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