“Get rewarded for putting on a harness and making a fool of yourself!”

This is just one of the outrageous statements heard shouted out across the C block quadrant during a recent lunch hour. It has been great to have the campus buzzing with activity over the last few weeks. The UCSA has done a fantastic job at arranging a variety of food and activities to keep lunch hours entertaining.

Students also helped to create a fun-filled atmosphere over the weekend when UC opened its doors to the community in the first ever Community Open Day. About 4000 visitors arrived on campus to take part in a day packed full of excitement. This was an opportunity to showcase what goes on behind closed doors at UC and inform the rest of New Zealand that our university is still in full operational swing. A big SHOUT OUT to everyone that helped out on the day. Pictured to the right above are Mackenzie Blythe, 6 (left) and Hannah Ferris, 7 who got a huge kick out of dressing up like scientists and making fake blood.

Applications to enrol open today Tuesday 4 October.

A clash-reduced timetable cannot be produced by the timetabling system until a reasonable amount of students have completed their application to enrol. Continuing students are therefore encouraged to Apply to Enrol as soon as possible to help us fast track the creation of a student-driven timetable for 2012.

Please be advised that course timetable information will not be published online until mid-January 2012. This is so that we can schedule the timetable based on your preferred selection of courses and deliver a much more accurate, clash-reduced timetable than has been available in the past. In doing so, the University will be joining the elite ranks of other important universities around the world that have been generating timetables in this manner for many years.

Online Experience

Thanks to everyone that expressed an interest in taking part in our research about the UC online experience. You are helping to create a vision for the future of UC online and it’s great to have you onboard.

Participation in a workshop, interview or questionnaire relating to this initiative automatically places you into the draw to win an Apple iPad. A student questionnaire will be released over the next couple of weeks so keep a look out for more information soon.

Outward Bound Scholarships available

Due to the generosity of our funders, a limited number of scholarships for a Classic 21-day course on 5-26 November are available!

To be eligible,just tell us in 150 words or less how the Christchurch earthquake has impacted on you and how you have contributed to the community following the earthquake - then be ready to complete the standard medical and screening requirements. A minimum payment of $500 is required, but in the event of severe financial hardship an application can be made to have this covered. Your application email MUST be with us by Monday 10 October 5pm.

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UC innovator receives inaugural medal

The recipient of the UC Innovation Medal for 2010 is Associate Professor Keith Alexander for his "spring-free" trampoline invention which now sells around the world.

He also has many other ideas which are in various stages on the way to commercialisation. These innovations range from jet boat steering mechanisms, snow probes and nifty lifters through to microhydro plants.

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Journalism students work around the world

Two UC journalism students have been selected for internships in Jakarta and a third will be at Scott Base when their course ends.

Jenee Tibshraeny and Talia Shadwell will spend two months in Jakarta funded by the Asia New Zealand  Foundation. This the fourth year Canterbury journalism students (11 in total)  have had the opportunity to work at media organisations such as the Jakarta Globe and Metro TV.

James Borrowdale will be the third UC journalism student to spend two months reporting from Scott Base under the auspices of Antarctica New Zealand.

Do not believe scare stories about fracking

It is far worse!

Info night about fracking with Green MP David Clendon, Reuben Hunt, Karen de Lautour, and Bruce MacIntyre in association with the UC Sustainability Office.

Monday 3 October, 7.30pm
A5 lecture theatre, University of Canterbury.

More information