Monday, February 13, 2012
President's Message: Provincial Budget Update
The Government of Alberta released the 2012 Provincial Budget late last week, and while we are still learning more details about the budget and how it will affect the University of Lethbridge, we are encouraged by the government’s introduction of predictable, three-year funding for the post-secondary sector.
The modest operating grant increases of 2 per cent per year for the next three years is also welcome, especially in light of the 0 per cent we have received for the last two years.
While we are grateful for the increase, it is important to note that this will not fully offset the cost of increases we will face this year and beyond, including a rise in cost of living, utility prices and other associated items.
Read more here.
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Pension and Benefits News Now Available
The latest Pension and Benefits newsletter contains some time sensitive information about 2011 Spending Accounts deadlines, RRSP contribution deadlines and important changes to Tuition Benefit process. Learn more here.
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Summer Temporary Employment Program (STEP) Information
The Summer Temporary Employment Program (STEP) encourages the hiring of students across Alberta in the months of May, June, July and August because of their particular needs relating to summer employment, and because of the importance and value of career-related summer employment for students.
STEP is a provincially funded REIMBURSEMENT program that provides a wage subsidy of $7.00 per hour. The 2012 STEP program runs from April 30, 2012 to August 31, 2012.
Get the details here.
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Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) Program Information
Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) is a Government of Canada initiative that provides funding to help employers create summer job opportunities for students based on certain assessment criteria and local priorities.
The application period is from February 1 to February 29, 2012. Please consult the Canada Summer Jobs Applicant Guide and review the local priorities.
Links to the CSJ Application form can be found here.
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YWCA Women of Distinction Awards Recognize U of L Community Members
A current University of Lethbridge faculty member, and a graduate/former employee are among the people selected by the YWCA as the 2012 Women of Distinction.
Dr. Mary Runte
(Faculty of Management, pictured above) and Sarah Amies (BA '88 with Distinction), currently the Program Director of Lethbridge Family Services – Immigrant Services, will receive their YWCA Women of Distinction Awards on March 23, 2012 alongside entrepreneur Vicky Vannatta Miller, lawyer and community volunteer Berga Moen and 87-year-old Edith M. Stewart, this year's "Wise Woman of Distinction."
The YWCA Women of Distinction Awards recognize outstanding women who live and work in southern Alberta.
Through a competitive process, the honourees are chosen from a group of nominations. The awards are based on the candidate’s accomplishments, commitment and leadership.
The Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony is a wonderful venue to showcase the talent and leadership of women in southern Alberta. Women honoured have been trailblazers, entrepreneurs, innovators, social advocates, and volunteers.
The Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony will take place on Friday, Mar. 23 starting at 5 p.m. at the Lethbridge Lodge. The guest speaker is Leela Gilday, aboriginal singer/songwriter and a winner at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards.
Read more here.
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CCBN Researcher Andrew Iwaniuk Featured on "Raccoon Nation" PBS/CBC TV program
They look cute and cuddly, but raccoons can wreck your house -- and a host of other things.
CCBN researcher Dr. Andrew Iwaniuk was recently interviewed for a TV documentary entitled "Raccoon Nation" which aired in Canada on the Nature of Things and, recently, the PBS program Nature.
Among other topics, Iwaniuk discusses the challenges homeowners face in overcoming the spread of raccoons to urban areas, and how the raccoon brain evolves to enhance their natural tendency to learn quickly how to get into houses, garages and garbage. View the video here.
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Play Day at the U of L, Feb. 20
Play Day is about celebrating the importance of play in our lives, and the U of L community is going to be demonstrating this in full force on Family Day, Monday, Feb. 20. from 12 noon until 4 p.m.
A preliminary event list can be found here.
Join us and event partner 1st Choice Savings for a free family-themed event that involves play in many forms.
This year’s pirate-themed event will have you doing everything from creating your own treasure map to walking the plank, building a Fort and getting a bird’s eye view from the Crow’s Nest.
Play is essential for physical and emotional growth, for mental, intellectual and educational development, and for acquiring social and behavioural skills -- and it's fun!
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Scotiabank Announces $150,000 Gift to U of L for Mentorship Program
The University of Lethbridge welcomed Scotiabank officials to campus on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012 to announce a major gift in support of First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) students.
The $150,000 investment will help launch a mentorship program aimed at post-secondary students, as well as students in junior high and high schools in Lethbridge and reserve communities throughout southern Alberta.
"Education is one or five pillars of Scotiabank's global philanthropic program known as 'Bright Future'," said Shannon Burch, Vice-President, Southern Alberta/Kootenays, Scotiabank.
"We have always believed in contributing to communities in which we live, work and do business. Scotiabank takes tremendous pleasure in supporting important institutions like the University of Lethbridge."
Get additional details here.
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Native Awareness Week Activities, Feb. 27 - Mar. 2
The University of Lethbridge is proud to host Native Awareness Week, from Feb. 27 – Mar. 2.
The action-packed week of events celebrates the 35th anniversary of the Native American Students’ Association and features a Pow-wow, guest lecture by renowned First Nations Architect Douglas Cardinal, dramatic presentations, an evening of “Out of the Box” music hosted by the Native American Students’ Association -- and much more.
Get the details here. Please note that this listing may change as events are added.
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45th Anniversary Profile: Brian Kinahan
As part of the University of Lethbridge’s 45th anniversary year, a weekly profile will be broadcast on Global TV that features a person that embodies the U of L's story, whether it
be past, present or future.
Tune in this coming Thursday evening during the 6 p.m. newscasts.
This week, the segment features Brian Kinahan, (BMA ’79) the current President and CEO of 1st Choice Savings. Kinahan talks about the value of community partnerships and his links to the U of L.
Last week’s segment featured Dr. Brian Parkinson, (Dramatic Arts) a veteran faculty member who has influenced hundreds of students over his long career at the U of L.
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Wellness Update: Learn Three Secrets to Stress Management, Feb. 16
February 16 -- Lunch and Learn: Three Secrets to Stress Managment with Dr. Pierre Gaulin from Harper Chiropractic Health Centre. Andy’s Place (AH100), 12 noon to 1 p.m.
FREE Mini Massages! Click here to learn more.
Latest Health and Wellness newsletter now available. Visit the Wellness website for details.
Ongoing Programs:
Register for a Health Check for U session - 15 minute confidential, free screening includes cholesterol and blood sugar levels, blood pressure, height, weight, waist circumference and follow-up consultation. To register send an email to wellness@uleth.ca.
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Celebrate Charles Darwin's Birthday, Feb. 15
Geography researcher Dr. Dan Johnson is hosting a birthday party for someone who won't be there, but whose influence on the scientific community has been significant for close to 200 years -- Charles Darwin.
The event takes place on Wednesday, Feb. 15 beginning at 7 p.m. in Galileo's lounge in the SU Building. Johnson commissioned posters from students to promote the event, and they are available for viewing here. You can have your photo taken with a stand-up Darwin, among other items on the agenda. No RSVP necessary; free to all. Learn more here.
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www.thisismyU.ca -- Alumna Jerri Bolton Helps Current Students
Jerri Bolton (BEd ’69) always knew she wanted to be a teacher and credits her University of Lethbridge education with helping her reach her goal.
“My education gave me the skills and the training I needed to be successful in a field I was passionate about,” says Jerri, who taught locally for a few years before opening a private pre-school in Lethbridge. “My career was incredibly rewarding and it wouldn’t have been possible without the experience I had at the U of L.”
As an alumna of the Faculty of Education’s first graduating class, Jerri has watched the University grow since her time as a student.
Get the full story here.
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Sam Smith, U of L's First President, Passes Away at Age 82
The University community expresses its most sincere condolences to the family, friends, former students and many colleagues of the late W.A.S. (Sam) Smith, the founding president of the University of Lethbridge.
Smith passed away peacefully on February 8, 2012 at age 82.
He joined the University July 1, 1967 as a 37-year-old psychologist who previously held academic and administrative positions at the University of Alberta, and the University of Redlands in California.
Smith completed a five-year term as U of L President on June 30, 1972. Read more here.
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Can You Guess...
... how many languages our caretaking staff speak?
Think a bit before checking, here.
If you have an interesting fact about your department or business unit that you'd like to share with the U of L community, please contact robert.cooney@uleth.ca.
The sky is the limit on what it is, but we are hopeful people can put their thinking caps on and surprise us.
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Fast FOIP Fact
Deans’ Honour Lists can be posted provided the information is limited to the student’s name and program.
Anything beyond that would be considered “educational history” (classes enrolled in, marks achieved, progress, and so forth), which is identified as “personal information” and therefore protected under the Act.
Contact karen.mahar@uleth.ca if you have FOIP questions.
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Next Uweekly --Tuesday, February 21
If you have a notice or information to submit for the week of Feb. 21 and beyond, please contact robert.cooney@uleth.ca.
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