Monday, October 22, 2012

University of Lethbridge Named Canada's Top Undergrad Research University by Research Infosource

The University of Lethbridge continues to evolve as one of the country’s leading research-intensive universities, earning recognition last week as the 2012 Research University of the Year (undergraduate category) from Research Infosource.

The U of L increased its research income by an astounding 38.7 percent over the past year, and combined with other indicators such as research intensity, publication intensity and publication impact, moved from 9th to 1st place in the 22-member undergraduate classification. 

As a comprehensive university with a focus on both undergraduate and graduate education, the U of L’s unique approach creates research opportunities for students early in their undergraduate studies.

By investing in the establishment of nine research centres and institutes, and a clear objective outlined in the 2012-2017 Research and Academic Plan, the University is focused on continuing to grow as one of Canada’s most influential universities. Read more here.

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United Way Campaign Weekly Update

The annual United Way fundraising campaign is one of the most significant ways in which citizens can make an impact on their community.

Have you made your pledge to the 2012 United Way campaign yet? The University of Lethbridge has set a goal to raise $35,000 in support of the Lethbridge & South Western Alberta chapter of the United Way.

Here's your opportunity to donate, along with the chance to win this week's prize for participation, one of three $50 Costco gift cards, to be drawn from everyone who gives to the United Way.

Also, the unit with the greatest participation will receive a grand prize office party.

The U of L 2012 campaign runs Oct. 15 to Nov. 9.

If you have any questions or need more information before making your contribution, please visit this website, or call Clark Ferguson at 403-332-4109. You can make your gift online or  by payroll deduction.

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U of L Library Hosts Open Access Week, October 22 to 28

The University of Lethbridge Library is celebrating Open Access Week during the week of October 22 to 28. Open Access is the immediate, free, online access to the results of scholarly research. Please visit the library to learn more about Open Access!

October 24 -- Public Presentation: In celebration of Open Access Week, we are inviting the University Community to a public presentation by Michael Hohner. The presentation is entitled “Walking through walls: On the grave matter of Open Access so far and of a more defeasible solution for its future.” Learn more here.

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Tennant Named Chair of New Alberta Agency

Alberta will build the most comprehensive environmental monitoring program in Canada with the establishment of a new arm’s-length environmental monitoring agency, led by University of Lethbridge President Emeritus Dr. Howard Tennant.

The agency will be built on credible science, research and data collection. This is the key recommendation of the independent Environmental Monitoring Working Group report released by the Alberta government.

The new science-based agency will begin work in the oil sands region and will focus on what is monitored, how it’s monitored and where it’s monitored. This will include integrated and coordinated monitoring of land, air, water and biodiversity. Read more here.

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Roy Weasel Fat Named Interim Director of FNMI Centre

In September 2011, President Mike Mahon asked professor Dr. Leroy Little Bear, Roy Weasel Fat (Red Crow Community College vice-president academic) and professor Dr. Jane O’Dea to develop an overarching strategy that would create support for FNMI students, faculty, staff and community members at the University of Lethbridge.

The FNMI Report to the President was the result, and the development of an FNMI Centre, of which Weasel Fat is now the interim director, is a key recommendation of the report. Read more here. 

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U of L Neuroscientist Part of Global Research Alliance to Prevent Prematurity and Stillbirth

University of Lethbridge Neuroscience researcher Dr. Gerlinde Metz is part of a global team working to answer a simple question with no clear answer: Why do some women, world-wide, go into premature labour?

While more than 60 per cent of premature babies are born in south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, preterm births also occur in developed regions.

In fact, Alberta has Canada’s highest provincial rate for premature births, accounting for more than nine per cent of babies born each year.

Metz and her research team at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN) are part of a broader effort led by University of Alberta researcher Dr. David Olson and colleagues from universities in Montreal, Australia and China.

The group recently received more than $1 million in funding from the Preventing Preterm Birth Initiative, a Grand Challenge in Global Health administered by the Global Alliance to Prevent Prematurity and Stillbirth (GAPPS) an initiative of Seattle Children’s Hospital, in Seattle, Washington. Get the full story here. 

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Dr. Robert (Bob) Hironaka Receives Alberta Order of Excellence

The Alberta Order of Excellence Council recently honoured eight outstanding citizens to receive the highest honour the province has to offer.

The new members, among them University of Lethbridge Chancellor Emeritus and Honorary Degree recipient Dr. Robert (Bob) Hironaka,were invested into the Alberta Order of Excellence last week, and were recognized for their exemplary records of service on the local, provincial, national and international stage. Get the full story here.

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ATCO Gift Supports FNMI Student Gathering Space

First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) students at the University of Lethbridge are the beneficiaries of a unique gift that has helped establish a common gathering space on the University of Lethbridge campus.

The Native American Students’ Lounge and Ceremonial Room have become a reality thanks in part to a $30,000 gift from ATCO Gas. Designed to enhance the campus experience of the University’s 400-plus FNMI students, the lounge serves not only as a gathering space, but fosters a sense of community amongst the FNMI student population that is essential in achieving educational success.

“ATCO Gas is pleased to support the University of Lethbridge in promoting and celebrating Aboriginal culture,” says Bill Stephens, Senior Vice President & General Manager of ATCO Gas. (photo, above)

“The ceremonial room and student lounge are unique resources that provide Aboriginal students with support and mentorship and encourage them to practice their customs and traditions.” Read more here.

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On-Campus Flu Shots October 25, November 7

Influenza Vaccinations (aka 'flu shots') will be available on campus for all (17 years old and up who are student, staff or faculty at the UofL) who wish to protect themselves against influenza in the upcoming months.  There are two more opportunities to get vaccinated. Learn where and when, here.

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U of L Open House Coming October 27 -- Volunteers Needed!

An open house for prospective students and families will take place on Oct. 27.  If you know someone who should learn more about what the U of L has to offer, please  refer them to this website for more information. 

Volunteer at Open House 2012! Recruitment and Student Life is looking for volunteers to help out with Open House on Saturday, October 27 from 8:30am - 2:30pm on the track of the 1st Choice Savings Centre. Lunch and volunteer shirts will be provided. Sign up here. 

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Humans vs. Zombies IV: the Outbreak is Coming, October 29 - November 2

Consider yourself warned -- Humans vs. Zombies IV (HvZ) is back in full force for 2012!  

The five-day, campus-wide game, hosted by the University of Lethbridge Students' Union, is designed to provide students with an exciting on-campus event to help alleviate some of the mid-semester academic and social pressures, and to provide students an avenue to strengthen social bonds outside of the classroom setting.

HvZ is an annual tradition on campus and the event has become a recognized phenomenon by campuses across Canada.

So, from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2, sit back and watch the fun happen.  Learn more here.

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If Students Can’t Write: Exploring Shared Responsibility for the Teaching of Writing in Alberta

If students can’t write, they can’t succeed -- whether in school, work, or life. Students can face many challenges when learning to write for new situations. This becomes a very serious challenge at high school and university levels.

Teachers can help change this by learning how to properly assess and manage the challenges students of all ages may face when writing.

At a one-day confrence on Oct. 26, learn from experts from the University of Lethbridge and University of Alberta who, with internationally recognized keynote speaker, Dr. Bob Broad, will host a one-day session that explores how educators can learn more about writing assessment. Get the details here.

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Let's Talk Science - Spooky Science Night, October 27

Have you ever wondered if your favorite blue candy is really blue?

Are you interested in how your breath can make magic happen?

Do creepy, crawly things excite you?

 Be sure to attend the first -- and FREE -- Spooky Science Night, put on by Let’s Talk Science at the University of Lethbridge. We would like to invite all youth ages 5 to 12 to attend our Spooky Science Night, which is set to take place on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the University of Lethbridge University Hall Atrium.

This evening will be filled with fun, Halloween-based hands-on science activities sure to excite and engage the younger generation, followed by some captivating and explosive demonstrations.

To top the night off, we will be making ice cream from liquid nitrogen for all. But the best part is that all of this is provided at no cost! Get all the terrifying details here. 

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Classroom Whiteboard and Wall Talker Cleaning Procedure

To keep whiteboards in to-ip-top shape, Caretaking will be supplying grey microfiber cloths to each classroom each day.The instructor is to clean the boards at the end of each class for the next instructor's use. The cloths should last for at least eight  classes. Learn more here.

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Wellness Updates

Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month is Oct 1 – 31…the 2012 theme is Life-Work Harmony –Working Toward a Great Life! Over the next few months the Wellness Committee will be showcasing an education and awareness program around mental health in the workplace.

Oct. 21 - 27 - Keeping our workplace safe

Oct. 30 -  “Mindful Meditation” Lunch and Learn AH100 – 12:00 noon – 1:00 PM

Upcoming Wellness Events:

November 7 -- Life Balance Fair: The Wellness Committee would like to take this opportunity to bring health and wellness information and resources to where you are – at work! Come out to the 6th annual Life Balance Fair – November 7 from 10 a.m. to  1 p.m. on the Indoor Track at the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness.

Watch for information and results from the Employee Health and Wellness Survey that hopefully you participated in last spring.

Find out the following:
- Top 5 responses when employees think about health
- What percentage of employees are exposed to second hand smoke at work or at home?
- How many people are aware of the Employee and Family Assistance Program?
- What do your co-workers do to manage their stress?

Other:

There is still room in this semester’s Health Check for U – vascular screening program. 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 register or for more information

Mini Massages: 

Wednesday Nov. 7 - 2:30 - 4:15 PM Room TH141
Thursday Nov. 22 - 12:00 Noon - 1:15 PM Room L1114

Learn more about Wellness programing here.

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Regional Innovation Network of Southern Alberta Hosts Global Business Access Workshop, Nov. 1

The Regional Innovation Network of Southern Alberta, (RINSA) is hosting an upcoming event: Global Business Access, Conducting International Business at the Lethbridge Lodge hotel on Thursday, November 1, 2012.

RINSA is  a partnership between the University of Lethbridge Industry Liaison Office, Lethbridge College, Economic Development Lethbridge, SouthGrow, Lethbridge Community Futures and National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program.

RINSA provides the collective goal of empowering entrepreneurs to develop and commercialize new products that will bolster the economy of our region. Learn more here. 

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Faculty and Staff Directory Photos - Free Professional Portraits

We are once again offering sessions for faculty and staff directory photos. Need a new photo for your website, book cover, conference posters, to send to your mother, and of course the Campus Directory?

For those who are new faculty or staff, missed previous opportunities, or would just like to update your current photo - here is your chance. 

Sessions are being held November 6 through the 8 in the  Library - Curriculum Lab - Instructional Material Production Room [L1170B].

 To Sign up for your free photo session, please visit this website

If you are unable to attend at your appointed time please log back in and cancel your appointments so that others have an opportunity to sign up for that time slot.

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Board of Governors Policy Changes

On Oct. 11, 2012 at the Open Session Meeting of the Board of Governors of the University of Lethbridge, updates to the following policies were approved:

* Art Placement Policy
* Survey Policy
* Designation of Senior Administration Policy
* Approval and Signing Authorization Policy

At the same meeting, the creation of the following policy was approved:

* Communicable Disease/Pandemic Policy

Also at the same meeting, the following policy was rescinded:

* Review of Senior Academic Administrators Policy.

To view these policies, please visit this website

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There's Still Room on the "Blood Bus," October 26

If you are interested in hopping on the bus to save a life and give blood, please note that there are still a few spots available on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012  for the12:10 p.m. pickup. 
           
Please  join us by contacting Patti Leeb @ leeb@uleth.ca or call 403-329-5182; book for yourself and get your friends to book to make it even more fun!

The bus will pick up those who sign up at outside the 1st Choice Savings Centre Building  (near the entrance closets to Tim Horton's) and drop them off at that same location after everyone is done.

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Chili Dinner and "Walking the Camino" Talk Supports Ecumenical Campus Ministry

A chili dinner and talk will be held on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. at Southminster United Church.  In a talk titled “Pilgrims on a Journey, Fellow Travellers on the Road”, Rev'd Andrew Horne, a local Anglican priest, will share his experiences of walking the Camino at least 5 different times. 

Proceeds from this event will support the work of Chaplain Erin Phillips in Ecumenical Campus Ministry at both the University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College. To get tickets and learn more, please visit this website. 

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Next Uweekly -- Monday, October 29

If you have a notice or information to submit for the week of Oct. 29 and beyond, please contact robert.cooney@uleth.ca.

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