March 11, 2022
(Photo source: Rob Potter/Western Communications)
As we reflect on two years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, Western’s public health, social justice and legal experts weigh in on the lessons learned and the next steps forward.
Carina Gabriele (Submitted photo)
Western alum Carina Gabriele is one of four new national recipients of the Governor General’s Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case, a national recognition honouring Canadians who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of gender equity.
(Photo source: iStock)
In celebration of International Women’s Day, Western News asked some of our women leaders and professionals to reflect on what women’s equity and women’s rights mean for them and for their work.
(Photo source: Western Communications)
Since Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine two weeks ago, Western International has been working with campus partners to address the immediate needs of current students, and with institutional partners across the country to formulate a national response.
(Photo source: Ralf1969/Wikimedia Commons)
With Russian troops taking over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Enerhodar, Ukraine, concerns around safety have intensified. Western engineering professor Hamid Abdolvand explains the facts on nuclear safety and the implications of Russia’s actions.
International Court of Justice, The Hague, Netherlands (Photo source: Wikimedia Commons)
Western international law experts, Valerie Oosterveld and Ryan Liss, weigh in on the broader implications of a potential ruling against Putin’s war while the International Court of Justice prepares to rule on a case that could impact Russia’s legal standing on its unprovoked attack on Ukraine.
Working at Western
University Drive Bridge (Photo source: Brandon Watson)
University Drive Bridge inspection
University Drive Bridge will be closed to motor vehicles from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, March 14, for its annual bridge inspection. One sidewalk will remain open for pedestrians and cyclists to walk across during the inspection.
COVID-19 update
Western’s masking mandate and vaccination policy will remain in effect until at least the end of this term. We thank the entire Western community for working together over the past two years to protect our campus.
Have your say – The future of Western Libraries
Share your ideal library experience and you could win up to $500 in prizes. Your input will inform the new Western Libraries strategic plan.
Western equity census
There is still time to be counted in Western’s equity census. The census is voluntary, confidential and available by logging into My Human Resources.
LifeWorks supports
As the situation in Ukraine escalates, some may be experiencing uncertainty, stress, anxiety and other responses. Your employee assistance plan, LifeWorks, provides year-round help 24 hours a day, every day.
Photo of the Week
A bright new Indigenous Learning Space skylight was lifted into place this week. (Photo source: Jeff Jones)
Coming Up
(Photo source: Prasanth Inturi/Pexels)
Monday, March 14 (12:10 p.m.)
Guided Meditation
Take a well-deserved break to focus on your emotional and spiritual well-being. Attend this guided meditation session brought to you by Living Well @ Western.
Week of March 14
ReShape
This four-day event focused on gender-based and sexual violence prevention and education programming for students includes engaging activities and workshops. Keynote speaker events are open to employees.
March 22 (9 a.m.)
Sustainable foods conference
Join Peggy O’Neil – assistant professor, home economist and host of Food for the Future – when she welcomes a panel of experts to explore the innovation, ideas and technologies that contribute to food system sustainability.
Throughout March and April
Music concerts and recitals
From large ensembles to solo credit recitals, more than 100 musical events are taking place at the Don Wright Faculty of Music for the remainder of the term. Mandatory masking and vaccination requirements are in place.
Western in the News
(Photo source: Amir Ghoorchiani/Pexels)
The Toronto Star
Volodymyr Zelenskyy: A masterclass in leadership
Ivey professors Kimberley Young Milani and Gerard Seijts write that what has distinguished Zelenskyy’s leadership is not his strategic cunning or tactical acumen, but his depth of character during a time of extreme crisis.
The Globe and Mail
Leaders are expected to be bold and assertive. So why do women leaders get penalized for it?
In this piece for International Women’s Day, sociology professor Tracey Adams explores expectations around leadership personality traits and how they differ for men and women.
Global News – The New Reality
Effective Altruism: Young Canadians taking charity to the extreme
How do you do the most good in the best way possible? Philosophy professor Anthony Skelton explores this moral question at the centre of a global philosophical and social movement called effective altruism.
The Globe and Mail
Ontario lifting COVID-19 mask mandates in most public settings, including schools, on March 21
As Ontario moves to lift mask mandates later this month, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry professor Dr. Nitin Mohan says masks are low-cost, easy to wear and have been shown to reduce virus spread, all good arguments for keeping restrictions for the time being.
Commentary
(Photo source: Wikimedia Commons)
Kinesiology professor MacIntosh Ross explains why sports are tied to political events whether we like it or not.
