September 3, 2021
Image by Andrew Campbell, Western Communications
Working closely with the Middlesex-London Health Unit, Western is prepared for a safe return to in-person learning, in alignment with a new provincial framework for post-secondary institutions with strong vaccination policies.
Zalika Reid-Benta. Submitted photo
New writer-in-residence, award-winning author Zalika Reid-Benta, shares how she views her new role and her own journey from student writer to mentor.
Jack Fairs. Photo by Genevieve Moreau
Mustangs icon Jack Fairs passed away Aug. 30 at the age of 98. Fairs played and coached many Western teams and is recognized as one of the founding fathers of Western’s physical education department, which became the School of Kinesiology.
Residence food services staffer Marilyn Malko. Photo by Debora Van Brenk, Western Communications
Building on its commitment to sustainable development, Western has developed a plan for responsible sourcing, sustainable dining, waste reduction and diversion in campus residences.
Aerial view of Mistastin Lake crater. Photo by Gordon Osinski
Gordon “Oz” Osinski, director of Western Space, is leading a space training mission at the Mistastin Lake impact crater in northern Labrador to train future astronauts for the next lunar expedition.
Dan Belliveau. Photo courtesy of the Faculty of Health Sciences
The campus community is mourning the loss of former UWOFA president and health sciences professor Daniel Belliveau who died Aug. 17. Belliveau was the recipient of numerous teaching awards and honours and served as the marshal of convocation. In his honour, UWOFA is planning a student scholarship in Health Sciences and the creation of a service award.
Working at Western
Infographic by Rob Potter, Western Communications
Classroom ventilation exceeds standards: report
Ventilation in all classrooms at Western meets – and in most cases exceeds – the high standards of measurement to prevent potential airborne spread of coronavirus, according to a recent analysis of the university’s buildings.
Plans for a safe return to residence
Western is ready to welcome students to residence Sept. 3 to 6. The Housing team works directly with the Middlesex-London Health Unit on developing health and safety measures, including mandatory vaccinations.
Orientation week road closures
University Drive Bridge and certain campus roadways will be closed Monday, Sept. 6 to Saturday, Sept. 11 from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. during orientation week. LTC bus routes will be detoured off University Drive Bridge.
On-campus COVID-19 vaccination and testing centre
The vaccination and testing centre is open in the Graphic Services Building for any registered student or current employee with an active Western username and password. Upcoming vaccination and testing availability are Monday, Sept. 6 through Wednesday, Sept. 8, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 9 and Friday, Sept. 10, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Photo of the Week
Ivey grad Simu Liu, HBA’11, has literally changed the face of superheroes, joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as its first Asian superhero in the new movie, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, released in theatres around the world this weekend.
Coming Up
Michelle Wilson: Remnants, Outlaws and Wallows, installation view. Aug. 5 — Sept. 11 at McIntosh Gallery
Friday, Sept. 10 (2 p.m.)
Remnants, Outlaws and Wallows virtual symposium
Visual arts PhD student Michelle Wilson will moderate a virtual roundtable discussion on the interconnectedness of bison, settler colonialism, conservation and Indigenous peoples.
Wednesday, Sept. 15 (12 p.m.)
Innovation Ambassadors monthly speaker series
See what your colleagues are working on and how you can engage in the innovation ecosystem at Western and in the local community. Featuring Saqib Sachani, business development officer at WORLDiscoveries, and Shawn Li, Canada Research Chair in molecular and epigenetic basis of cancer, this month's discussion focuses on rapid testing for COVID-19 antibodies.
Thursday, September 30
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Sept. 30 has been designated as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Western will follow its regular academic and work schedule on Sept. 30, but will also formally observe the day with a programme of events developed by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. The programme has been designed to support ongoing education and reflection opportunities for everyone at Western within a spirit of reconciliation. Detailed information about the programme will be shared on the Office of Indigenous Initiatives website closer to the date.
Western in the News
Photo by David Clode via Unsplash
BBC Future
Do animals suffer from post-traumatic stress?
Biology professors Liana Zanette and Michael Clinchy found fear of predators can decrease the number of offsprings from wild mammals to songbirds.
CBC Radio
Ontario Today: The thing you never told your teacher but always wished could
Melanie-Anne Atkins of the Centre for Teaching and Learning on how stories help teachers better understand students’ perspectives.
Global News
Afghanistan’s anti-Taliban resistance is growing. Is it enough to retake the country?
International relations professor Erika Simpson says real resistance against the Taliban would likely come from the refugees who were displaced.
CBC Radio
Western researcher tackling ways to safeguard nuclear waste
Electrochemist and chair in radiation-induced chemistry Samantha Gateman on finding foolproof materials that can be used for containers to safely store nuclear waste.
Commentary
Photo by Marc Thele via Pixabay
Advice from Western experts Daniel Ansari, Erin House, Colin King and Jacqui Specht on how elementary and secondary students (and their parents) can prepare for a return to the classroom.
