a campus newsletter published for the Sault College community ∙ January, 2015
Investing in Well-Being at Sault College This month, Premier Kathleen Wynne visited Sault College as part of her tour across Ontario visiting various post-secondary institutions. Wynne chose Sault College as one of her stops to recognize the important work Sault College is doing to support and teach our students. During her visit, the Premier met with students in the Native Education centre, met with faculty and staff and toured the Mental Health Hub. Premier Kathleen Wynne and MPP David Orazietti announce funding for the Mental Health Hub
While on campus, Premier Wynne also announced renewing support for a successful project at Sault College that improves student access to high-quality mental health services. The province is investing $454,000 over two years to extend the Sault College Mental Health Hub initiative. Sault College, in collaboration with other key community partners, will have the opportunity to build on the operations of its existing Mental Health Hub. The additional funding received will ensure the continued success of our Mental Health Hub and provide critical supports to our students. The funding will help students deal with mental health issues and provide the necessary supports to stay in school and graduate successfully. Particularly, the focus on Aboriginal students who account for 20% of Sault College student population will allow the Mental Health Hub to continue to incorporate traditional Aboriginal approaches to healing as an option. Premier Kathleen Wynne and MPP David Orazietti meet with students in the Native Education Centre, Enji Maawnjiding
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Scuttlebutt January 2015
Defeat Depression Members of the Sault College community participated in the Defeat Depression campaign that provides hope and reduces stigma for people who are affected by depression.
Team Continuing Education participate in the Defeat Depression Walk
Across Canada, communities planned walks, runs, rides and other physical and social activities to raise awareness and funds for mental health initiatives. Locally, Sault College’s Mental Health Hub held a very successful walk on January 20th on the Health and Wellness Centre track. Congratulations to Sault College’s Continuing Education department who was a top team fundraiser contributing $125 to this great cause.
Sault College and Employment Solutions Host Annual Job and Career Fair Sault College and Employment Solutions will be hosting their annual Job and Career Fair on Wednesday, February 4th from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Sault College Health and Wellness Centre. Over 65 exhibitors including local, provincial and national employers from a variety of employment sectors will meet with students, alumni, and members of the community throughout the day. Community members seeking employment or even a career change are welcome to this event. Sault College’s Employment Solutions staff, funded by Employment Ontario, will be available to provide clients with information on all the employment services and programs job seekers may require. Employers will be on site accepting résumés and offering valuable advice to students, alumni and guests. In addition, various organizations have indicated that upcoming openings will be discussed with job seekers on this day. This event is sponsored by the Sault College Student Job Centre and Employment Solutions. The event is open to the general public as well as all Sault College students and alumni, and is free to enter. 2
Scuttlebutt January 2015
Student Satisfaction Survey Each winter, students at every college in Ontario are given the opportunity to provide their feedback on overall college experience. The Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Student Satisfaction survey is a tool of the Ontario government to ensure colleges are providing a quality learning environment. This year’s survey period is Monday, February 2nd through Friday, February 13th. We take great pride in the results of this survey. Last year, Sault College was ranked #1 for overall student satisfaction and this represents a remarkable feat. The overall satisfaction score for each program and for the College as a whole is the average of four capstone questions on the survey: The overall quality of the learning experiences in this program #1 in the province 2014 Overall, your program is giving you knowledge and skills that will be useful in your future career #4 in the province 2013 The overall quality of the facilities/resources in the college #1 in the province 2014 The overall quality of the services in the college #2 in the province 2014 Faculty members scheduled to host the in-class survey have been contacted and have all graciously agreed to host the 30-minute survey. Students will have the opportunity to rank the importance of varying aspects of program quality, the physical environment, services, and student life, and to indicate their level of satisfaction with each. Earning our students’ high satisfaction is a joint effort of every member of the Sault College community. It is the continual respect you show to students and the pride they see in your performance that assures them that they made right decision by choosing Sault College. Please know that each one of us has influence over a student’s success and well-being at the College. If you have any questions concerning this process or to learn more, contact Jill Pateman, Manager, Academic Quality Assurance at ext. 2481. Thanks to everyone who is helping administer these surveys. 3
Scuttlebutt January 2015
Students We’re Proud of Sault College Hospitality Management student, Samantha Reed, and Culinary Management student, Jonathon Armstrong, were each presented with a $500 cheque from TD Canada Trust at this month’s well-attended Chamber of Commerce Take Five event. The Take Five networking event, included serving a host of gourmet appetizers and desserts to a sell-out business crowd in Sault College’s Samantha Reed and Jonathon Armstrong with their professors Peter Graf, newly redesigned and modernized Deron Tett and Chef Sarah Birkenhauer teaching restaurant, Willow. Guests were given the opportunity to taste the refined and contemporary palate of flavours that the new Willow Teaching Restaurant offers. As the title sponsor for the Take Five event, TD Canada Trust takes this opportunity each year to recognize the academic performance of two students who excel in the Culinary and Hospitality programs. Samantha Reed, a second-year Hospitality Management student, chose this program because she wanted to study something with variety. After graduation, Reed would like to work at an international hotel chain and work her way to a managerial role. “As a young mother, the College has really allowed me to break out of my shell and have a sense of direction and a plan. I want to say thank you to Sault College for offering this program and to my teachers who do such a fantastic job educating us and helping us develop to achieve our career goals,” said Reed. Jonathon Armstrong, a second-year Culinary Management student, chose the program because he could not see himself sitting at a desk all day. “I have a great passion for food and cooking. I blindly enrolled into the Culinary Management program at Sault College and it turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made. Upon graduation, I aspire to be Chef de Cuisine at a wellestablished restaurant. Sault College gave me the confidence to be successful in this industry. The instructors are more than knowledgeable and I would like to thank them for their patience and for the great education,” stated Armstrong. Sault College congratulates these award recipients in striving for academic excellence while being dedicated to achieving their personal best.
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Scuttlebutt January 2015
Willow Teaching Restaurant Opening February 4th To view Willow’s fine dining menu click here To make a reservation, please e-mail willow@saultcollege.ca or call 705-759-2554, ext. 2513. 5
Scuttlebutt January 2015
Sault College has “Got Game”
Screen shots of the two video games created at Sault College during the Global Game Jam
Students from the College’s popular Video Game Art program participated in the Global Game Jam this month. Global Game Jam is the world’s largest game jam event. The event brings together talented individuals in our community as they create a global buzz in games by exploring the process of game development through programming, design, narrative exploration and artistic expression. Participants around the globe rally around a central theme and every team has 48 hours to create a game based on that theme. The jam involves groups gathering on late Friday afternoon to view a short video announcing the secret theme. All sites worldwide are then tasked with creating and completing a game based on the theme to be presented by Sunday afternoon. The event saw artists from Sault College, The Innovation Centre and Algoma Games for Health as well as programmers from Algoma University. Congratulations to everyone who collaborated on this great project.
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Scuttlebutt January 2015
Reduce the Stigma
Let’s Talk Cookies at Sault College’s Bell Let’s Talk event
Tuesday, January 27th is the annual Bell Let’s Talk Day on which Bell contributes $.05 to mental health related initiatives for every text message sent and each long distance call that Bell and Bell Aliant customers make. In addition to phone and text, communities are encouraged to engage in dialogue about mental health through social media and access information about the mental health community via the Bell Let’s Talk portal at www.bell.ca/letstalk. As part of Sault College’s Mental Health Initiative, recognizing that simply talking makes a significant impact in breaking down the barriers to mental health, a speaker’s series was hosted by Lisa Carricato, Mental Health Educator at Sault College. Clients of the Canadian Mental Health Association also spoke openly along with staff and students, and community members about their stories and struggles in dealing with mental health. One of the key pillars of Bell’s Mental Health Initiative is anti-stigma and Sault College played a small role in reducing the stigma of mental illness. Well done, everyone.
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Scuttlebutt January 2015
Photovoltaic Installations Begins in Barbados In recent years, a number of unique partnerships have enhanced the learning environment of the College and one of those key partnerships is with Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic in Bridgetown, Barbados (SJPP). The inaugural course in photovoltaic installations began on the island this month and Sault College representatives were on-hand to officially launch the course and open the impressive lab. Over a total of three years, Sault College and SJPP will work collaboratively His Excellency, Mr. Richard Hanley, High Commissioner, Canada, Sen. Dr. The Hon. to develop training to support Esther Byer, Minister of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development, the growing Renewable Energy Dr. Ron Common, President, Sault College, Mr. Ralph Williams, CEO, Williams Solar, Mr. Hector Belle, Principal, SJPP open new lab at SJPP Industry in Barbados and throughout the Caribbean. In addition, this partnership is further strengthened by support from the Technical Vocational and Educational Training (TVET) Council of Barbados, as well as the SJPP Advisory Committee for Renewable Energy, comprising educators and leading entrepreneurs and manufacturers within the industry. The course, Photovoltaic Installations Level 1, targets participants with either one year experience in the solar photovoltaic industry and/or a Certificate or Diploma in Electrical Installation, or its equivalent. Upon successful completion of the course, graduates will receive the SJPP Unit Certificate in Photovoltaic Installations 1 or the National Vocational Qualification in selected units for Roofer - Fitter Level 2. The Sault College-SJPP partnership is part of a Canadian Government commitment to the Caribbean region through the Caribbean Education For Employment Program (C-EFE). Funding for the C-EFE program is provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD) and is administered and supported by Colleges and Institutes Canada.
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His Excellency, Mr. Richard Hanley, High Commissioner, Canada, CEFE coordinator Scuttlebutt January 2015 Linda Cooke and Dr. Ron Common, President, Sault College at SJPP launch. A SJPP student is standing in the background.
Upcoming Events: Wednesday, February 4th: Job and Career Fair. Noon-5:00 p.m. in the Student Health and Wellness Centre. Wednesday, February 4th: Willow Teaching Restaurant opens to the public. Limited Seating, for reservations email willow@saultcollege.ca or call ext. 2513. Saturday, February 14th and Sunday, February 15th: Sault College Pow Wow in the Student Health and Wellness Centre. Grand Entries at noon and 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 14 th with a community feast at 5:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. Grand entry at noon on Sunday, February 15th Monday, February 16th: Family Day, College closed for the holiday Tuesday, February 17th: Toastmasters Speech Contest, 11:45 a.m. in the Health and Wellness Centre meeting room Saturday, February 21st: Self Defence for Women, One Day Workshop from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the Health and Wellness Centre. Cost is $93.61. Contact the Registrar’s Office at 7596700 option 3. Wednesday, February 25th: President’s Academic Excellence Awards at 6:30 p.m. in the Common Link. All are welcome. Thursday, February 26th: Open House for Toastmasters, Multi Media Centre B1170 at 7:00 p.m. Save the date – Sault College Open House, Saturday April 11th!
We hope you enjoyed reading the January issue of Scuttlebutt. Submissions for the next issue will be taken rd until February 23 . Please send your stories and story ideas to Tessa Vecchio in Communications at Tessa.Vecchio@saultcollege.ca and have a great month!
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Scuttlebutt January 2015