Around the ring

CAMPUS NEWS AND VIEWS

from left: U of G president Charlotte Yates; Prof. Lawrence Hill; Indira Naidoo-Harris, AVP (diversity and human rights).

CAMPUS NEWS

U of G launches action plan to combat racism, promote inclusion

“THERE IS SO MUCH WORK TO BE DONE — AT U OF G, IN CANADA, AROUND THE WORLD – TO HELP END THE CYCLE OF RACIAL INJUSTICE.” The University of Guelph has a new action plan for addressing racism, hatred and discrimination, including a new presidential advisory committee and initiatives to promote equity, diversity and inclusivity.

The action plan was unveiled this fall by president Charlotte Yates. It includes and builds on recommendations made by students, faculty, staff and community members who have advocated for change, especially in recent months.

“Their hard work and calls for action were the impetus for our action plan,” Yates says. “The goal is to build on their efforts and bring together U of G’s Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) communities to advise and guide us in advancing real change on our campuses and beyond.”

Working collaboratively, the President’s Advisory Committee on Anti-Racism will develop a policy to address racism on campus and promote anti-racism efforts. This includes identifying and addressing systemic barriers to full and equal participation on U of G campuses and in the University’s policies, procedures and practices.

“U of G has a long-standing commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion on our campuses, but we have not done enough,” Yates says.

Referencing the rise and increased visibility of anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism in Canada and around the world, Yates adds: “The University of Guelph, like other public institutions, has an obligation to pay attention to historical and ongoing injustice and racism.”

The President’s Advisory Committee on Anti-Racism will advise the senior leadership team about how to address racism and discrimination in the University community.

The committee will comprise students, staff, faculty and community members, with at least 70 per cent representation from the BIPOC community.

It will be co-chaired by Yates and Prof. Lawrence Hill, a renowned author, advocate of racial equality and analyst of racial identity and discrimination.

“We have an obligation to act, and to do so as quickly as possible,” says Hill. “There is so much work to be done — at U of G, in Canada, around the world – to help end the cycle of racial injustice.”

The anti-racism action plan will also support and build upon successful Indigenous measures and actions that have improved student support, teaching and curriculum, research and scholarship, governance and the campus environment.

“Working together, we aim to build a campus community where every member belongs, and is able to learn, live and work in an environment free of racism and discrimination,” says Indira Naidoo-Harris, AVP (diversity and human rights).

“It’s time to take the lessons we’ve learned from recent events and use them to bring about action and positive change in our community.”

Details of the anti-racism action plan are available online at uoguelph.ca/president/action-plan.

Jide Atilola founded an annual business scholarship.

CAMPUS NEWS

Grad creates new scholarship, mentors students

A new annual scholarship supported by a University of Guelph alumnus aims to boost opportunities for Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) students in the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics.

Jide Atilola, B.Comm. ’08, launched the Atilola Real Estate Scholarship in Business for BIPOC students in the bachelor of commerce program.

The student will receive a $1,000 scholarship, as well as mentorship from Atilola.

“These students are the future leaders of this world and to empower them with mentorship and a scholarship is a dream come true,” he says. “It’s important for students to know that the University and the community are supporting them.”

The first recipient of this scholarship, B. Comm. student Bila Souza, says the experience has been “incredibly meaningful.” Souza immigrated to Canada from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2015 and enrolled in Lang’s accounting program in 2017. During their meeting, Atilola shared his experiences of being a Black aspiring business professional.

“His generosity has inspired me to help others and serve our community,” Souza says. “I hope that I will be on the list of future donors to help future generations to accomplish their dreams just as Jide has done with us.”

Atilola’s family immigrated to Canada from Nigeria in 1981. After graduating from U of G, he later returned to the Guelph area and now works as a real estate broker.

CAMPUS NEWS

Lang Plaza to become natural gathering place

Ongoing construction of Lang Plaza, a new outdoor meeting space for students on the U of G campus, is scheduled for completion in spring 2021.

Offering green space and seating, the plaza will revitalize the entrance of Macdonald Hall, home of the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics.

The 3,400-square-metre space will feature a remote-controlled firepit, a bio-infiltration garden and a water fountain named for Julia Christensen Hughes, former dean of the Lang School. A new ramp to the main entrance will improve acces to the building.

“The design of Lang Plaza reflects the importance of well-being and connection to nature,” says interim dean Sara Mann. “When students return to campus, Lang Plaza will offer a natural space to relax and learn.”

The plaza is part of a $21-million gift in 2019 from Stu and Kim Lang – the largest in U of G history – to elevate the University’s business school. The gift has also helped establish scholarships, faculty chairs and an innovation fund.

NOTEWORTHY

Strong international recognition

The University of Guelph made a strong showing in three international rankings this year.

U of G placed in the top 50 among nearly 1,000 universities worldwide in the 2020 CWTS Leiden Ranking based on numbers of scientific publications and citations.

Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects named several research disciplines at U of G among the best at more than 4,000 universities. U of G ranked 15th globally and No. 1 in Canada in veterinary science; 27th in the world and second in Canada in agricultural sciences; and 50th globally and third in Canada in ecology.

The human resources program in the Department of Management in U of G’s Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics was recognized among the five best HR programs in Canada by Your Workplace magazine.

“This is richly deserved recognition of the research excellence of our faculty and proof-positive of the global impact of their research,” says Malcolm Campbell, vicepresident (research).

Around the ring

True colours: Despite the pandemic restrictions, U of G students are sporting some colourful school spirit.

CAMPUS NEWS

A fall semester like no other

Ever-changing provincial and public health directives. A potential second wave of infections. No current vaccine. A concerned greater Guelph community. These were among the challenges facing University of Guelph leaders as they planned the fall 2020 semester.

“COVID-19 was and continues to be a complex, rapidly changing situation,” says Daniel Atlin, vicepresident (external). “It makes planning and decision-making incredibly challenging.”

U of G – along with universities across the province – had to re-evaluate its approach for this fall semester. From late spring until classes began Sept. 10, faculty and staff created a hybrid model of instruction, with most courses being delivered remotely and only limited in-person classes and labs, all following public health and safety protocols.

As a result, there are far fewer people on campus. About 1,000 students are living in residences and in family housing, compared to more than 5,000 in a typical year. Another 10,000 students are estimated to be living in the greater Guelph area.

Some buildings are open only to students and faculty involved in face-to-face classes. However, the campus is open for all students wishing to study, with spaces designated in the University Centre and the library, following appropriate physical distancing and capacity limits.

While it’s a quiet campus, there’s a buzz in new online learning environments and virtual communities.

Numerous innovations were launched to ensure at-home, high-quality learning through new platforms and learning tools intended to offer a vibrant and varied educational experience. Faculty and staff in every college have embraced remote, interactive, multimedia models of online instruction to deliver engaging course material.

“We’ve broken down the walls of the classroom and taken that experience to their computer,” says Prof. Janet Beeler-Marfisi, Department of Pathobiology in the Ontario Veterinary College.

The University also boosted efforts to safeguard student health and well-being, including launching an innovative and interactive safety campaign and developing protocols and guidelines.

Student Wellness is offering vital health and wellness supports, both remotely and in-person, and Student Life has initiated numerous programs to engage and support students.

“We were disappointed that we could not physically welcome most of our students back to campus,” says Carrie Chassels, vice-provost (student affairs).

“However, we worked extremely hard to ensure that there are plenty of opportunities this fall for students to be supported, to get involved and to stay connected.”

CAMPUS NEWS

Financial supports for students as pandemic continues

U of G provided $4 million in new funding to support international students and reduced student compulsory fees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

New one-time tuition credits and bursary and scholarship support for international students followed enhancements to emergency bursaries made in the winter and spring 2020 semesters.

The University provided residence spaces to international

students who were unable to leave the country when the pandemic started, and offered counselling, wellness and accessibility services.

“We recognize the challenges that many of our international students are facing during this crisis and so we are taking these further actions to help them continue their studies,” says Stuart McCook, assistant vice-president (international).

The University reduced fall semester compulsory fees by 30-40 per cent and pursued innovative ways to provide quality student services online and through alternative platforms.

For new and returning students, the University provides programs and supports ranging from health services to academic and career services.

NOTEWORTHY

Grads receive convocation keepsake boxes

COVID-19 forced postponement of in-person summer convocation ceremonies at U of G, but the University still marked the occasion for its Guelph and Ridgetown campus grads. All winter and summer 2020 graduates were mailed a convocation “keepsake box” prepared by the Office of Ceremonies and Events. Students graduating this fall will also receive keepsake boxes.

Adorned with the University crest, the box contained each graduate’s degree, a souvenir program, a red and gold tassel, a congratulatory letter from the college dean and a biodegradable confetti cannon. An event ticket directed grads to a website for a video featuring the University’s outgoing president, Franco Vaccarino, and incoming president Charlotte Yates.

“Our graduates will never forget the year when they had to move from on-campus and in the classroom to at-home and online,” says Ray Darling, University registrar. “I hope they have learned what is possible when we are challenged and how to turn a crisis into an opportunity.”

NOTEWORTHY

Cast of The Office gives shout-out to U of G grads

Cast members from the acclaimed television series The Office offered congratulations to this year’s U of G graduating class. “Congrats on all your hard work and, most importantly, on your perseverance. You’re graduating during an unprecedented time,” says actor Kate Flannery. Along with actors Leslie David Baker and Brian Baumgartner (above), she encouraged grads to get busy and put their newfound knowledge to work to make the world a better place. The Office ran for nine seasons until 2013.

PEOPLE

Lysa Porth has been appointed dean of the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics. She was formerly an associate dean in the Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba.

Jessica Bowes, M.Sc. ’07, will join U of G in February 2021 as the inaugural assistant vice-president (research innovation and knowledge mobilization).

Baljit Singh, PhD ’94, has been named vicepresident (research) at the University of Saskatchewan. He currently serves as dean of the faculty of veterinary medicine at the University of Calgary.

Jesse Popp has joined the Ontario Agricultural College as the Chair in Indigenous Environmental Stewardship. A member of Wiikwemikong Unceded Territory in Ontario, she holds a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Environmental Science.

U of G graduate students

Gordon

Bell and Vicki Brisson were named as members of the inaugural Canadian Agricultural Youth Council.

Animal biosciences professor Georgia Mason is the new director of the Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare.