Inside
WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY
Waterloo | Brantford | Kitchener | Toronto
Photo: Tomasz Adamski
NOVEMBER 2012
Actor Colm Feore addresses the audience at Laurier’s fall convocation on Oct. 26. Feore received an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree during the university’s afternoon ceremony.
Celebrating long service at Laurier Together, Jan Basso and Juanne Clark have logged almost a century of service By Sandra Muir Forty years ago, students smoked in classrooms, and communication was limited to rotary telephones, typewriters and one-to-one conversations. Times have changed, and two Laurier employees have not only bore witness to these changes, they have grown professionally in ways they never anticipated. Jan Basso, director of Co-operative Education and
Career Development, and Juanne Clarke, a sociology professor and graduate program director, recently celebrated their 40th anniversaries with Laurier. “It doesn’t seem like 40 years,” said Clarke. “I feel like every year is so different and I always seem to find something I want to do next.” Clarke moved to KitchenerWaterloo from Toronto in the early 1970s when her husband got a job at Conestoga College.
Juanne Clark, left, and Jan Basso are each celebrating 40 years at Laurier.
As a graduate student, she had done some marking and offered her skills to Laurier while she looked for a full-time job. The summer before she was supposed to start, the instructor for research methodologies cancelled and Clarke was offered the job. “I thought it would only be a year or two, but I started to really enjoy teaching,” said Clarke. “So I got my PhD and I was offered a full-time job at Laurier.” When she first started teaching, there were few women in academia, ashtrays were common in classrooms, and the university — called Waterloo Lutheran University at the time — would close every day for chapel at 10 a.m. for 30 minutes. The students were also very different. “Students today are very pragmatic and focused on career,” she said. “Many of them also have to work two and three jobs just to pay for their education.” There have also been big changes in career development
for students. Basso, who was the first official employee of Laurier’s Career Development Centre, remembers having to type up job postings on cards that would
go on a bulletin board in the Concourse. The job market is also very different. Long service see page 3
Your input needed for website renewal Wilfrid Laurier University has begun a website renewal process to develop a new institutional website that will feature state-ofthe-art functionality and a fresh design based on Laurier’s new visual identity. The renewal process involves two key phases. The first, which begins this fall, is a consultation/ research phase to assess the website needs of the Laurier community and to survey current state-of-the-art web design and technology. The second phase is the development of the new website, which will be based on the information gathered in the
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A look at Homecoming highlights from the Brantford campus.
Meet Julia Hendry, Archives and Special Collections librarian, and outdoor enthusiast.
first phase and will begin in early 2013. Your input is essential. An organization as diverse as a university requires a website capable of accommodating a wide range of functionality. In order to understand your particular needs, we encourage you to share your thoughts and suggestions with us. To help us with this consultation and research, Laurier has hired mStoner Inc., an experienced web-strategy firm that specializes in post-secondary education. Website review see page 3
7 Shoshana Pollack studies the effects of incarceration on women.
Inside
November 2012
president’s message
Laurier submits proposed Strategic Mandate Agreement to province knowledge economy. Another key premise is that the province’s post-secondary system needs to be transformed. Times have changed, the paper asserts, and universities and colleges must do a better job of meeting the needs of today’s students by developing clearer pathways between colleges and universities, making greater use of technology in the education
Photo: Tomasz Adamski
The Ontario government has initiated a process aimed at bolstering the post-secondary education system in this province. In June, it issued a discussion paper called Strengthening Ontario’s Centres of Creativity, Innovation and Knowledge. As the title suggests, a central premise is that universities and colleges play a vital role in driving prosperity in the
(l-r) Laurier President Max Blouw, honorary degree recipient Darrell Bricker and Chancellor Michael-Lee Chin at fall convocation.
process, enhancing entrepreneurial and experiential learning, and improving productivity and efficiency through innovation. Along with the discussion paper, the province asked each university and college to submit a document that will start the process of establishing “strategic mandate agreements” with each institution. For this initial submission, each institution was asked to include, among other things, a statement of its proposed position (mandate) within the Ontario university system , its top three institutional priorities, and existing programs and activities that demonstrate innovation and enhanced productivity. Laurier’s submission was based on strategic and consultative initiatives previously undertaken by the university, including the Academic Plan, the Envisioning Laurier process, the Campus Master Plans, and the President’s Task Force on Multi-Campus Governance. Our proposed mandate states: “Wilfrid Laurier University will: (1) lead the province and the nation in combining the comprehensive human development of students with outstanding intellectual
development in a liberal arts tradition, and (2) lead by example in innovative and highly efficient multi-community, multi-campus delivery of academic and professional undergraduate and graduate programs within a comprehensive university context.” The priority objectives we have identified flow from this mandate: 1. Laurier will be preeminent in achieving the combined intellectual, personal and cultural development of its students. 2. Laurier’s research endeavours and partnerships will be distinguished by generating complementary outcomes of knowledge creation, community development, improvements in the modern economy and learning enrichment. 3. Laurier will be a leader in innovating high-impact and low-cost multi-community and multi-partner delivery of relevant, responsive and efficient education and research. For examples of Laurier’s innovation and productivity, we highlighted numerous activities and initiatives, including our commitment to teaching excellence, continued growth in graduate programming and research
intensity, experiential learning programs such as Co-op and Community Service-Learning, the Brantford campus, our academic partnerships with the University of Waterloo, Nipissing University, and Conestoga College, and our involvement in partnerships such as the TriUniversity Group of Libraries and the Communitech Hub. We also noted that Laurier’s proposed Milton campus plays a central role in our plans to innovate, improve productivity, and enhance student access, choice and affordability. We again asked the government for a timely decision regarding provincial funding of future satellite campuses in Ontario. I encourage you to read Laurier’s full Strategic Mandate Agreement submission, which can be found at www.wlu.ca/sma. I believe that it reflects our history and values, and that it situates us well for the future.
Max Blouw President and Vice-Chancellor
Wellness Fair promotes employee health and well-being
Photos: Mallory O’Brien
Send us your news, events & stories Email: insidelaurier@wlu.ca The Wellness Fair on the Waterloo campus featured more than 20 booths with information and demonstrations on massage, chiropractic help, blood pressure and cholesterol checks, a cooking demonstration, and health and nutrition.
InsideLaurier is published by Communications, Public Affairs & Marketing (CPAM) Wilfrid Laurier University 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3C5
InsideLaurier Volume 7, Number 3, November 2012 Editor: Stacey Morrison Contributors: Tomasz Adamski, Lori Chalmers Morrison Kevin Crowley, Sandra Muir, Mallory O’Brien, Olivia Rutt, Simon Wilson
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All submissions are appreciated, however not all submissions will be published. We reserve the right to edit all copy for accuracy, content and length.
InsideLaurier welcomes your comments and suggestions for stories. Tel: (519) 884-0710 ext. 3341 | Fax: (519) 884-8848 Email: stmorrison@wlu.ca InsideLaurier (circ. 2,100) is published eight times a year by CPAM. Opinions expressed in InsideLaurier do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or the university’s administration.
Printed on recycled paper Available online at www.wlu.ca/publicaffairs.
Deadline for submissions: November 15
Dec
Next issue of Inside December 2012
november 2012 Inside NEWS
What’s new and notable at Laurier
Nominate a faculty member for a Teaching Award Teaching Support Services is accepting nominations from the Laurier community for the Awards for Teaching Excellence. The award recognizes one full-time faculty member and one contract academic staff member who excel in teaching. Recipients will receive a certificate and plaque, a permanent notation in the university calendar and a spot in Laurier’s Teaching Hall of Fame. Nominations are due to the Faculty/School dean by Jan. 15, 2013, and to the Office of Educational Development by Feb. 1, 2013.
For eligibility requirements, and further information about the award, visit http://bit.ly/AtqT4g.
Anne Wilson re-appointed to Canada Research Chair Anne Wilson, associate professor of psychology at Laurier, has been re-appointed to the Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Social Psychology for a second five-year term. Wilson was first appointed to the Tier 2 CRC in 2007. During her first term, her research focused on the links between how people project themselves into the future and how that affects their motivation to pursue goals. In particular, she looked at the kinds
of decisions people make when they feel “close and connected” to their future selves, compared to when they see the future as remote. During her second term, Wilson will be extending this research by investigating how people respond to the possibility of a bleaker future in which they are at high risk of a negative outcome.
Laurier professor shortlisted for prestigious Governor General Literary Award Tamas Dobozy, associate professor of English and Film Studies, is shortlisted in the fiction category for the prestigious Governor General Literary Awards for his latest book, Siege 13.
The book is also a finalist for the Rogers Writers’ Trust of Canada Fiction Prize. Siege 13, which officially launched Sept. 15, 2012, is a collection of 13 linked short stories about one of the bloodiest sieges of the Second World War, which began in December of 1944 when the Red Army entered Budapest. The other nominees in the fiction category including Carrie Snyder of Waterloo for The Juliet Stories, and three Toronto-based writers: Vincent Lam for The Headmaster’s Wager, Linda Spalding for The Purchase and Robert Hough for Dr. Brinkley’s Tower. Siege 13 is Dobozy’s third collection of published stories. His previous book, Last Notes and Other Stories, won a Governor General’s Literary Award for English-toFrench translation in 2007. The winners will be announced Nov. 28 at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. The Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Award will be handed out Nov. 7 in Toronto. Both awards are worth $25,000.
Nominate an instructional assistant for an Award of Excellence
(l-r) Marc Henein, president of the Wilfrid Laurier University Alumni Association, and Rob Donelson, vice-president: Development and Alumni Relations, unveil a donor recognition plaque for the Sir Wilfrid Laurier statue.
Website review continued
Long service continued
Representatives from mStoner will visit Laurier Nov. 13, 14, and 15 to meet with specific user groups, such as faculties and administrative departments. Also, individuals from all Laurier community locations are invited to attend one of four open sessions. For times and locations, please visit www.wlu. ca/webreview. You are also invited to leave comments on an online forum at www.wlu.ca/webreview. The forum will be open Nov. 13-30. You can also email your comments or questions to: webreview@wlu.ca For more information, please visit the website at www.wlu.ca/ webreview.
“I think resumés and interview skills have always been important, but the environment is so competitive now that there are a whole set of job search skills and strategies that students need to develop,” said Basso. “But the choices open to students now are also much broader.” Basso came to Laurier in 1969 as a student, and after completing an English and French double degree, she stayed on as a secretary in Health Services. In 1976, while typing a grant proposal for a new career centre at the university, she noticed a job description for a career information coordinator. “I had never thought about working in career services, but
the job sounded interesting, so I expressed interest and I got it,” said Basso, who’s husband, Robert Basso, has been a professor in Laurier’s Faculty of Social Work for 25 years. In 1982, Basso became manager of Career Services, and was promoted again in 1985 to director, a role she has been in ever since. She has no immediate plans to slow down. “Every day we think of new programs to launch,” said Basso. “Career development is an exciting field to be in. You just look around and think, what can we do next to meet the needs of our students and alumni?” For a complete list of longserving employees (15, 25, 35 and 40 years), visit http://bit.ly/ Xt3xFK.
Nominations are being accepted for the Teaching Assistant Award of Excellence. The nomination deadline is March 1, 2013. The award recognizes the outstanding achievement of one undergraduate and one graduate
teaching/instructional assistant at Laurier. Recipients will receive a framed certificate at convocation, at which time a citation will be read, a $500 scholarship, and a spot in Laurier’s Teaching Hall of Fame. For eligibility requirements and further information about the Teaching Assistant Award, visit visit http://bit.ly/AtqT4g.
Laurier’s 2012 United Way Campaign underway Laurier’s 2012 United Way Campaign is well underway, with the first early-bird draw happening at the end of October. Faculty and staff can donate by cash, cheque, credit card or payroll deduction. Completed forms can be sent to Beth dela Rosa for the Brantford campus or to Wally Pirker for the Kitchener, Toronto and Waterloo sites. Brant United Way and United Way KW are committed to making positive, long-term sustainable change that targets the root of community issues. This year, the Brant United Way campaign goal is $1,625,000 and in KW the goal is $5,000,000. Donations in support of Laurier’s campus campaign will help ensure that vital programs and services will continue to be provided in our communities. For more information about Laurier’s campain, visit www.wlu. ca/ homepage.php?grp_id=2033.
Flu clinics available Students, staff and faculty are invited to attend free flu clinics on Laurier’s Waterloo campus Nov. 14, 15 and 23 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The clinics will take place in the Student Health and Development Centre, which is on the first floor of the Student Services Building. Walk-ins are welcome, however, priority will be given to those who make an appointment — to do so,
visit www.wlu.ca/flushots. Bring your health card or UHIP card and keep in mind that you will be required to wait in the centre for 15 minutes after the injection. The flu shot is also available to staff and faculty on the Brantford campus. Clinics will not be held, however, walk-ins are welcome. For more information, contact Health Services at extension 5803.
Laurier receives good grades in annual reports Wilfrid Laurier University continues to improve and earn high marks in The Globe and Mail’s annual Canadian University Report and Maclean’s Rankings of Canadian Universities. In the latest Canadian University Report, Laurier’s grades improved in eight categories, including Quality of Teaching and Learning Career Preparation and Research Opportunities. Laurier also placed in the top three in its size group in 13 categories nationally, including a tie for first in Class Size. This year’s survey revealed that
Laurier, which is included in the medium-size category (10,000 – 22,000 undergraduates), continues to receive high marks in teaching quality, campus atmosphere, class sizes and most-satisfied students. In the Maclean’s university rankings, Laurier placed in the top four in its category in Ontario for overalll reputation, highest quality, most innovative and leaders of tomorrow. Last year, Maclean’s moved Laurier up to the comprehensive category from the primarily undergraduate category. Laurier continues to do well in the new
category, which includes other universities across the country with a “significant degree of research activity and a wide range of programs at the undergraduate and graduate level, including professional programs.” Compared to other Ontario universities in the same category, Laurier ranked 3rd for highest quality, 4th for best overall, 4th for most innovative and 4th for leaders of tomorrow. The university improved or held its own in a number of the key student-focused categories, as well as overall research funding.
IPRM nominations underway At the heart of Laurier’s Integrated Planning and Resource Management (IPRM) process is the question, “How will we continue to make Laurier a better institution?” One of they key ways Laurier faculty and staff can help to answer this question is by becoming involved in one of the IPRM working groups: the Planning Task Force (PTF), Academic Priorities Team, Administrative Priorities Team or the
Resource Management Team. The teams will be constructed from the nominations list via an election and appointment process. For details about the process, to nominate yourself or a colleague to a team, and for answers to frequently asked questions, please visit: www.wlu.ca/IPRM. Key dates: • Nominations close Nov. 30 at 4:30 p.m. • Elections for the PTF run from Dec. 10 to 14. 3
Inside
November 2012
Executive master’s program celebrates first graduates By Sandra Muir The first cohort of Laurier’s Executive Master’s in Technology Management (EMTM) — a program designed for senior leaders who drive innovation — took the stage at Wilfrid Laurier University’s convocation ceremonies Oct. 26 to receive their Master of Science degree in Management. The EMTM is a part-time, 11-month program designed specifically for leaders who manage technological innovation. EMTM students take a variety of courses that focus on developing problem-solving skills, which they directly apply to a research project related to challenges or growth opportunities in their organization. “The rapid pace of business today makes it essential for companies to employ individuals who can successfully take an innovation to market,” said Hamid Noori, director and chair professor of the Laurier EMTM. “The Laurier EMTM program provides tech leaders with those skills, which not only benefits their
company, but also makes them more valuable to the organization.” Vice-presidents, directors and managers from companies such as Christie Digital, Research In Motion and Desire2Learn were among the graduates from the first EMTM graduating class. Clint Carter, senior director of global manufacturing at Christie Digital, is in charge of operations at Christie’s offices in both Waterloo and China. For him, the EMTM gave him the opportunity to critically examine the different factors affecting workers employees across both cultures. “The value to me is that the program has opened up my mind to many new ideas and solutions to the often unique challenges and issues by an innovative technology organization,” said Carter. “The program was filled with very relevant content and I have been able to immediately apply many of the lessons learned in the EMTM to the workplace.” Fellow EMTM student Jessica McElhone, director of market intelligence at Desire2Learn, was attracted to the EMTM because of its relevance to the tech sector and
to her role specifically. As part of her program, she researched how companies can derive insight from content posted to social media channels. “The EMTM made the in-class topics relevant to the technology space, which is always changing,” said McElhone. “The program provides employees with a tool set that helps drive innovation, and ultimately makes an organization a stronger player in the tech sector.” EMTM classes are held on alternating weekends in Waterloo and are divided into three terms. The program is a combination of in-class learning, online sessions, integrated sessions and major research papers. Students also have access to executive coaching from faculty. Laurier’s School of Business & Economics also offers a highly customized MBA program for full-time and part-time students, including co-op options, an MBA/ CMA designation and an MBA/ CFA program. It offers international study opportunities, an entrepreneurship stream, and the option of doing a major research paper or self-directed study.
University a finalist for Passion Capitalist Award Laurier has been named a finalist for the 2012 Canada’s Passion Capitalists awards, which recognize organizations that have achieved long-term success through their energy, intensity and sustainability. Canada’s Passion Capitalists program was created by Knightsbridge Human Capital Solutions in partnership with the Business News Network (BNN), Global Governance Advisors, Torys LLP and the National Post. Based on the ideas in the book Passion Capital by Paul Alofs, the awards recognize organizations that achieve enduring success by creating “passion capital” — the energy, intensity, and sustainability needed to generate superior results. Laurier’s institutional proposition — “inspiring lives of leadership and purpose” — reflects the culture, vision and distinct sense of community that have guided the university for more than 100 years. Laurier’s ongoing efforts to inspire lives of leadership and purpose are reflected in all aspects of the university’s activities, from our
focus on integrated and engaged learning to staff and faculty development programs such as our Employee Success Factors. “We are delighted to be a finalist in Canada’s Passion Capitalists awards,” said Laurier President and ViceChancellor Max Blouw. “Laurier is renowned for our vibrant school spirit, our highly engaged student body, and the deep commitment of our faculty and staff to student development and success. It is an honour to be recognized for our passion and our dedication to excellence in higher education.” Representatives from the university will attend a reception Nov. 5 in Toronto where Laurier will receive a certificate of recognition. Winners of the award will be announced Nov. 9 on BNN and profiled Nov. 10 in the National Post.
Nomination sought for honorary degrees and Order of Wilfrid Laurier University Wilfrid Laurier University invites members of the Laurier community and the general public to nominate worthy individuals for honorary degrees and for membership in the Order of Wilfrid Laurier University. Honorary degrees are awarded honoris causa, “for the sake of the honour,” and are intended to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions locally, nationally, and globally, such as: • Leading academics and public intellectuals across the disciplines • Exemplary leaders in all fields Outstanding artists and performers
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Community builders and philanthropists The Order of Wilfrid Laurier University honours worthy recipients who have a record of exemplary and distinguished service to the university. All members of the university, including those who represent the university in the community, are eligible for nomination. This includes current or former faculty, staff, students, volunteers, and friends of the university. Neither the honorary degrees nor the Order of Wilfrid Laurier University will be awarded posthumously or in absentia. Nominations are reviewed by Laurier’s Senate Honorary Degree
Committee, which, subject to the approval of Senate Executive Committee, makes recommendations to Dr. Max Blouw, president and vice-chancellor of the university and chair of the Senate Honorary Degree Committee. Nominations are reviewed at various times throughout the year. But to have a nomination reviewed at the next meeting of the Senate Honorary Degree Committee, please submit it by Friday, Nov. 16. Nomination forms can be found online at www.wlu.ca/senate or by contacting the secretary of the committee, Shara Spencer, at sspencer@wlu.ca or 519-884-0710 ext. 2047.
Veritas Café has grand opening
Name: Kelly Brown Job Title: Program Officer, School of International Policy and Governance Book Title: The Best Laid Plans Author: Terry Fallis
I’m actually re-reading this book — it’s one of the few that I still enjoy every time. The author’s characters and portrayal of Canadian politics are so colourful and so much fun, it’s one of those things that brightens my mood each time I read it! He grabs the essence of Canadians in that we like to poke fun at ourselves and not get too serious, but we really want to make the world a better place while we’re doing it.
What are you watching? Name: Tiffany Bradley Job Title: Marketing and Publications Officer, Communications, Public Affairs and Marketing TV Show: The Amazing Race On-Air: Sundays, 8 p.m. on CTV
Laurier President Max Blouw, left, helps cut the ribbon to officially open the Veritas Café on the Waterloo campus.
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I’m usually a Netflix kind of girl, but the one show on cable that I can’t live without is The Amazing Race. Now in its 21st season, the show features teams of two completing difficult or disgusting tasks in a race around the world. Almost as interesting as the exotic landscapes are the personalities of the team members and how they interact with one another in stressful situations. This is cable TV at its best!
november 2012 Inside
Photos: Olivia Rutt
Hundreds attend annual Brantford Homecoming
The Brantford campus celebrated its fourth annual Homecoming at the end of October. Clockwise, from left: Students get into the purple and gold spirit with The Hawk; the puck drop at the varsity hockey game and fans cheer on the players at the Brantford Civic Centre. To read more about Brantford’s festivities, visit www.laurieralumni.ca.
people at Laurier
New appointments: Melissa Burke, diversity and equity leader coordinator (Brantford campus). Sorina Ciucurita, finance assistant, Office of Research Services (Waterloo campus). Claudia Crespo, senior buyer, procurement, Procurement Services (Waterloo campus). Marc Demarest, building
For a complete list of appointments visit www.wlu.ca/hr
mechanic I, Physical Resources (Waterloo campus).
AODA officer, Diversity and Equity (Waterloo campus).
Olim Donoiyorov, custodian, Physical Resources (Waterloo campus).
Ein Longmore, custodian, Physical Resources (Waterloo campus).
Tamara Hundt, administrative assistant, Teaching Support Services (Waterloo campus).
Dan Predojevic, coordinator: energy management, Physical Resources (Waterloo campus).
Jordan Jocius, communications officer (Alumni), Development (Waterloo campus).
Heather Redden-Greer, coordinator: external programs, Faculty of Education (Waterloo campus).
Lynn Kane, employment equity/
Kayla Reiner, production cook, Food Services (Waterloo campus). Cynthia Robinson, counsellor (Brantford campus). Scott Smith, Techshop computer repair technician/S.A, Bookstore (Waterloo campus). Tina Tellis, admissions specialist, Recuitment & Admission (Waterloo campus). Danny Wilson, special constable, (Brantford campus)
Changes in staff appointments: Donna Braund, financial analyst, Financial Resources (Waterloo campus). Nicholas Dinka, library communications officer, Library (Waterloo campus). Maggie Duncan, information specialist – data entry, Registrar’s Office (Waterloo campus).
Jessie Eulenberg, career resource specialist, Career Development Centre (Waterloo campus). Dana Gillett, acting manager, Diversity and Equity (Waterloo campus). Heather Landells, counsellor/ psychotherapist (Residence Life), Counselling Services (Waterloo campus). Stefanie MacKinnon, service desk analyst, ICT (Waterloo campus). Cathy Mahler, administrative assistant (Dean of Arts), Faculty of Arts (Waterloo campus). Dawn Matthew, information specialist – data entry, Registrar’s Office (Waterloo campus). Robert Pupols, technical support specialist, ITS (Waterloo campus). Erin Riggin, educational planner, Accessible Learning Centre (Waterloo campus). Deborah Russell, graduate admissions & records officer, Faculty of Graduate and Post-Doctoral Studies (Waterloo campus). Mayura Stratopoulos, administrative assistant, Global Studies (Waterloo campus).
Retirements: Blanka Burgos, computer support specialist I, Library (Waterloo campus). Effective Jan. 1, 2013
Professors receive prestigious medal Richard D. Christy, associate professor of sociology, and Inge Ford, a part-time instructor in the Faculty of Education, have been awarded Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals. The medal acknowledges individuals who have made significant contributions to their community, the nation or made achievements abroad. Christy began teaching at age 27 in the summer school program at Laurier, and during his career has taught various courses in sociology, including the introduction of the first Canadian course in the Sociology of Men and Masculinities. Christy served 11 years in municipal politics as the alderman for Centre Ward, the mayor of the City of Kitchener and as a counsellor for the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. As mayor he concentrated on community development and downtown revitalization. In 2002, he founded the award-winning initiative WaterCanLaurier, and has encouraged sociology students to raise more than $24,000 to provide international aid for water wells, sanitation facilities, and health education for school children in Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia. Inge Ford has been a teacher and education administrator for more than 30 years. In addition to her post at Laurier, she was the principal of W.T. Townshend Public School in Kitchener. 5
Inside
November 2012
coffee with a co-worker
A look at staff and faculty across campus
Name: Julia Hendry Title: Archives and Special Collections Librarian Where you can find her: Laurier Library, Room 122, Waterloo campus
Photo: Sandra Muir
Drink of choice: I’m addicted to chai tea lattes from Starbucks.
Librarian Julia Hendry enjoys going through the Archives and Special Collections’ rare book collection.
How long have you been at Laurier? I came to Laurier three years ago. I spent 10 years as an archivist at the University of Illinois in Chicago, but I was about to have my second child and wanted to move closer to family. The Laurier role came up at a crazy time. I was three weeks away from my due date when I applied and I came for an interview about two weeks after having my baby. We weren’t really actively looking, but it seemed like a great opportunity. What is your typical workday like? One of the greatest things about my job is that it is so varied. On any given day I could be helping researchers, scanning rare materials to make them available online, negotiating with donors for donations of records or books, or I could
be in a supply closet on campus packing up and looking over historic records that have been there for 30 years. Have you ever made an unusual discovery? My favourite find to date was a small sealed white envelope in the donated records of a prominent Chicago politician. When we carefully opened the envelope, it was full of $100 bills — $5,000 in total. The envelope was buried at the bottom of a file from 1973, and had clearly been mislaid. I had read about the thick white envelopes that circulated around Chicago City Hall during that period, but it was pretty shocking to have one drop into my lap. It was later returned to the donor’s widow.
coming Events
Heard on Twitter Check out what the Laurier community has been tweeting about at twitter.com/lauriernews. Laurier also has official sites on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LaurierNow and YouTube at www. youtube.com/LaurierVideo.
@WLUAthletics #WLUHawks and Swimming team are please to welcome @TeamBartoch to our coaching staff! @CDNOlympicTeam @LaurierNews Oct. 17 @ConestogaC A new partnership btwn @ ConestogaC & Laurier Brantford (@LaurierNews) means more educational opportunities for students ow.ly/ewIab (http://t.co/IQF0BG9p ) Oct. 16 @LaurierNews We need to talk about numbers – blog post by @OntarioResearch features #Laurier’s LittleCounters workshop: bit.ly/UVusG7 ( http://t.co/ nGL3B3Jc ) Oct. 12 @LaurierLibrary Oct. 11 Microfiche may be old school. But the new digital microform scanner on the 3rd floor of the #Laurier Library scans straight to flash drive. Oct. 11
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What do you like to do in your spare time? Every chance we get, my family and I take off to one of our summer cottages. My family has a cottage in Muskoka, and my husband’s family has a cottage in northestern Pennsylvania. Having two young
boys also keeps me very busy. But just this past year I joined the Laurel Creek Citizen’s Working Group, which is interested in conservation of the Laurel Creek watershed. I like it because it’s hands-on. I enjoy planting along the banks of the Grand River, and even put on hip-waders in the fall to help with a stream clean up. What do you like most about working at Laurier? When I came here from the University of Illinois, which is quite a bit larger, I found it refreshing how easy it was to find other people to work with and how willing people are to collaborate. People are happy to talk to you, and it is a nice change from a really big university. By Sandra Muir
For a complete list of events visit www.wlu.ca/events
Maleta Stories by Marissa Largo When: Until Dec. 8 Where: Robert Langen Art Gallery, Waterloo campus Cost: Free This installation explores the growing hybridity of communities and the diasporic identity that is formed through global migration. Through stop motion animation and a participatory installation, Largo invites the public to share their own stories of how they came to be in Canada. 6th Annual Emerging Models of Holistic Healing Practices Conference When: Nov. 13 – 14 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Where: Faculty of Social Work, Kitchener location Cost: Free Presentations by Aboriginal Field of Study Graduate students, keynote speeches and refreshments. The Human Face: Some Thoughts When: Nov. 14 Noon – 1 p.m. Where: Kitchener Public Library, Forest Heights Branch Cost: Free Don Morgenson, from Laurier’s Department of Psychology, will lead this lecture, part of a series that focuses on curent affairs and topics from arts to politics. Music at Noon When: Nov. 15
What is something people might not know about the Archives and Special Collections? We have a very interesting rare book collection. If I have extra time, one of the things I really enjoy doing is looking through the book collection. We have volumes dating back to the 15th century. We also have a significant collection of records related to environmental conservation in Canada, as well as the records of the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
Noon – 1 p.m. Where: Maureen Forrester Recital Hall, Waterloo campus Cost: Free Bring your lunch and enjoy music by The Jason White Trio Laurier Brantford Teaching and Learning Community of Practice When: Nov. 19 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Where: SCJ 214, Brantford campus Cost: Free Join this forum for faculty, academic staff and others to share experiences and best practices. Writing Circle When: Nov. 20 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Where: Veritas Cafe Cost: Free Join fellow faculty and educators to share experiences and best practices about developing and integrating writing assignments into the learning environment. Soup & Frybread Tuesdays When: Nov. 20 Noon – 2 p.m. Where: Aboriginal Student Centre, 187 Albert St., Waterloo campus Cost: Free Stop in for delicious soup and tasty frybread, including vegan/ vegetarian options. Stress Less Fun Fair When: Nov. 21 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: Research and Academic Centre lobby, Brantford campus Cost: Free This bi-annual fair highlights how students can cope and manage stress. It features tasty treats, therapy dogs and massage.
Gordon Greene, from Laurier’s Faculty of Music, will lead this lecture, part of a series that focuses on curent affairs and topics from arts to politics.
Economic Outlook 2012 When: Nov. 21 6 p.m. Where: Communitech Media Hub, Kitchener Cost: TBD
Laurier Brantford Teaching Day 2012 When: Dec. 4 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Where: Registration at Carnegie Building Foyer Cost: Free for Laurier participants/$30 for external guests
The Great Church Schism: 1378 – 1417 When: Nov. 14 Noon – 1 p.m. Where: Kitchener Public Library, Forest Heights Branch Cost: Free
Relive being a student again through the lens of an educator. Participate in a “real-life” classroom. When “class” is over, engage in dialogue and ask questions about what you experienced and observed.
In the media “We have to talk about numbers the way we talk about nouns. Children with a head start on math maintain that advantage throughout school.” – Joanne Lee, associate professor of psychology. From “We Need to Talk About Numbers,” a blog post published by Research Matters on Oct. 9, 2012. Author Patchen Barss, reflects on attending a LittleCounters workshop run by Lee and Professor Donna Kotsopoulos. Laurier community members are frequently featured in the local and national media. To see more coverage, visit www.wlu.ca/Laurierin thenews, and find out about our Experts at Laurier program, visit www.wlu.ca/experts.
november 2012 Inside research file
Studying the effects of incarceration on women Shoshana Pollack uses traditional and equine therapy to study barriers women face on the outside By Mallory O’Brien The idyllic setting of a countryside horse barn and the barren, isolated interior of a prison are two spaces that are worlds apart. But Shoshana Pollack is all about breaking down barriers. A clinical social worker and a professor in Laurier’s Faculty of Social Work since 2000, Pollack’s recent research involves studying the effects of equine therapy on formerly-incarcerated women, and bringing a group of students into a local prison for class. Pollack has spent the last two decades researching incarcerated women, including women’s pathways to lawbreaking and Canada’s correctional response to women. She was a therapist at the former Kingston Prison for Women before performing doctoral research at the Grand Valley Institution for Women. Her most recent SSHRCfunded study was on women’s experiences after prison. In a national study that involved 86 women, Pollack researched how a 1990s prison reform affected women’s lived experiences. The Canadian federal government closed the Kingston Prison for Women and opened up five new regional prisons. The policy guiding these prisons was based on concepts such as women’s centredness, empowerment and Aboriginal healing. “This was a radical departure, policy-wise, to the approaches of imprisoning women,” says Pollack. “I wanted to get a sense of: Was there any difference? What was it like to live under that regime? Did it make any difference post-incarceration in terms of how women got back into communities?” Pollack discovered that because the whole point of prison is incapacitation, punishment and exclusion, it’s very hard for women to be empowered while in the prison system. “We have to rethink how we punish, and how we punish crimes women commit, which are often different from crimes men commit,” says Pollack. Despite the reform, formally incarcerated women are still facing barriers while reintegrating into society, including barriers to education, which is why Pollack was keen to bring a program to Canada that partners institutions of higher learning with correctional systems. Founded in 1997 in the United States, the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program helps incarcerated men and women get a start in the post-secondary educational system. When program coordinator Simone Davis moved to Canada, she emailed Pollack inquiring about bringing the program north of
Shoshana Pollack (back row, third from left) and the first graduating class of Laurier’s Inside-Out Program.
the border. “I have a long history with the women’s correctional world in Canada, and it felt very much like a logical extension of the work I do and the commitments I have to that particular community,” says Pollack. Pollack and Davis worked together and brought InsideOut to Laurier, and to Canada, in fall 2011. Pollack taught her regular theory course, “Diversity, Marginalization and Oppression,” to 17 students at the Grand Valley Institute for Women — half were graduate students from the Faculty of Social Work and half were incarcerated students from the prison. “One of the key features of an Inside-Out course is the idea that we’re breaking down barriers between people — it’s two groups of students who are not normally given the opportunity to engage intellectually with one another,” says Pollack. “The walls of a prison are not only there to keep people in, but also to keep
Pollack with horse Red.
us out, so this is really unique opportunity for all of us to be involved.” The program has been so successful that Laurier has received a grant from the Hallman Foundation to develop and deliver the training program required for Inside-Out
communities? Do they continue post-secondary education? What effect did the course have on their sense of selves as learners? There’’s not a lot of research on this.” In addition to Pollack’s academic work, she also has a private practice as a clinical social worker, where she performs more
Community in Guelph, which sees a number of women from the federal system on parole for in-patient treatment. Six women came to the barn for a twelve-session therapy program, designed to address a number of issues common to women working through addiction, including trust, boundaries, grief, trauma, relationship building and communication. Pollack studied the impact of the therapy by observing the sessions and conducting post-session interviews. Sessions would consist of an activity that would require connecting with a horse to complete a goal, such as an obstacle course. Objects in the course represented different aspects of each woman’s addiction, which they would need to bring the horses to. “It might sound easy, but horses don’t move unless they want to move — they are thousands of pounds,” says Pollack. “They will only move if you’re centred, if you’re clear on where you’re going and if you’re communicating in a very direct and conscious way, and often we’re not. “Often we want to do something but our bodies say something else. Or we think we want to do something, but we’re not listening to the voice inside
“ People perceive horses as coming to them without judgement, without an agenda. ”
instructors, which would allow traditional psychotherapy — or the program to expand in Canada “talk” therapy — in addition to (Pollack had to do her training in equine facilitated psychotherapy, the United States). Training will which uses the natural sensibegin at Laurier next summer. tivities of horses to mirror back “The environment makes a clients’ emotions. really good experiential learning “Horses are always giving you opportunity for students to learn feedback about whatever you’re about power, difference, diversity bringing to them because they and criminal justice, from and respond to your heart rate, your with the people who are experibody language, your smell….” says encing many of those things,” Pollack. “Whatever responses says Pollack. they have often gives us some Pollack plans on researching information about what we’re the impact this kind of learning bringing to the relationship in has on both groups of students. ways we may not have access to She says students and social through verbally talking about it.” workers are often discouraged While this sounds worlds away from working on a peer level with from researching the prison people because they are in the system, Pollack says the two role of professional helper. This aren’t as separate as one might isn’t the case with the Inside-Out think. After she was trained model — students aren’t acting as in equine psychotherapy, she helpers, they are simply studying decided she wanted to research with other classmates. its impact. “And who did I decide I wanted “I’m interested in seeing the to research the impact on? effects of that kind of equality on Formally-incarcerated women, students’ professional identities, who were in treatment for addicand what impact does it have on tions,” she says. inside students? Does it make Pollack partnered with a difference when they get out? Stonehenge Therapeutic Do they feel less excluded from
of us that says I don’t really want to do it. The horses feel that little voice.” For example, if a participant was feeling agitated but trying to cover it up, or was unable to acknowledge her feelings, the horse would mirror that agitation by walking away from her. However, if she directly acknowledged her feelings of agitation or found a way to calm herself down, the horse would sense the authenticity and the congruency of the mind-body connection and would return to be connected with her. “People perceive horses as coming to them without judgment, without an agenda,” says Pollack. “This made it a lot easier for the women to accept the feedback from the horses than it might be from a councellor, probation officer or psychologist. Learning about what they bring to relationships is one thing the horses offered them, and in a really powerful way; I always just tell people they just have to come out and see it in action.” 7
Inside
November 2012
in the classroom
Native peoples in
Canadian history Instructor: Gary Warrick Class: HI344 – Native Peoples of Eastern Canada, Laurier Brantford
This course explores a wide array of topics such as ancient Aboriginal Canada, fur trade, encounters with Christianity, destruction of the Beothuk, government policies for First Nations, Native activism and cultural reclamation. To engage students, Associate Professor of Contemporary Studies and Indigenous Studies Gary Warrick uses films and film clips, some of which feature the academics (i.e. historians and archaeologists) who wrote or are talked about in the books and articles that students are required to read for the course. “By teaching this course, it is my hope that the students gain a deeper understanding of the important role played by Indigenous peoples in Canadian history and that history can be written using not only documents, but also oral accounts and material evidence from the past,” he says. “Indigenous voices must be incorporated into any telling of the Canadian story.” By Mallory O’Brien
Photo: Simon Wilson
Description: A history of Aboriginal peoples (status and non-status “Indians,” Inuit and Métis) in Eastern Canada, from the 10th century to the present.
Professor Gary Warrick stresses the importance of Indiginous voices in the telling of Canadian history.
Photo: Tomasz Adamski
David Suzuki and Jeff Rubin visit Laurier on Eco-Tour
Environmentalist David Suzuki, left, playfully spars with economist Jeff Rubin. The duo recently visited Laurier’s Waterloo campus on their Eco-Tour, and spoke about the importance of learning to live within nature’s boundaries and what sustainability means for our economy. The event was hosted by CTV Provincewide’s Daiene Vernile.
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