Inside
WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY
Waterloo | Brantford | Kitchener | Toronto
Photo: Adam Gagnon
MARCH 2014
The women’s varsity hockey team celebrates after defeating the Queen’s Gaels to win it’s 11th OUA championship title. The team advanced to the CIS championship, which started March 13 in New Brunswick.
‘There’s no health without mental health’ Laurier works to break the stigma of mental illness and support university community By Justin Fauteux In recent years, mental health issues have become a prevalent part of popular discourse, particularly at universities. Through initiatives like the Jack Project, started in honour of a Queen’s University student who committed suicide, and Bell’s Let’s Talk campaign, a topic that was once chronically ignored or misunderstood is beginning to get some much-needed attention. At Laurier, students, staff and faculty have made significant strides in not only reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness, but also improving the way the university supports people experiencing mental health issues. “There’s no health without mental health,” said Adrienne Luft, mental health/student support coordinator at Laurier. “I think it’s a huge priority at Laurier. We want to help our students become strong and healthy leaders, and we want to support our staff and faculty to be well and healthy.”
When Luft started in her role at the university in 2012, Laurier became one of the first universities in Canada to create such a position. She helped implement a $40,000 grant the university received from the Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund, working with campus groups such as The Mental Health Education Group and Burst Your Bubble to institute a number of mental health support measures and generate discussion on the subject at Laurier. In the spring, Luft and the Dean of Students Office will team up with Laurier’s Human Resources and Safety, Health, Environment and Risk Management departments to offer “mental health first aid” training to a group of faculty and staff members from a variety of areas at the university. The training program will give 12 faculty and staff a better ability to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness, and increased knowledge about how to support someone experiencing a mental health issue. The 12
participants will then be able to offer mental health first-aid training within their respective departments. “I think this program demonstrates the commitment Laurier has to making changes when it comes to mental health on our campuses,” said Luft. “There are lots of caring members of the Laurier community who, given their roles as professors or administrative staff, may be able to recognize when someone is in distress. It doesn’t always have to fall to mental health professionals. The more people we have talking about mental health, the better.” Even without formal training, helping someone who seems to be struggling with mental illness can be as simple as having a conversation. Luft recalls a student she worked with who was encouraged to seek help after a professor noticed the student had been missing classes and asked if everything was ok. “That professor didn’t need to diagnose a mental illness, they just needed
Mental health resources at Laurier Counselling Services Scheduled and walk-in appointments available Monday to Friday. Located on the second floor of the Student Services Building, Waterloo campus. Health Services Open Monday to Friday. Located on the second floor of the Student Services Building, Waterloo campus. Brantford Wellness Centre Open Monday to Friday. Located on the second floor of the Student Centre, Brantford campus. Offers psychiatrist appointments, personal counselling and physical-health services. Burst Your Bubble and The Mental Health Education Group Student groups on both campuses that break down mental illness stigmas. Delton Glebe Centre Holistic counselling facility run by the Seminary that serves both the Laurier and external community. Faculty/Staff Dance Parties Faculty and staff gather in the Turret over the lunch hour for a quick stress reliever. The next dance party is scheduled for April 24. Student Life Line Service offered by the Students’ Union that provides 24/7 support for students.
Mental health see page 8
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Kandice Baptiste tours U.S. educational institutions as a citizen diplomat.
Meet Melissa Ireland, Aboriginal support coordinator and staff/ faculty dance-party co-creator.
Bob Sharpe incorporates walking into his teaching as a form of active learning
Inside
MARCH 2014
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Working together for a sustainable future The broader public sector in Ontario is experiencing significant financial challenges. Universities are not exempt from the need to enact fundamental change. In fact, for the post-secondary sector, we must rethink what it takes to achieve a sustainable system of high-quality education and focused excellence in research in an era of reduced funding and constrained revenues. Ontario’s current financial challenges have been brewing since the global economic downturn of 2008. Six years later, the provincial government is still wrestling with a large deficit — estimated at $11.7-billion — while dealing with a
sluggish economy that continues to restrict revenues. The Drummond Commission on the Reform of Ontario’s Public Services painted a sobering picture in 2012 that remains valid today: “Ontario faces more severe economic and fiscal challenges than most Ontarians realize. We can no longer assume a resumption of Ontario’s traditional strong economic growth and the continued prosperity on which the province has built its public services. Nor can we count on steady, dependable revenue growth to finance government programs.” Since publication of this report, the Ontario government has put
additional constraints on publicsector funding and has communicated its clear expectation that all public institutions must do more to control costs and find greater operating efficiencies. Recent revisions to the funding framework for universities has reduced revenue from tuition and operating grants by about three to four per cent, while costs associated with wages and benefits (which comprise nearly 80 per cent of university operating budgets) are rising at a rate of five to eight per cent annually. In addition, pension obligations continue to eat into operating budgets as public and privatesector employers struggle to pay deficiency costs for plans that are still struggling to recover from the 2008 decline in global markets and a period of sustained low interest rates. In Laurier’s case, our current pension-plan deficit of $87 million is expected to rise to over $120 million in 2014. The university is required to address this deficit, with annual contributions of close to $30 million, representing about 10 per cent of our operating budget or 18-20 per cent of payroll. In addition, the liability associated
with post-retirement benefits has climbed from $28 million in 2004 to over $90 million in 2013, significantly impacting the university’s ability to direct new resources to academic and student needs. Simply put, cost growth is outpacing revenue growth — a situation that is not sustainable. As a result, the university is implementing a two per cent budget reduction in 2014-15, with the expectation of additional cuts in each of the next two years. It is important to point out that Laurier is not alone; many of our sister institutions are experiencing the same pressures. But it is also important to note that universities in other regions have been doing more to contain spending and enact efficiencies than Laurier; we have relied on rapid growth to cover annual cost increases. It is time to fundamentally reconsider how we operate — and how, in this era of reduced funding and constrained revenues, we will continue to offer a high quality educational experience to our students. We have made a good start with our Integrated Planning and Resource Management (IPRM) initiative. This community-driven
work will do much to identify our strengths and priorities. It will also yield recommendations for a more effective budget process, one that is more suited to the size, structure and aspirations of our university today. But in addition, there will be the need for ongoing innovation, for improved efficiencies, for greater flexibility and co-operation in how we address our pension challenges, our expectations around compensation growth, and the delivery of services. Change is never easy, but the Laurier community has a long tradition of coming together to overcome challenges and to adapt to change. We will need to embrace that tradition in the coming months and years, working together in a spirit of trust and goodwill to continue laying the foundation for a sustainable future.
Max Blouw President and Vice-Chancellor
Connecting Haitian and Canadian school principles By Mallory O’Brien Wilfrid Laurier University and BlackBerry are working together to support education advancement in Haiti, one of the world’s poorest countries, through Laurier’s Digital Mentoring Project. Steve Sider, an assistant professor in Laurier’s Faculty of Education and former school principal, started the project in 2011 to connect Haitian and Canadian school principals in a professional learning community. The initial pilot project involved 10 Haitian and Canadian principals. Based on the successful development of the project, BlackBerry recently donated 150 smartphones and 20 tablet devices to the project, bringing its donation to nearly 200 devices to date. As well, Rob McBride, a BlackBerry director and Laurier alumnus, has
traveled with Sider to Haiti to that the foundation of any country provide training support on how has got to be education,” said Sider. BlackBerry devices can be used “A population that can read and to facilitate communication and write, and consider, debate and resource sharing. analyze, is going to be a stronger Sider has been providing profesnation; this starts with equipping sional development to education school principals so they can be leaders in different regions of Haiti effective leaders in their schools since 2003. Initially, there was and communities.” limited follow-up with principals Sider visits Haiti two to three between training sessions, but then, times a year. He is working with realizing he could harness wireless a research team of Haitian and connectivity in Haiti, he started the Canadian educators to study Digital Mentoring Project. Using the behaviours of the students, smartphones, Haitian principals teachers and school adminiscan access support for educational trators who use the devices to resources, curriculum development better understand their needs for and communication strategies. additional, similar projects. The The smartphones also provide a team is currently exploring the chance for school principals within development of online learning Haiti to support and connect with systems that will allow teachers one another. and principals from across Haiti to “No one knows what the future of access educational resources. any country is, but it seems to me The results of the research will
InsideLaurier is published by Communications, Public Affairs & Marketing (CPAM) Wilfrid Laurier University 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3C5
InsideLaurier Volume 8, Number 6, March 2014 Editor: Stacey Morrison Contributors: Mieke Barette, Lori Chalmers Morrison, Kevin Crowley, Elin Edwards, Justin Fauteux, Jamie Howieson, Kevin Klein, Sandra Muir, Mallory O’Brien Printed on recycled paper
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be released in numerous journal and book publications in 2014, and both the Haiti Digital Mentoring Program and the research study will be presented at the Comparative and International Education Society conference — the largest international conference of its kind — in March.
Sider, along with a team that includes staff from BlackBerry, the Ontario Ministry of Education, local school boards and education students from Laurier’s Faculty of Education, will be in Haiti in May, 2014 as part of the development of the Haiti Digital Mentoring Project.
Send us your news, events & stories Email: insidelaurier@wlu.ca Deadline for submissions: March 17, 2014 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.
Available online at www.wlu.ca/publicaffairs.
April
Next issue of Inside April 2014
MARCH 2014 Inside NEWS
What’s new and notable at Laurier
Second Brantford building certified LEED silver The Laurier Brantford Research and Academic Centre (RAC) East building has been awarded LEED Silver certification by the Canada Green Building Council. The RAC West building was certified LEED Silver in March 2013. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a third-party certification program and an internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. The RAC East building has been designed to consume 35 per cent less energy than a comparable industry standard building. Sustainable features of the RAC East building include: low-flow water fixtures; high-efficiency glass; no-irrigation vegetation; natural day lighting with super energy efficient light fixtures; bike storage; elimination of refrigerant coolant
HCFCs; regional and recycled materials; reduced parking and hard surfaces; solar reflecting roof; and construction waste diversion. The RAC East building received all 34 of the certification points that were targeted, while the West building received all 35 certification points.
Call for entries: Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction Wilfrid Laurier University is seeking submissions for the 2014 Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction, a $10,000 literary award that recognizes excellence in Canadian creative non-fiction. Designed to encourage new Canadian talent, the award is open to authors who have published a first or second book with a Canadian locale and/or significance. The 2014 award is open to works published in the 2013 calendar year and distinguished by
The RAC East building on Laurier’s Brantford campus.
first-hand research, well-crafted interpretive writing and a creative use of language or approach to the subject matter. Entries must be received by Tuesday, April 1, 2014 to be considered. To obtain an entry form and a complete list of submission guidelines, please visit www.wlu.ca/staebleraward. The shortlist and winner will be announced in the summer. The author will be presented with the award and make appearances at Laurier’s Waterloo and Brantford campuses in the fall.
A 42-member strategic research plan taskforce spent a year conducting research and consulting with more than 300 stakeholders, including Laurier faculty and external research partners. An electronic summary document is available through a link on the Office of Research Services’ home page: www.wlu.ca/ research.
Laurier releases strategic research plan Laurier renewed its commitment to research with the release of its 2014-2019 strategic research plan, “Commitment to the Future.” The plan describes Laurier’s innovative research approach: its interdisciplinary collaborations, a longstanding history of engagement with its communities, and five thematic clusters of excellence, which include environment; governance and policy; health and well being; culture and society; and economics, markets and management. The plan also provides a strategy for growth and improvement around four key goals: enhancing research culture, enriching graduate and postdoctoral support, expanding external research funding, and extending research infrastructure.
Professor awarded 3M National Teaching Fellowship
Nominations open for Employee Achievement Awards Nominations are now being accepted for the 2014 Employee Achievement Awards. The awards are founded on the Employee Success Factors, and recognze and reward significant contributions by faculty and staff in the following categories: • President’s Award (Individual and Team) • Individual Employee Success Factor Awards • Multi-Campus Champion Award Staff, faculty and students are welcome and encouraged to submit nominations. The submission deadline is May 2, 2014. For more information and to download nomination forms, visit www.wlu.ca/achievementawards.
Staff member’s Roll up the Rim campaign makes local news Cec Joyal, a development officer at Laurier, is once again collecting winning Roll up the Rim tabs to distribute to people experiencing homelessness as part of Kitchener-Waterloo’s Out of the Cold program. This year’s edition of the Roll up the Rim contest may have only started on Feb. 17, but Joyal’s efforts are already receiving plenty of attention from local media. Joyal has been featured by CTV Kitchener, CBC K-W, CKWR and in The Waterloo Region Record. Last year Joyal collected nearly 600 winning tabs for the homeless. This year her goal is to hit 1,000. To contribute, bring your winning tabs to the drop box at International News on Laurier’s Waterloo campus or directly to Joyal’s office in Alumni Hall, either in person or through interoffice mail. On the Brantford campus, tabs can be sent to Alumni Relations and Development Officer Beth dela Rosa in the SC Johnson Building, Room 102. For more information, contact Cec Joyal at cjoyal@wlu.ca or 519-884-0710 ext. 3864.
Celebrating global awareness
By Mallory O’Brien Carol B. Duncan, associate professor and chair of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Department of Religion and Culture, is the recipient of a prestigious 2014 3M National Teaching Fellowship. The award, widely regarded as the top teaching honour in Canada, recognizes excellence in the classroom and educational leadership. “I am thrilled that Carol has been invited to join the 3M Teaching Fellowship,” said Pat Rogers, associate vice-president: teaching and learning. “Carol is a supreme example of the professor who challenges and supports her students to achieve their best, and through her extraordinary powers of leadership and her gentle approach she transforms the lives of students and colleagues alike.” Duncan started in Laurier’s Department of Religion and Culture 17 years ago, and since that time has developed 25 courses for the classroom, including “Religion and Culture of the African Diaspora” and “Religion and Social Change.” She is internationally recognized for her research in Caribbean religions and migration in transnational
contexts, in addition to her work on the African diaspora. Duncan has won a host of teaching awards and fellowships. At Laurier, Duncan won the Faculty of Arts Teaching Scholar Award in 2004, the university-wide Award for Teaching Excellence in 2004, and the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations’ teaching award in 2006. Duncan was invited to serve as a research fellow in the Women’s Studies in Religion Program, as well as a visiting associate professor, at Harvard Divinity School in 2006-2007. “I feel honoured and privileged to have such significant recognition,” said Duncan. “I see it as a formal ‘thank you’ and an invitation to join in conversation about teaching and learning with
colleagues from across the country. It also highlights the importance of teaching at Laurier. One doesn’t teach in a vacuum: you are part of a community of educators. Laurier has been a good place to be a teacher as well as a scholar.” Duncan focuses on a storytelling methodology for designing and teaching courses, which involves including multiple voices and perspectives. A strong supporter of the arts, Duncan is interested in incorporating oral history, literary narratives and performing arts, including dance and music, in her courses. “Getting students attuned to multiple voices on a particular theme or topic builds a multi-layered story for the course,” said Duncan. “This clarifies central themes for students, and brings arts and culture into the classroom — hopefully demystifying related works for students.” This is the fourth time that a Laurier professor has been awarded a 3M Fellowship. Michael Moore from the Department of English and Film Studies, now retired, was honoured in 1993; Michel Desjardins from the Department of Religion and Culture in 2001; and Mercedes Rowinsky-Geurts from the Department of Languages and Literatures in 2008.
Photos: Kevin Klein, Mallory O’Brien
Carol B. Duncan fourth professor to win prize
Staff member TK Azaglo participates as a “human book” in the Human Library event on the Waterloo campus, top, and Ben Yang, Laurier’s director of global engagement, kicks off Global Engagement Week on Laurier’s Brantford campus last month.
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Inside
MARCH 2014
Author Elizabeth Hay to visit Laurier in March Award-winning Canadian author Elizabeth Hay will be visiting Laurier’s Waterloo and Brantford campuses March 17-21 as the university’s Visiting Writer for 2014. A number of free, public events are taking place throughout her visit: Panel Discussion March 17, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the foyer of the Centre for Cold Regions and Water Science (Waterloo campus). About the event: a panel discussion with Northern themes around literature, science and music. Panelists include Elizabeth Hay, the Edna Staebler Laurier Writer-in-Residence Colleen Murphy, Laurier President and Vice-Chancellor Max Blouw, and Laurier Vice-President: Academic and Provost Deb MacLatchy. Contact Emily Middleton at rsvp@ wlu.ca or 519-884-0710 ext. 3139 to register for this event.
“Unofficial History” Lecture March 19, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in room SCJ127 (Brantford campus). About the event: a lecture, reading and Q&A featuring Hay’s latest book, Alone in the Classroom.
as the erosion of the environment, human trafficking, the sex trade and gendered violence. In addition to her public
appearances, Hay will be visiting classes, speaking with the Laurier Reads Elizabeth Hay reading group, and hosting a creative
writing workshop for students. For further information about all events, visit wlu.ca/VisitingWriter.
“Sounds and Voices” Lecture March 20, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Maureen Forrester Recital Hall (Waterloo campus). About the event: a lecture, reading and Q&A featuring Hay’s Giller Prize-winning novel, Late Nights on Air. “The World and the Writer: On Conscious Engagement” Author Conversation March 21, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Hawk’s Nest (Waterloo campus). About the event: a dialogue between Hay and Murphy as they discuss the passions and the pitfalls of engaging with history and politics in their writing lives, and how different genres can address a wide variety of subjects. Their works explore issues such
Photo: Mallory O’Brien
By Mallory O’Brien
Shannon Maguire, left, and Emily Jones discuss Late Nights on Air at a recent meeting of the the Laurier Reads group.
Curling team wins seventh OUA title By Jamie Howieson The Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks women’s curling team won its seventh Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Championship in February after defeating the Carleton Ravens 4-3 in the gold medal match. The Hawks, who went undefeated through round-robin and playoff play, continued their dominance of the Ontario conference, capturing their third banner in the last four years. “It feels very nice,” said skip Carly Howard. “Last year we had a struggle at the beginning [of the year] so we wanted to come back strong. Having a lot of people who came before us that did so well, we really wanted to live up to that and have that moment as well and we did.” “It feels really incredible,” added lead Cheryl Kreviazuk, who captured her third OUA Championship as a member of the Golden Hawks. “I’m just so proud
of my team. We worked really hard all season so it was definitely worth it and to go undefeated all week was absolutely incredible.” In what was a very competitive gold medal match, the Hawks and Ravens traded singles and blanks through the first five ends as Laurier held a 2-1 lead. In the sixth end, Carleton skip Jamie Sinclair made an excellent triple takeout, which helped give the Ravens a 3-2 lead. Trailing by one, Howard and her rink looked to score a pair to re-take the lead. But the Hawks’ skip was light on her first rock, holding Laurier to just a single point, which gave Carleton the hammer going to the final end tied at three. The game would come down to both skips’ final shots. After leaving the Carleton skip a tough shot for the win, Sinclair was unable to navigate Laurier’s high guard, giving the Hawks a steal of one and the championship. “I was really excited that I made
my shot,” said Howard on the final end. “I thought, ‘She’s going to make this for the win’. I was going to come off the ice and just be happy that I made my last shot and that’s all I could have done. But right out of her hand she called tight and I thought that spot was straight, so I thought it would be fine but it hit the guard.” For Howard, vice Kerilynn Mathers, second Evangeline Fortier, Kreviazuk and alternate Chelsea Brandwood, the win puts the finishing touches on what has been a perfect 13-0 season in OUA play. The Golden Hawks will now advance to the CIS Championship hosted by the University of Regina from March 19 to 23. Laurier will be looking to repeat the success of former skips Hollie Nicol and Laura Crocker whose rinks captured back-to-back national titles for the Hawks in 2008 and 2009, and 2011 and 2012 respectively.
Name: Anne Ellis Job Title: Program Advisor, School of Business & Economics Book Title: The Book of Negroes Author: Lawrence Hill Published around the world with many different titles (The Book of Negroes, Someone Knows My Name and Aminata), this powerful novel has won numerous literary awards. It is a sweeping story about an 11-year old girl named Aminata, who was taken from her home in West Africa and forced into a lifetime of slavery. I found this story inspiring and moving. Aminata constantly faced adversity throughout her life, and yet continued to be courageous and positive. If you have a chance, I would highly recommend this book!
What are you listening to? Name: Karley Doucette Job Title: ESL Facilitator, Laurier English and Academic Foundation (LEAF), Brantford campus Album: Hello Hum Artist: Wintersleep
(l-r) Carly Howard, Kerilynn Mathers, Evangeline Fortier, Coach Maurice Wilson, Cheryl Kreviazuk and Chelsea Brandwood.
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About 10 years ago, I met four guys who were writing moody indie-rock songs and performing them to a small but ardent fan base in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Now, my friends have a Juno award and are prominent figures in Canada’s music industry. Lead singer Paul Murphy’s distinctive voice is haunting yet soothing, and his beautiful lyrics soar melodically over frenetic and roaring crescendos. If you’re a fan of complex tunes with lots of depth but also love a catchy foot-tapping beat, I’d recommend checking out a Wintersleep album.
MARCH 2014 Inside
Fostering education dialogues across borders Kandice Baptiste tours U.S. educational institutions as citizen diplomat By Mallory O’Brien Laurier’s Aboriginal student recruitment and retention officer, Kandice Baptiste, was one of five Canadians in the postsecondary education sector chosen to tour educational institutions in the United States through the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). The program is organized by the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. The five Canadian “emerging leaders” in education visited the U.S. from Jan. 20 to Feb. 7 to discuss many topics relevant to educators in both the U.S. and Canada, including distance learning and virtual education, continuing education, partnerships with the private sector, programs to meet the needs of students with disabilities, the role of the university in the community, campus life and alumni relations, and the role of research. “It was an extremely busy three weeks, but it was worth it to learn what the education landscape is in the Unites States and see how it compares to the work we do in Canada,” said Baptiste. “In general, the trip made me more PEOPLE AT LAURIER
aware of how education works and how much policy and advocacy is involved. I met amazing people doing exciting work, and talked about their successes and failures in higher education.” Some of the trip’s highlights for Baptiste included: • Meeting with the American Indian Studies program at University of California, Los Angeles, and United American Indian Involvement Inc. in Los Angeles to discuss community work. • Meeting with the Office of Community Engagement at Kennesaw State University in Atlanta to learn how they are creating a campus culture based on community involvement. • Visiting Clark Atlanta University, and learning about the history of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. • Visiting the Education is Freedom non-profit organization in Dallas, which runs outreach programs to underserved populations in urban high schools. “It was also really interesting to see the inclusion of Indigenous
students across the States, and how those programs and student visibility and awareness differed from state to state,” said Baptiste. At Kennesaw State University, for example, there is a Launchpad entrepreneurship program specifically for underserved groups such as Latin Americans and African Americans. “I would like to see something similar in Brantford,” she said.
In addition to networking with educators and their partners, the group had time to explore and learn about American culture through sightseeing and special events, including touring the Smithsonian museums in Washington; attending a Washington Capitals hockey game and a Western Michigan University basketball game; touring a Civil War museum in Atlanta; and
spending a day at Universal Studios in Los Angeles. “It was an incredible opportunity and I am grateful to have been selected,” said Baptiste. “I grew both personally and professionally, and I am excited to bring back what I learned and apply it here with my work and our students.” You can learn more about her experiences on her blog at kandicebaptiste.tumblr.com.
Kandice Baptiste in front of the White House in Washington, D.C., on one of the stops on her three-week tour of educational institutions across the United States.
For a complete list of appointments visit www.wlu.ca/hr
New appointments: Ifedayo Adebowale, junior systems analyst, ICT Solutions (Waterloo campus). Mike Boylan, coordinator, global engagement programming, Global Engagement (Waterloo campus). Cassandra Cbetkovic, coordinator, Math Assistance Centre, Learning Services (Waterloo campus). Samantha Cook, learning and OD administrator, Human Resources (Waterloo campus). Jaymie Dube, procurement analyst, Procurement (Waterloo campus).
Maeve Strathy, development officer, Annual Giving (Waterloo campus). Michael Tjahjadi, college transfer recruiter (Brantford campus). Meyling Treminio, custodian, Physical Resources (Waterloo campus). Chris Witmer, custodian, Physical Resources (Waterloo campus). Herbert Wong, network engineer, ITS (Waterloo campus).
Changes in staff appointments:
manager, Special Constable Service (Waterloo campus). Tamara Hundt, accounts payable and accounting administrator, Financial Resources (Waterloo campus). Scott Keller, intermediate administrative assistant III, Cooperative Education (Waterloo campus). Chris Kelly, senior project lead, ITS (Waterloo campus). Kevin Klein, associate director, communications and public affairs, CPAM (Brantford campus).
Bethany Ankucza, program advisor, SBE (Waterloo campus).
Cherie Mongeon, graduate admissions and records officer, FGPS (Waterloo campus).
Marc Laferriere, Brantford social work practicum coordinator, Faculty of Social Work (Brantford campus).
TK Azaglo, coordinator, global engagement, Laurier International (Waterloo campus).
Kerry Petter, account administrator, Business Office (Waterloo campus).
Kim McKee, alumni officer, regional and engagement, Development (Waterloo campus).
Silviu Besenyei, international recruitment and admissions coordinator, Recruitment and Admissions (Waterloo campus).
Paul Silva, custodian leadhand, Physical Resources (Waterloo campus).
James Popham, knowledge mobilization officer, Research Services (Waterloo campus). Karyn Racher, development officer, Development & Alumni Relations (Waterloo campus). Monique Riegling, custodian, Physical Resources (Waterloo campus). Richard Saur, custodian, Physical Resources (Waterloo campus).
Christopher Brunskill, senior institutional research analyst, Institutional Research (Waterloo campus).
Bonnie Voisine, intermediate administrative assistant, Residence (Waterloo campus).
Retirements:
Andres Diaz, manager, ICT projects, ICT Projects (Waterloo campus).
Carole Litwiller, program advisor (undergrad), SBE (Waterloo campus).
Chris Hancocks, manager, communications and support, Special Constable Service (Waterloo campus).
Patti Metzger, coordinator, circulation/user accounts, Library (Waterloo campus).
Tammy Horton Lee, acting
W. Michael Skelton, university librarian, Library (Waterloo campus).
Alumni, faculty represent Laurier at 2014 Juno Awards By Mieke Barette
released in October 2013. This is Kabango’s third nomination in the category, which he won in 2011 for his album TSOL. Meanwhile, noted concert pianist Janina Fialkowska, who received an honourary Doctor of Letters from Laurier in 2013, was nominated in the Classical Album of the Year: Solo or Ensemble category for her recording of Concerto Nos. 13 and 14 with The Chamber Players of Canada. The 2014 Juno Awards will be held in Winnipeg, MB with winners being announced throughout the week of March 24-30.
There is no shortage of Laurier connections among the recently announced 2014 Juno Award nominees. Laurier alumnus and faculty member Guy Few is featured as a trumpet soloist on the latest release by the Group of 27 Chamber Orchestra, the Canadian Concerto Project Volume One, which was nominated in the Classical Album, Large Ensemble or Soloist(s) with Large Ensemble Accompaniment category. However, Few (BMus ’86) isn’t the only Laurier connection to this nomination. A song on the album, Man Will Only Grieve if He Believes the Sun Stands Still, was composed by professor Glenn Buhr, while Laurier Musician-InResidence and Penderecki String Quartet violinist, Jeremy Bell performed as concertmaster for this recording project with the Group of 27. Laurier alumnus Shadrach “Shad” Kabango (BBA ’05) was also nominated for a Juno Award, making the shortlist in the Rap Recording of the Year category for his album Clockwise from top left: Glenn Buhr, Guy Few, Jeremy Bell, Shadrach “Shad” Kabango. Flying Colours, which was
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Inside
MARCH 2014
COFFEE WITH A CO-WORKER
A look at staff and faculty across campus
Name: Melissa Ireland Title: Aboriginal Support Coordinator Where you can find her: Aboriginal Student Centre, 187 Albert St., Waterloo campus.
Photo: Erin Almeida
Drink of choice: Earl Grey tea with vanilla soy milk.
When she’s not at work supporting Aboriginal students at Laurier, Melissa Ireland spends time with family and plays the hand drum.
How long have you been at Laurier? In January, I celebrated my 10-year anniversary at Laurier. Throughout the years, I’ve held various positions here, from starting off as a floater in the Dean of Arts office, to roles in the Faculty of Social Work, Teaching Support Services, and the Religion and Culture Department, to name just a few. In 2010, when my current position was posted, I knew it was a perfect fit for me and I have been here ever since. What is your typical workday like? It’s never the same day twice here, which is why I love my job! It’s a variety of holistic student support for all Aboriginal students, community building and working closely with the university community in terms of
events and programming. I’m also an active member of many committees on campus. What do you like to do in your spare time? I enjoy reading, cooking, spending time with friends and family (especially with my niece Keira and nephew Calvin), playing board games, and fishing and camping. I also enjoy singing and playing the hand drum. I made my own drum with deer hide and a cedar hoop. It’s a very sacred item to me and it’s a privilege to carry it in my bundle. I love sharing songs and learning new ones, which helps me learn Anishnabemowin (Ojibway language). Drumming keeps me grounded in my roots. In my teachings, our songs are medicine for the people and I’m so happy
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.
@PeterBraid – Feb. 24 Great to see the team from @LaurierNews at the Social Innovation forum on the Hill showcasing their excellent work. pic.twitter.com/RXuddkkBd ( http://t.co/RXuddkkBd ) @QuidditchSFU – Feb. 24 @LaurierNews We saw the segment on one of your students’ good deed, and it inspired us! youtube. com/watch?v=rBYMN… ( https://t.co/MjRUBvodt ) @RolyWebster – Feb. 21 So proud of my brother @curling_coach for @CCACurling capturing double gold! Love ya!! #followyourpassion @LaurierAlumni @LaurierNews @ozy – Feb. 1 Shohini Ghose - not backing down from a challenge, ever: ow.ly/tLwYJ ( http://t.co/ sYOxGpchER ) @LaurierNews @Yale @craignorriscbc – Feb. 1 Roll up the rim to give?! At :20, hear how a @LaurierNews woman’s using the iconic @TimHortons contest to help the homeless. @ CBCKW1 #kw
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that I carry songs that can help others. What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? I’m the co-creator of the Laurier Faculty and Staff Dance Party! Adrienne Luft and I were taking a compassionate fatigue workshop last fall and there was a little mid-afternoon dance break. Afterwards, we felt awesome and energized. We thought it would be a great way to meet others and dance stresses away at Laurier, and we were motivated to start our own monthly dance parties for faculty and staff in the Turret. What do you like most about working at Laurier? This is a hard question to answer, because
there are so many reasons why I like working at Laurier. One of them is doing something I believe in completely. I am a Mississauga Ojibway with heritage from Curve Lake First Nation, and having the opportunity to help and make a difference for all Aboriginal students is a great feeling. Laurier is a communityminded institution, with kind people, passionate colleagues and amazing students. Every day I get to create dynamic, engaging and lasting partnerships with a variety of constituents on and off campus. But what I love the most about my role is watching and working with our students, and making a difference in their lives. By Erin Almeida
For a complete list of events visit www.wlu.ca/events
Creative Native Workshop When: March 17 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Where: Aboriginal Student Centre, 187 Albert St., Waterloo Cost: Free Join Mitt Mondays and learn to bead, making leather mitts. No experience necessary. Spaces are limited. Contact Laurie Minor to reserve your space at lminor@wlu.ca. African American Activism Before the Civil War When: March 19 Noon – 1 p.m. Where: Kitchener Public Library, Forest Heights Branch Cost: Free Dana Weiner from Laurier’s History Department will lead this free noon-hour lecture. For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.kpl.org. Open Classroom Series GS231, Introduction to War and Conflit with Sara Matthews When: March 20 7 p.m. – 8:50 p.m. Where: N1002, Waterloo campus Cost: Free How often do you get a chance to sit in on a class of an academic colleague or strike up a conversation with a peer about teaching and learning? This series provides an opportunity for the Laurier community to experience being a student again from the perspective of an experienced educator.
Lunch and Learn The Face of Laurier: Working Together to Strengthen Our Brand When: March 25 Noon – 1 p.m. Where: R270, 202 Regina St., Waterloo campus Cost: Free Join Laurier’s Creative Services team to learn about the importance of a strong, consistent identity and how they can help ensure your unique pieces are successful and represent the face of Laurier. To register visit https:// web.wlu.ca/lauriertraining. Outstanding Women of Laurier Award Luncheon When: March 26 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Where: Waterloo Inn Conference Hotel, Waterloo Cost: Varies Join emcee Daiene Vernile, host of CTV’s Provincewide, and keynote speaker, Kelly Murumets, president of Tennis Canada, as Laurier celebrates its exceptional female student-athletes. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.laurierathletics.com/owl. THREADworks When: April 1 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Where: Aboriginal Student House, 111 Darling St., Brantford Cost: Free Learn to weave! All supplies are provided and an expert will be on site for questions and guidance.
Music at Noon When: April 3 Noon – 1 p.m. Where: Maureen Forrester Recital Hall, Waterloo campus Cost: Free Bring your lunch and enjoy the music of jazz pianist David Braid. Lunch and Learn Ramping Up Your Social Media Strategy When: April 25
Noon – 1 p.m. Where: R270, 202 Regina St., Waterloo campus Cost: Free Learn how to manage content and engage with your followers on Twitter. Presented by the social media team from CPAM. To register visit https://web.wlu.ca/ lauriertraining.
MARCH 2014 Inside RESEARCH FILE
Fairly dividing items with different perceived values Marc Kilgour’s algorithm helps avoid envy when dividing ‘indivisible’ items By Justin Fauteux Almost everyone has heard of a couple going through a rather messy divorce. Often, the cause of that unpleasantness is jealousy over who gets what when the couple’s property is divided. According to a recent paper authored by a team of researchers, including Marc Kilgour of Laurier’s Department of Mathematics, one way to avoid such disputes is to use a mathematical algorithm. In the paper, which was recently published in the prestigious Notices of the American Mathematical Society, Kilgour and his co-authors — Steven Brams of New York University and Christian Klamler of the University of Graz — outline a pair of algorithms that can be used to divide “indivisible” items between parties without causing envy, if it’s possible to do so. While things like land can be fairly divided by allocating each
party shares they value equally (like saying “I cut, you choose” when cutting a cake), things like cars, furniture, art or personal keepsakes cannot simply be divided equally because the items cannot be split, in addition to having different perceived values to each person. The researchers’ algorithms address this situation
of ranked items be analyzed by an independent third party, or computer, to determine whether the item can be assigned in a way that avoids envy. “It’s part of our procedure to avoid envy, which means feeling like the other person got more than you,” said Kilgour. “There are two criteria of fairness:
the parties have a good chance of finding a way to allocate the items so that each prefers the items they receive to the ones given to the other party. For example: John and Jill are trying to fairly allocate four items: their car, their couch, their boat and their dog. Their preferences for the four items are as follows,
other party’s (John prefers the car to the boat and the dog to the couch, while Jill prefers the boat to the dog and the couch to the car). Although envy-free allocations are not always possible, the second algorithm will produce such a solution whenever one is available. And while dividing property after a divorce or for an inheritance are the most obvious uses for the algorithms, Kilgour believes their use could go far beyond those two scenarios. “Any distribution of resources is allocation. If you own a timeshare John: car, boat, dog, couch; Jill: on a vacation property, you and boat, dog, couch, car. In the first the other owners have to divide step, John receives the car while up the vacation season,” he said. Jill receives the boat. But then “Any time an organization has conflict arises, because the next resources and lots of places to item both parties desire is the dog. apply them, they’ll generally want According to the second to do it in a way that fairly reflects algorithm, John would receive the the sub-units’ goals, as well as the dog and Jill the couch. This is the organization’s. But what is fair, only way to create an envy-free and how do you achieve it? That situation because both parties kind of issue makes this an area of would prefer their items to the study that could have many uses.”
“ It’s part of our procedure to avoid envy, which means feeling like the other person got more than you. ” by asking each party to rank the items from most preferred to least preferred, without giving additional information. Both algorithms proceed by assigning each party the items at the top of their preference rankings. If the same item is ranked highest by both parties, the first algorithm does not assign it, while the second algorithm dictates that each party’s list
proportionality, which means you feel like you got at least your share of the total, and envy-freeness, which means that you’d rather have your items than the other person’s. If there are only two people, these criteria are exactly the same.” By ranking items, and using the second algorithm to resolve conflicts when both parties have the same preference for an item,
Studying the convergence of memory and history Peter Farrugia researches the different perspectives of First World War museums
With 2014 marking the centenary of the First World War, Peter Farrugia, associate professor of history and contemporary studies at Laurier’s Brantford campus, is looking at how the “Great War,” is depicted in two of the world’s most important museums: the Imperial War Museum in London, England, and the Historial de la Grande Guerre in Péronne, France. Both museums share the common goal of interpreting the war for contemporary generations that are becoming farther and farther removed from its realities. Through innovative exhibits of artifacts, carefully preserved archives and educational programs, both have helped the public to “remember” the First World War. Here the common task begins to diverge. The history of the museums themselves is quite different. The Imperial War Museum (IWM) was created during the war in 1917 as both museum and memorial. Subsequently, the mandate of the museum has expanded to include other wars in which Britain has fought, telling the stories from a national perspective. The Historial de la Grande Guerre was founded in 1992, specifically to commemorate France’s Great Patriotic War. Its mandate was to reach beyond the French experience to include the perspectives of both Britain and Germany, the two other main
countries involved in the First World War. Farrugia has focused his research so far on archival investigations in both museums. Looking at their creation, their evolving collections policies, and the themes they have chosen to concentrate on, he has discovered some basic differences in how the war is not only remembered, but represented by the two institutions. For example, in the early 1990s, the IWM created a famous exhibit that mimicked a First World War trench. In an attempt to recreate the “experience” of the trenches, visitors walked through the exhibit that replicated not only the cramped space and soundtrack of the trenches, but, to the dismay of many, the smell. In counterpoint to this experiential approach, the Historial
de la Grande Guerre adopted a museographical focus that sought to allow the objects to speak for themselves. It also emphasizes the commonality of suffering among the three main combatant states, France, Britain, and Germany, going so far as to present objects with trilingual explanations and analyses. As different as the approaches are, it is clear each museum is dedicated to finding ways to address the complex issues of the Great War in their exhibit spaces, acknowledging the current state of historical research while remaining accessible to members of the public. “It is in this context that it will become clear that both museums have been the location of many meetings between past and present, between memory and history, between generations
fiercely devoted to remembrance and generations characterized by forgetfulness, and between competing visions of what the First World War truly means,” said Farrugia. In school and through public ceremonies, we have been charged
with acknowledging the history of war, “lest we forget.” Farrugia’s research demonstrates concretely that what we remember and what our public institutions help us commemorate can be widely divergent as people seek to grasp the full import of the Great War.
Photo: Yannick Vernet
By Elin Edwards
The Historial de la Grande Guerre in France, above.
Many displays in London, England’s Imperial War Museum recreate the experience of war, offering a unique experience for visitors.
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Inside
MARCH 2014
IN THE CLASSROOM
Walking as a form of active learning and local literacy Instructor: Bob Sharpe Class: GEOGRAPHY 620 – Seminar in Human Geography Description: This seminar provides a broad survey of the interdisciplinary scope of human geography and investigates a wide range of human/society dynamics, theoretical positions and methodologies. In addition to weekly reading and discussion, the course includes written submissions, roundtable
conversations, guest speakers, fieldbased research, and a final research project.
manifestations of processes and issues that we read about in the scholarly literature.” For example, the adaptive reuse of brownfield sites, the regulation of public space, the oppressive forces of exploitation and the importance of urban design are some of the topics that “come alive” when observed in the field. For undergraduate students, Sharpe’s walking pedagogies involve carefully planned walks supported with associated reading
Sometimes the best learning occurs outside of the classroom. With this philosophy in mind, you can often find Associate Professor Bob Sharpe taking his geography students on walking tours around the city. “I try to find opportunities for walking whenever I teach,” he said. “The purpose is to discover and experience first-hand the local
materials, structured activities and reflective writings. “One objective is to get students out of the classroom and into the community to identify important landmarks, routes and places to generally improve their local literacy. Walking can also enhance their way-finding skills and their sense of independent discovery. “Another objective is to hone skills of observation across the whole range of personal sensory responses — sight, sound, smell,
texture and taste.” Geography aside, Sharpe sees walking as the ultimate form of active learning. “It engenders a sociability that leads to a bond between the students and to the instructor. A walk can only be a partly structured experience, such that quite often serendipitous learning moments occur that are tremendously rewarding and just plain fun.” ~ Mallory O’Brien
Bob Sharpe and graduate students walk in downtown Kitchener for a seminar in human geography, left. Sharpe, who also enjpys exploring on bike, on Laurier’s Waterloo campus, right.
initiative will integrate Counselling Services, Health Services, and the to connect with the student and mental health/student support ask, ‘How are you doing?’” said Luft. role, in addition to other wellness Both Luft and Leanne Holland services. Brown, dean of students on “The Wellness Centre really Laurier’s Waterloo campus, embodies a circle of care encourage staff and faculty who philosophy,” said Holland Brown. come across a student struggling “We are excited about being able to with a mental health issue to maximize a coordinated approach consult with resources on campus to student wellness. We don’t want such as Counselling Services or to our students to have to navigate use the Dean of Students Offices multiple entry points to wellness in Waterloo and Brantford as a support if we can better facilitate starting point. the process by improving the To make seeking help more way we are organized and work comfortable and accessible together.” to students, Laurier plans to While mental health issues may open a Wellness Centre on the seem more prevalent for students Waterloo campus in the fall of because the typical age of mental 2014. Following a model similar illness onset is 15-24, Holland to the existing Wellness Centre Brown realizes that faculty and staff on the Brantford campus, the new may have experiences of their own,
and can offer valuable perspective and support. “We know these situations are not isolated to students, and we have faculty and staff who are similarly experiencing personal situations related to mental health,” she said, adding the university’s mental health task force will be looking at mental wellness supports for students, faculty and staff when it resumes in the spring. “We need to be mindful of the values we espouse as an entire community,” said Holland Brown. “Whether that’s about students or faculty or staff, we need to be thinking about what our supports look like and how easily they are accessed. That’s just part of the ethos of Laurier —we care deeply about everyone who makes up our community.”
Photo: Mallory O’Brien
Mental health continued
Staff dance off stress at the February staff/faculty lunchtime dance party in the Turret.
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Students volunteer in El Salvador Group builds houses for families in need during reading week By Kevin Klein For a group of 21 Laurier students, catching up on their schoolwork wasn’t their only priority during reading week. Instead, they helped build two homes in El Salvador as part of a trip with Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village Program. For Marshal Rodrigues from Laurier’s Brantford campus, one of the team leads, this was her second Habitat trip. “This was something I always wanted to do, and I have been lucky to have been able to participate twice,” she said. “I’m really into philanthropy, and when I saw an email last year from Laurier International about this opportunity, I ran with it.” In 2013, three students from the Brantford campus and six students from Waterloo were joined by Robert Feagan, associate professor in Contemporary Studies on the Brantford campus, for the initial trip organized by Laurier International and Habitat for Humanity. The students participated in one home-build outside the city of San Miguel.
This year, eight Brantford students and 13 Waterloo students, along with Feagan, departed on Feb. 16, and returned a week later. They helped build two homes for families in need in El Salvador. “I got involved partly because of my community development interests and its ties with international possibilities like this,” said Feagan. “I’m also doing research with the students on their experiences in taking on these kinds of international activities.” These trips are organized through the Global Village Program, whereby individuals or groups travel together to one of the Habitat affiliate partners in more than 100 countries around the world. Each participant has his or her own reason for volunteering, but for Rodrigues, the outcome is unifying. “We all walk away with a single view and a sense of accomplishment,” she said. “The gratitude was truly overwhelming and it gets you hooked. It completely changed my perspective and what I want to do with my life.”