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Laurier delegation travels to China to explore educational partnerships and opportunities.
Wilfrid Laurier University • January 2009 VOL. 1 | NO. 1 | APRIL 7,2008
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CAMPUS | COMMUNITY | CONNECTIONS Meet The Hawk, Laurier’s energetic mascot, motivator and sports fan.
Budget cuts needed to address serious financial challenges
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Dr. Max Blouw. “In fact, the financial challenges facing Laurier and other universities Laurier plans to implement are extremely serious. The significant cuts to its operating budget to deal with the unprec- situation demands that we take action, but we are mindful that edented financial challenges a strategic approach is required affecting the university sector so that Laurier can emerge on a as a result of the global strong academic and financial economic downturn. footing once the economy Universities continue to be bounces back.” hard hit by a combination of on its latest financial issues that include a dramatic | | COMMUNITY CAMPUS CONNECTIONSBased modelling assumptions, Laurier drop in the value of pension must reduce its operating and endowment funds, and budget by nearly 16 percent — an ongoing struggle to secure about $31 million — over the sufficient funding from the next three years. To achieve province for annual operating this target, the university is and deferred-maintenance planning budget reductions costs. of 6.4 per cent in fiscal 2009-10, “Universities are not and depending on future immune to the severe diffifinancial directions, 7.7 percent culties rippling through the in 2010-11, and 1.8 percent in global economy,” said Laurier 2011-12. president and vice-chancellor By Kevin Crowley
“We must proceed with budget planning based on the best information we have,” said Blouw. “Unfortunately, that information suggests that there will be no quick relief from government and no significant improvement in market conditions in the year ahead.” A major expense driving the cutbacks involves regulations that requireVOL. universities 1 | NO. to make special payments to top up their shrinking pension funds. In Laurier’s case, its pension fund has lost more than 20 percent of its value in the past year. Another concern is the structural deficits that Ontario universities face each year. The provincial government has BUDGET see page 2
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Staff and faculty celebrate the holiday season with a turkey lunch with all the trimmings.
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President Dr. Max Blouw says difficult decisions will have to be made.
Media calls on political Laurier science dean appointed science professors for vice-president: academic and provost expert insight vice-president: academic and provost is the academic leader of the university, working closely Dr. Deborah MacLatchy likes to with the president, the other keep busy. vice-presidents, the deans and In addition to her current faculty to develop academic duties as dean of Laurier’s programming and to advance the Faculty of Science, she runs a university’s strategic plans. research lab, teaches a fourthMacLatchy’s appointment year course in endocrinology, received the unanimous and does weight training or endorsement of the university aerobics most days of the week. “The research and teaching help Senate and Board of Governors. “I am very excited by this new keep me connected to students challenge,” says MacLatchy. and faculty,” she says. “And “Laurier has a well-deserved aerobics is my stress reliever.” reputation for academic excelMacLatchy’s ability to manage lence and I look forward to a variety of demanding roles will working with my colleagues come in handy when she starts to strengthen and expand that her new job as Laurier’s vicereputation.” president: academic and provost A distinguished biologist on March 1. with considerable experience in “I am delighted that Dr. research, teaching and adminMacLatchy has accepted this istration, MacLatchy joined appointment,” says Laurier Laurier as dean of science in July president Dr. Max Blouw. “The 2007. She spent the previous 13 vice-president: academic and years at the University of New provost plays a vital role Brunswick, Saint John, where she within the university, and Dr. served in several senior adminMacLatchy brings a tremendous istrative roles, including dean amount of experience, talent and of science, applied science and energy to the job.” engineering, and director of the Reporting to the president, the By Kevin Crowley
By Lori Chalmers Morrison Canada’s federal Parliament has been suspended until Jan. 26, but Laurier’s political science professors are being kept busy amid the flurry of media interest in the political wrangling in Ottawa. Dean of arts and associate professor Dr. David Docherty’s long-standing relationship with the Canadian Broadcast Corporation has led to appearances on CBC’s The National and interviews for newspapers across the country on topics such as the Liberal leadership and the opposition’s attempt to form a coalition. “Often the media calls political scientists to get a more objective analysis of background issues or possible scenarios of upcoming events,” says Docherty. “But when we get calls about the more unusual aspects of politics such as prorogation, it is a lot of fun. We get to comment about
the kinds of things we research and the immediate impact it has on politics.” But long before Prime Minister Stephen Harper stepped out of Rideau Hall from his December meeting with Governor General Michaelle Jean, the media were calling on Laurier’s political science department. The university’s political science professors were sought-after resources in the weeks leading up to October’s federal election and during the American presidential race. Associate professor Dr. Barry Kay is known for his research on Canadian voting behaviour, what the polls mean and how they are changing. Kay has been quoted in media stories across Canada, even serving as a frequent guest on a Regina radio station. He writes a regular political column for the Waterloo Region Record and has appeared POLITICAL SCIENCE see page 2
Dr. Deborah MacLatchy
university’s international office. A native of Nova Scotia, MacLatchy earned a BSc at Acadia University and a PhD at the University of Manitoba. Her research, which she continues at Laurier, involves ecotoxicology and comparative endocrinology, with a specific focus on contaminant effects on endocrine (hormone) systems in fish. MACLATCHY see page 3
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January 2009
president’s message
Difficult times ahead As you are all aware, the financial health of Laurier has been seriously challenged by the worldwide financial turmoil that is having deep effects in all sectors of the economy, including universities. The biggest impact to Laurier, but not the only one, is through loss of value in our pension fund — a decline of about $60 million by the start of 2009. Another area of concern is the ongoing struggle to secure sufficient and stable funding from the province for annual operating and deferredmaintenance costs. The financial challenges we face are compounded by uncertainty about government policy responses. In Ontario, for instance, hospital beds have been closed, a signal that government is ready to
exercise difficult priority decisions that will have negative impacts on fundamental public services. Our budget modelling for 2009 through 2011 must reflect prudent planning based on the assumption that there will be no quick relief from government and no significant short-term improvement in market conditions. While it is anticipated that markets will indeed recover, based on what we know today the recovery is not expected to be fast enough, or dramatic enough, to substantially mitigate the issues we face. Based on our assumptions and in light of all the information currently available to us, the university must cut approximately 16 percent — or $31 million — from its base operating budget over the next three years (6.4
percent in 2009-10; and depending on future financial directions, an additional 7.7 percent in 2010-11 and a further additional 1.8 percent in 2011-12). Given that some areas of the budget cannot be reduced, however, budget reduction targets for individual areas of the institution may in fact be higher than the 6.4, 7.7 and 1.8 percent global figures, depending on what savings can be realized centrally. The cuts will demand difficult decisions, adjustments by everyone to new and significantly more challenging realities, and, unless things change significantly, job losses. What’s more, it is possible that even while we are making cutbacks to the operating side of our budgets, the government may fund
POLITICAL SCIENCE continued
and the national market in a way “It’s not surprising the media ate these reports up when we that we may not be able to do released them.” otherwise.” on CTV’s Mike Duffy Live. In the lead up to the federal The Laurier Institute for “It’s about popularizing election in October, LISPOP’s the Study of Public Opinion information from the academic election website, complete and Policy (LISPOP) has also sphere,” says Kay. “It’s a matter with maps, graphs and a seatgenerated national media of being keen on politics and projection calculator, became the attention. Last fall the National being able to provide quotable go-to resource for journalists and Post ran a six-part series on the quotes and pithy statements.” the public, with 160,000 hits on its institute’s analysis of Ipsos Reid Docherty and Kay each seat-projection feature. 2006 Election Day Survey data appeared in more than 30 Laurier’s link to Canadian (donated to Laurier in 2007), print media stories between politics — specifically coaliwhich showed the correlation September and mid-December tions — goes beyond providing between voting behaviour and and, combined, fielded over 200 expertise on the political hot topic marital status, religion, sexual media calls. Docherty joined the of the day. orientation and even gun CTV southwestern Ontario news ownership. The studies generated desk on the night of the federal “Laurier’s former chancellor media interest across the country. election while Kay worked with (The Hon. Bob Rae) was front and “The Ipsos Reid survey data Global TV. centre in the recent effort to topple we have at Laurier allows us to “Each election, the media the Conservative government and profile voter subgroups that no remembers you from the one have a coalition take its place,” one has ever studied before,” says says Docherty. “Back in 1979, Rae before,” says Kay. “It helps to get Steven Brown, director of LISPOP. played a role in the fall of Joe Laurier into the Toronto market Clark’s minority government, and, of course, in 1985 Rae was the chief architect of the Ontario NDP-Liberal accord.” After defeating the PC party in ’85, Liberal leader (and later Ontario premier) David Peterson visited the lieutenant-governor, who made the constitutional decision that an Opposition party had the right to govern. “And who was the lieutenantgovernor at the time?” asks Docherty with a grin. “None other than Laurier’s former chancellor, The Hon. John Black Aird.” Dean of arts Dr. David Docherty, left, chats with CBC news anchor Peter Mansbridge.
InsideLaurier is published by The Department of Public Affairs Wilfrid Laurier University 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3C5
InsideLaurier Volume 1, Number 8, January 2009 Editor: Stacey Morrison Assistant Editor: Lori Chalmers Morrison Design: Erin Steed Contributors: Tomasz Adamski, Kevin Crowley, Scott Harris, Mallory O’Brien, Dean Palmer, Barry Ries, Mike Whitehouse
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capital projects designed to help stimulate the Ontario economy. Laurier is not alone in this complex and uncertain situation. All universities in Ontario are subject to the same forces, and each university will be struggling with similar decisions. Over the coming weeks, all faculty, staff and students will have opportunities to engage in discussion as decisions are made regarding cuts. The university will share information about the specific operational results of the budget cutbacks once that information is available, likely near the end of the fiscal year in late April. There is no doubt that making the difficult decisions that are necessary during this period will test the strength of our community. I am deeply aware of
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suggested that it will no longer provide the one-time-only year-end funding that has offset these deficits in the past. The Council of Ontario Universities continues to lobby government for pension relief and for a more stable and sufficient funding system. Laurier has been communicating its financial challenges to staff, faculty and students through townhall meetings, presentations and communications on the web. Budget managers have been directed
how difficult this situation is for our entire community, but I am confident that everyone will work cooperatively to make strategic decisions that will enable Laurier to be as strong as possible when economic conditions return to a more favorable state.
Dr. Max Blouw President and Vice-Chancellor
to identify ways to achieve cutback targets in their areas. These plans will be reviewed by the university’s president’s group, which will make a final budget proposal to the Board of Governors this spring prior to the start of the next fiscal year on May 1. Given that salaries and benefits comprise the bulk of the university’s operating expenses, job losses are a possibility. The university will share information about specific budget cutbacks once the information is available.
Correction: On page three of the December issue of InsideLaurier, Jeanie Baetz’s degree should have been a Bachelor of Music Therapy.
Send us your news, events & stories
Email: insidelaurier@wlu.ca Deadline for submissions: January 19
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: insidelaurier@wlu.ca InsideLaurier (circ. 2,000) is published nine times a year by the Department of Public Affairs. Opinions expressed in InsideLaurier do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or the university’s administration.
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February 2009 CAMPUS | COMMUNITY | CONNECTIONS
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January 2009 NEWS
More than 240 attend gala for Arthur Stephen
vice-president: university advancement, a position he held for more than a decade. Numerous speakers, including Laurier president Dr. Max Blouw and Board of Governors chair Beverly Harris, praised Stephen for his contributions to Laurier. “I know my experience of Wilfrid Laurier University has been rich in no small measure because of Arthur’s accomplishments and the successes of the people with whom he has worked,” said Dr. Terry Levesque, a long-time friend and chair of Laurier’s Economics Department. Proceeds from the gala will help create a scholarship in Military History in Stephen’s name.
Arthur Stephen and wife Yvonne get piped into the ballroom by Dr. David Docherty.
Laurier’s pool stays open on day-to-day basis In light of substantial fund-raising efforts by the swimming communities in Kitchener-Waterloo and the apparent interest of municipal councils in offering support, Laurier will keep its 50-metre swimming pool open on a day-today basis as long as it remains safe. The university had previously announced that its aging pool, which has been used by community aquatic groups for 35 years, would close permanently Aug. 31, 2008, due to the need for significant and costly repairs. In response to community concern, the university extended the deadline to Dec. 31. “We are encouraged by the community’s commitment to aquatics programs and we will keep the Laurier pool open for as long as we can to give the community and local municipalities more time to raise all of the funds necessary to repair the facility,” said Laurier president Dr. Max Blouw. However, Blouw stressed that the pool’s status will be subject to daily evaluation until the funds are secured to make significant repairs. “Safety is our first priority,” he said. “The pool is currently safe to operate, but we will continually monitor the situation. If necessary, we will close the pool on short notice.” Laurier will continue its contribution by paying operating costs
Test your stock market skills Risk your virtual money in the Staff and Faculty Stock Market Competition By Mallory O’Brien Buy low. Sell high. Repeat. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a risk-taking short seller or don’t know what short selling is, playing the stock market is easy and fun at Laurier. Since 2003, every two years Laurier’s staff and faculty have been testing their skills with stocks in the Laurier Staff and Faculty Stock Market Competition. The free competition, which runs from March 2 to 27, is a great way to learn how the stock market works without risking your own money. “Participants get four weeks to spend $100,000 of virtual money,”
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What’s new and notable at Laurier
Photo: Tomasz Adamski
More than 240 friends and colleagues of Arthur Stephen filled the ballroom at the Waterloo Inn last month to pay tribute to a man who has had a significant and positive impact on Laurier over the course of a remarkable 35-year career. Stephen retired at the end of December from his post as special advisor to the president and acting vice-president: university advancement. He first came to Laurier as a student in 1969, joined the university as an employee in 1973, and went on to serve in numerous senior administrative posts, including
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says Lisa Fanjoy, manager of online learning and continuing studies at Laurier. “You can take risks you would never take in the real world or you can simply learn the basics of trading.” Almost 100 part-time and full-time staff and faculty participated in the 2007 competition and won daily, weekly and grand prizes. Anyone who makes a trade is automatically entered for that day’s random draw. Weekly and grand prizes are awarded to participants with the highest level of acquired capital. In 2007, staff member Barry Ries won the competition with a final portfolio value of $108,744.05 Fanjoy has run all of Laurier’s stock market competitions for the last 10 years. She says she is happy to talk to anyone about how to get started. “I know the stock market can be intimidating, especially right now with the financial crisis, but there’s no better way to figure out how something works than doing it — and then how much you win depends on how savvy you are.”
So, what is short selling anyway? “Short selling is basically selling a stock you don’t own yet because you expect the value of the stock to go down. When it does go down, you buy the stock for less money and bank the rest,” explains Fanjoy. If you expect the value of a stock to increase, you might want to consider margin buying, which is getting your broker — or in this case the virtual broker — to loan you money so you can buy more stocks, increasing your profit. Of course, you will have to pay back the loan with interest, so you better be pretty sure the value of the stock is going to go up. “There are lots of online resources through the competition website that can help you as you go,” says Fanjoy. “Everyone should give it a try; it’s a fun, free and friendly competition. Even if you lose it all you could still win some great prizes!” Registration begins in February. For details, visit http://invest. wlu.ca/laurier or contact Lisa Fanjoy at lfanjoy@wlu.ca.
— about $300,000 per year — to run the pool if the estimated $2.2 million in capital funds for the interim repairs is forthcoming.
Laurier business grads earn top marks in accounting exams Laurier business graduates have again excelled in professional accountancy exams, earning the highest mark in Canada on the Certified Management Accounting (CMA) case examination for the second year in a row and capturing the Ontario gold medal on the Canadian Chartered Accountants’ Uniform Evaluation (UFE). Elias Zeekeh, a recent graduate of Laurier’s combined MBA/ CMA program, earned 99 percent on the 2008 CMA exam, the highest mark in Canada. Laurier graduates of the MBA/ CMA program have achieved a 100 percent pass rate on both the 2007 and 2008 CMA exams. Anna Nowak, a 2007 graduate of Laurier’s Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program, won the Ontario gold medal for the highest mark in the province on the 2008 Canadian Chartered Accountants’ UFE exam. Nowak, who now works with Deloitte & Touche in Kitchener, Ontario,
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MacLatchy has authored or co-authored more than 80 articles and publications, and has served on the boards of a number of professional organizations, including a term as president of the Canadian Society of Zoologists. As dean of science at Laurier, MacLatchy has contributed to many initiatives, including the establishment of a BSc in Health Sciences, the launch of the Laurier Institute for Water Science, and the advancement of the university’s research agenda. MacLatchy is taking on the role of vice-president: academic and provost at a time when Ontario universities, including Laurier, are facing serious financial challenges. “The academic mission is at the core of the university,” she says. “With the current financial situation, the challenge is: How
is the seventh Laurier graduate to earn the UFE Ontario gold medal since 1993. Since that time, Laurier’s School of Business & Economics accounting graduates have achieved gold more often than any other Canadian university at both the national and provincial level.
RIM’s Jim Balsillie named Outstanding Business Leader Jim Balsillie, co-chief executive officer of Waterloo-based Research In Motion (RIM), has been named Laurier’s Outstanding Business Leader for 2008. The award will be presented at a private luncheon on Jan. 22 at the Waterloo Inn. Balsillie was selected for this prestigious award in recognition of his significant achievements in the global mobile communications industry, including the unparalleled success of BlackBerry, as well as his far-reaching community involvement. The Laurier Outstanding Business Leader Award has been presented annually since 1987 by the Laurier School of Business & Economics.
Jim Balsillie
do we continue to deliver quality education to students and motivate and engage faculty and staff?” Laurier also has some important decisions to make about future growth. As vicepresident: academic and provost, MacLatchy will play a key role in developing the strategic plans needed to operationalize Laurier’s new vision statement, and she will assist with the continued investigation into the possibility of opening a Laurier campus in Milton. “Laurier has many strengths, and it does certain things very well,” she says. “We have some challenges ahead and some important choices to make, but we also have opportunities.” Dr. Peter Tiidus, chair of the Kinesiology & Physical Education Department, will assume the role of acting dean of the Faculty of Science.
This month in history: what happened in January? January 1, 1959: Fidel Castro seized power in Cuba after leading a revolution that drove out dictator Fulgencio Batista. January 11, 1990: The U.S. Surgeon General declared cigarettes may be hazardous to health, the first such government report. January 21, 1993: A reception is held at Laurier to celebrate the naming of the Robert Langen Art Gallery. Langen, a professor emeritus who retired in 1985, is credited with establishing the Fine Arts program and building the university’s art collection. January 28, 1986: The U.S. space shuttle Challenger exploded 74 seconds into its flight, killing all aboard.
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January 2009
Laurier explores educational opportunities in Heilongjiang
Jilin
Inner Mongolia Liaoning
Xinjiang
Beijing Gansu
Tianjin Hebei Shanxi
Ningxia
Shandong
Qinghai Henan
Jiangsu
Shaanxi
Tibet
Anhui Hubei
Sichuan
Chongqing
Zhejiang Hunan
Jiangxi Fujian
Guizhou
Kunming Taiwan
Yunnan
After becoming the first Canadian university to establish an office in mainland China, Laurier continues to develop interests in the Far East By Barry Ries It’s a 13-hour, non-stop flight from Toronto to Beijing. That’s a long haul by any definition. It’s even longer when you disembark in Beijing, collect your luggage, and board a China Eastern Airlines plane for a three-hour flight to Kunming, in one of China’s southernmost provinces, Yunnan. By the end of the day — Oct. 14, 2008 to be exact — it was a very tired group of Laurier people who were met with flowers by cheerful students from Yunnan Normal University at the Kunming airport, and then taken on the university bus to their hotel. The Laurier party consisted of Peter Donahue (director of Laurier International), Dr. Paul Maxim (associate vicepresident: research), Dr. Bruce Arai (principal and acting vicepresident, Laurier Brantford), Bev Harris (chair of Laurier’s Board of Governors), Lise Pedersen (international student recruitment co-ordinator) and Barry Ries (editorial/communications officer in Research Services and staff rep on the Board of Governors). The purpose of our two-week trip was to meet with some of 4
Guangxi
Guangdong Hong Kong Macau
Hainan
player in southwest China, and it profile in the area. (Canadian university) to bite at our partner institutions, invesmade business sense to hire local the invitation extended by the tigate possible links with other “Our office has created a huge people (Nikita Zhu and Ruth institutions, and meet representa- Chongqing consulate and the amount of goodwill,” says Chen) to staff it.” tives of the Chongqing Municipal doors were thrown open,” says Donahue. “Everything is now Donahue. Education Commission and coming to us first.” Laurier is the first Canadian After meeting with extremely the Department of Education For example, Chongqing university to set up an office in enthusiastic representatives of Yunnan Province, among Technology and Business mainland China, and the only from area universities, the next others, to reinforce and develop Canadian university with a formal University, with 24,000 students, step was obvious: If Laurier was Laurier’s interests in China. is a fairly new institution. It was presence in southwest China. serious about having a presence For some of us, it was our first formed from an amalgamation Laurier’s office, located on the in China, southwest China was trip to China. It was Donahue’s of technical schools, and with its campus of Chongqing University the place to do it. fifth in four years. new status there is an enormous “really matters,” Shawn Steil, “The idea of an office in China “My first trip, in 2005, was to need for faculty upgrading Canada’s consul in Chongqing, came out of this,” says Donahue. explore options for Laurier in across all its disciplines. told the Laurier delegation. “Setting up a permanent office China,” he says. “There was “They are building capacity It matters not just to Laurier, would enable us to be a lead a feeling that something was to teach,” says Donahue. “Our but also helps to raise Canada’s happening in China and we weren’t part of it. We discovered that the east coast was sewn up” by universities from the U.S., Britain and Australia. Then Donahue met Peter Liao of the Canadian Consulate in Chongqing, a city of several million people in a larger municipality (the size of Austria) of the same name. Located abut 1,200 kilometres northwest of Hong Kong, it is home to 33 million people and 50 universities and colleges. Liao said local universities were approaching the consulate looking for Canadian partners, but so far without success. On his next trip to China, Donahue and Maxim went to Dr. Paul Maxim speaks at the 2008 Maple Leaf Cup English Language Competition in Kunming, China. Members of the Laurier Chongqing. “We were the first delegation were among the judges.
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Left: Bev Harris, Laurier Board of Governors chair, presents an engraved silver plate to Yunnan Normal University president Yang Lin to commemorate the university’s 70th anniversary. Peter Donahue, below left, director of Laurier International, with the staff of Laurier’s China office, Ruth Chen, centre, and Nikita Zhu.
professors have received foreign expert status” in areas such as supply chain management and social work. “For us,” he adds, “we can develop a partnership and study supply chain management in a developing context,” as Chongqing becomes a regional transportation hub. That’s just one example of how an exchange agreement can be developed. There are many models and lots of potential, as the October Laurier delegation learned. Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, gained fame in the Second World War as a destination for Allied fliers bringing in supplies from India over the Himalayas (commonly known as “Crossing the Hump”). Known as the City of Eternal Spring because of its temperate climate and 1,900-metre elevation, the city of three million boasts half a dozen colleges and universities. During a visit to Yunnan University of Finance and Economics (YUFE), which has 12,000 full-time students, YUFE vice-president Zhou Yue told the Laurier group that his university is trying to expand into international research. “Our goal is to make this university more international, (to benefit) this area and do more contribution to the world, to make our graduates more international, with more work experience internationally.” Yue said his university is interested in 3+1 programs (three years here, one year there) at the undergraduate level, and 2+1 programs at the master’s level. As with most Chinese universities, many courses at YUFE
are offered in English. At Yunnan Normal University in Kunming, Laurier’s visit coincided with a visit by venerated American journalist and author Seymour Topping, who covered the Chinese civil war for The Associated Press. He was accompanied by his Chineseborn wife, Audrey, daughter of the late Chester Ronning, Canada’s ambassador to China from 1945 to 1951, and a photojournalist who accompanied Nixon to China. Yunnan Normal University president Yang Lin says Topping’s 1972 book, Journey Between Two Chinas, is “one of the 25 most read books for scholars working on Chinese issues,” and it was clear that Seymour and Audrey Topping were the guests of honour at a ceremony to mark the establishment of a Canadian Studies Centre at the university. “We have much to learn from the Canadians and Wilfrid Laurier University,” Topping, a long-time Pulitzer Prize administrator, said at the unveiling of a plaque to mark the official opening of the centre. Donahue said at the event that Laurier can help develop Yunnan Normal’s capacity in Canadian Studies through exchanges of professors and students. The next day, the Laurier delegation left Kunming for Chongqing. Yunnan Normal University’s president Yang and two of his most senior administrators came to the hotel at 7 a.m. to see us off. Clearly, the Chinese are glad to have Laurier here. Chongqing was the wartime capital of China under Kuomintang leader Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. Located on the Yangtze River,
the city of Chongqing has a population of about five million, making it the seventh largest city by population in China. In 2007, the economic growth of the municipality of Chongqing was 15.6 percent, well ahead of the national average of 11.9 percent. Opportunities for Canadian business abound in Chongqing, according to Shawn Steil, the Canadian consul, particularly in clean energy, mining technology, management expertise and business services, health care and social security solutions. “There is a real hunger for education” because of China’s one-child policy, he adds. Chongqing has 57 universities and colleges, and the central government is pushing for stronger universities. The universities are now all
“
It’s the opportunity to partner with a country, to have a better understanding through partnerships ...
’’
comprehensive in nature, and local authorities are “not sure if that is the correct path,” says Yue Yong of the Chongqing Education Commission. “We are quite grateful to you (Laurier),” he adds. “You are coming to help us.” Chongqing University (CQU) has about 40,000 full-time students, including 2,500 studying for their doctorates. In a meeting with the Laurier delegation, CQU vice-president Chen Demin says, “I hope our co-operation can be strengthened by this visit. It is the first time we
have hosted another university’s providing services and getting office on our campus. That is money for it,” she says, an indication of our sincerity in although that is a real possibility. co-operating with each other.” “It’s the opportunity to partner CQU (along with several other with a country, to have a better universities) is moving most of understanding through partnerits operations to a new University ships, the potential to break City development about 28 down barriers. kilometres from the existing “The overall impression I had campus inside the city. The last of our partners, if I had to come bus to downtown Chongqing is up with a word, it would be at 10 p.m. ‘enthusiastic’. I was struck by how “Theoretically,” explains Li strategic they are, how deterBin, deputy director of the Office mined, and how much money of International Co-operation they have. They are marching and Exchanges at CQU, “we single-mindedly to that goal (of don’t support students having a improving quality and internanightlife.” tionalization), and they will do it Laurier Brantford’s acting with you or without you.” principal, Dr. Bruce Arai, set off Laurier’s presence in China independently on a couple of is enabling the university to occasions to explore possibilities develop partnerships which for his campus and came back will, if properly developed, with solid prospects. bring Chinese academics and The presidents of Kunming students to Laurier (there were Medical University and four students from Chongqing Chongqing Medical University on campus during the fall term), are drafting memorandums of and provide opportunities for understanding that could lead to Laurier academics and students the establishment in Brantford to experience a part of the world of a complementary or alterthat is important and exotic, yet native medicine program centred which conducts much of its around traditional Chinese business in English. medicine, which would be “a The opportunities for faculty central feature of what we want are especially appealing. to do in health studies,” says Arai. Laurier has a number of Over the course of two weeks offers from Chinese universities (or more, for some people) for faculty to teach or conduct Laurier’s delegation visited about research or study in China, says 10 universities and education Donahue. And those universities officials, while international are offering to pay for transporrecruitment coordinator Lise tation and accommodation, and Pedersen visited schools and ran maybe also to pay for teaching. the Laurier booth at a recruitment “I see huge opportunities fair in Beijing. We also worked in worth considering,” says Harris. a few touristy things. “Now we need to hear from For Board of Governors chair faculty, to understand whether Bev Harris, the trip was a chance these opportunities make sense to see the opportunities available for the university and whether for Laurier. they would be enthusiastic participants.” “It’s not just about (Laurier) 5
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January 2009
people at laurier
Languages and literatures professor Dr. Mercedes RowinskyGeurts has been elected as a member of the board of directors of the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE). The STLHE is a national association of academics focused on the improvement of teaching and learning in higher education. “This is a new and exciting challenge that will offer me the opportunity to have a large-
For a complete list of appointments visit www.wlu.ca/hr
scale impact on issues related to teaching and learning,” said Rowinsky-Geurts, who won the STLHE-sponsered 3M National Teaching Fellowship in February 2008.
New appointments: Sharline Doss, administrative assistant, Schlegel Centre.
Laurier signed football head coach Gary Jeffries to a five-year contract extension. Jeffries, 61, enters his 32nd season at the university in various coaching roles and has been head coach of the football team since 2003. He is one of the winningist active coaches in the country, and has coached over 700 games for Laurier (in football and basketball). He also led the Golden Hawks to two Yates Cup victories (2004, 2005) and the Vanier Cup title in 2005.
Wojciech Ekiert, custodian. Mark Frisen, custodial/maintenance person — Brantford.
Sheri Robblee, food service associate: WCH.
Linda Verth, food service associate.
Richard Hertzberger, leadhandcustodian.
Gregory Mudry, special constable.
Anjelisa Skinner, career consultant, Disability Programs.
Maria Zabalza, intermediate administrative assistant, Geography.
Diane Litt, OneCard systems assistant.
History professor Dr. Cynthia Comacchio’s latest book, The Dominion of Youth: Adolescence and the Making of Modern Canada, 1920 to 1950 (Laurier Press 2006), was announced as the winner of the Canadian History of Education Association (CHEA) 2006-2008 Founders’ Prize for English-language book/ anthology. It also received an honourable mention in the 2008 Canadian Historical Association Sir John A. MacDonald competition for the year’s best book. “I’m especially honoured to receive the CHEA award,” says Comacchio. “Many of its members have produced inaugural studies that have very much informed my own work over the past 20 years.” Through her archival research, Comacchio uncovered not only what it meant to be a Canadian adolescent between 1920 and 1950, but also how their experiences echoed what the country was going through at the time.
Golden Hawk athletics update
Laurier to host women’s hockey nationals, men’s and women’s curling teams prepare for world’s in China
Laurier’s men’s and women’s curling teams will travel to Harbin, China, this month to compete in the 24th Winter Universiade. Both teams secured spots in the Universiade by winning the inaugural Canadian Interuniversity Sport curling championships in March 2008. “The Chinese women’s team actually lives in Canada for a few months to train and play,” says women’s skip Holly Nicol. “We’ve played the team we’ll be facing in Harbin before and we lost, but it was a close one. We look forward to facing them again.” Laurier’s curling teams will be joined by Peter Baxter, the university’s director of athletics
and recreation, who has been appointed chef de mission for the Canadian team. The biannual Universiade takes place in countries around the world. The 2009 event in China will feature over 50 events in 12 sports, with almost 4,000 athletes and coaches participating. In other athletics news, Laurier’s bid to host the 2011 CIS women’s hockey championship was successful. The bid was supported by the City of Waterloo, and the event will take place at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex in March 2011, which coincides with the university’s 100th anniversary. “We are excited to be hosting a national event in the university’s
Xinyu Zhang, business intelligence analyst.
Changes in staff appointments: John Fraser, Senate secretariat officer.
Mary Mason, administrative assistant, Physical Resources. Judy Nicholl, leadhandcustodian. Wayne Steffler, assistant vicepresident: administration. Do you have a professional or personal milestone to share with the Laurier community? Email your announcement and photo to insidelaurier@wlu.ca.
What are you reading
?
Name: Mary Jo DaSilva Job Title: HR/Pension Administrator, Human Resources Book Title: The Time Traveler’s Wife Author: Audrey Niffenegger
What are you reading
?
centennial year,” says Baxter. The Golden Hawk Women’s hockey program has won the last five OUA titiles and the CIS championship in 2005. This season, the team is ranked second in Canada and has a 15-0 record in regular season play (as of Jan. 8).
What are you listening to?
This unconventional love story is from my daughter’s collection and she strongly recommended it after falling in love with the main characters. As soon as I read past the first chapter, I too understood the attraction of Henry and Clare’s story. Their undying relationship surpasses time, constant complications and turmoil, illustrating the true epitome of unconditional love.
What are you listening to? Name: Dawn Wharnsby Job Title: Graphic Designer, Public Affairs CD Title: Till the Sun Turns Black Artist: Ray LaMontagne
Photos: Mike Whitehouse.
From the moment as the music slowly seeps in, to the final lyrics and note of the last track, this recording is pure beauty. The arrangements and lyrics are punctuated by the poignant life experience of a musician who has made an amazing transition from a modest upbringing. Richly poetic, simply timeless and highly recommended, regardless of your musical taste. 6
January 2009 coffee with a co-worker
CAMPUS COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
VOL. 1 NO. 1 APRIL 7,2008
CAMPUS CONNECTIONS COMMUNITY
VOL. 1 NO. 1 APRIL 7,2008
A look at staff and faculty across campus
Entertainer and sports fan Name: The Hawk Job: Laurier mascot. Where you can find The Hawk: At Laurier varsity sports games firing up the crowd or major university events.
Photo: Matt Harris
How do you take your coffee: As an athletic mascot in peak condition, I drink water instead of coffee to stay well hydrated.
The Hawk hard at work getting the fans cheering for Laurier’s football team at University Stadium.
How long have you been at Laurier? I have been representing the university since 1960. But Laurier has been around for longer than that. Was there another mascot before you? Waterloo College didn’t even have team names until 1951, when we became the Mules. I’m told it was a funny take on our affiliation with Western and its team name, the Mustangs. As far as I know, there was no Mule mascot. When we became Waterloo
coming Events
Soheila Esfahani: The Seeker & The Search When: Until Jan. 31 Where: Robert Langen Art Gallery Cost: Free Artist Soheila Esfahani’s acrylic on canvas pieces will be on display. K/W Alumni Annual Family Skate and Pizza Party When: Jan. 17 3 p.m. –10 p.m. Where: Waterloo Memorial Recreation Centre Cost: $7/person, $20/family (4) Alumni, staff, faculty and community members are invited to bring the family and cheer on the Golden Hawks hockey teams, skate with the women’s team and enjoy a pizza party and hot chocolate. For a detailed schedule and tickets visit www. laurieralumni.ca/skatingparty. Music at Noon When: Jan. 20 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. Where: Maureen Forrester Recital Hall Cost: Free Bring your lunch and enjoy the music of David Braid on piano and Matt Brubeck on cello.
Lutheran University in 1960, people decided we needed a new team name.
I hear you’ve had a makeover. What did you look like back in the 1960s?
How did Laurier go from a mule to a Golden Hawk?
Like a stuffed hawk. After a few years the athletic director and some athletes spraypainted me gold.
Hawks was the most popular suggestion for a new name. I think it might have something to do with my breed’s visual acuity and keen intellect. People wanted me to be golden because they thought it would work with the school colours. When the change occurred in 1961, the headline in The Cord read, “From ‘Jackass’ to ‘Bird of Prey.’” I think it was a step up.
I think we all want to know — are you a male hawk or a female hawk? Thanks for your sensitivity. I’m actually gender neutral. And I’m not very chatty, so it’s very rare that I grant interviews.
For a complete list of events visit www.wlu.ca/events
Religion and Ethnicity in Canada When: Jan. 21 10 a.m. Where: Seminary Building Cost: Free The Waterloo Lutheran Seminary lecture series welcomes Dr. David Seljak, professor of religious studies at St. Jerome’s University and chair of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Waterloo.
disciplinary discussion with other faculty around topics of popular interest. For more information, contact Dr. Bob Sharpe at bsharpe@wlu.ca or ext. 2684. Strengthening Your Personal Relationships When: Jan. 22 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. Where: Paul Martin Centre Cost: Free
Reflecting on Teaching: The 3M Experience When: Jan. 22 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Where: BA102 Cost: Free
This Lunch & Learn Wellness session focuses on the positive power of communication. Learn about communication techniques to help your relationships move forward. To register, visit www.wlu.ca/ ilovemyjob.
This workshop will provide the opportunity to explore techniques aimed at helping professors reflect and revitalize their teaching methods in a dynamic workshop environment. Facilitated by Laurier’s 2008 3M Teaching Fellowship award winner Dr. Mercedes Rowinsky-Geurts. To register, visit www.wlu.ca/edev.
Workshop: Re-Presenting Canadian-Arabs in a Globalized World When: Jan. 23 1:40 p.m. – 3:40 p,m. Where: The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) Cost: Free
Noon-Hour Seminars: Trans-Disciplinary Seminar When: Jan. 22 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Where: 5th floor lounge, DAWB * Open to all faculty Bring your lunch and take part in an informal trans-
What else does it take to be The Hawk?
feet. But overall, it’s a very rewarding job.
I’m an entertainer, a motivator, a sports lover, and a bit of a dancer. I also love kids. I’m very good at keeping secrets, so no one knows much about my identity.
What’s your favourite sports memory?
What’s the most challenging part of your job? Being recognized in public takes some getting used to — sometimes it’s challenging being a local celebrity. I also get pretty warm, and sometimes people step on my
The Vanier Cup victory in 2005 when hundreds of people ran onto the field. It was electric. I loved being in the thick of it. But there have been many athletic triumphs over the years, and Laurier has so many incredible athletes and fans that every event is a treasure.
By Lori Chalmers Morrison
Winter driving safety between your car and the one ahead. Winter driving can be tricky. Here are some tips to keep you safe behind the • Avoid using cruise control on wheel: slippery roads. • Check your tire pressure often — • Pack an emergency kit with items when the tires are cold. Properly such as a shovel, blankets, flashlight, inflated winter tires will give you the candle, first-aid kit and food. best traction on winter roads. • Travel with a fully charged cell phone. • Replace windshield wiper blades that streak with wipers designed for Adapted from information provided by winter use. Top up washer fluid with Transport Canada. For more information, visit www.tc.gc.ca. a solution good to -40ºC. • Before setting out, remove all snow from your vehicle’s hood, roof, windows and lights. • Give yourself extra time, reduce your speed and leave lots of room
Keynote speaker Dr. Karim Karim is the director of Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication, and an internationally acclaimed author. For more information contact Dr. Jenna Hennebry at jhennebry@wlu.ca or ext. 4489.
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CAMPUS COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
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VOL. 1 NO. 1 APRIL 7,2008
January 2009
In the classroom
A look inside the lecture hall
Putting stars in their eyes Professor: Dr. Shohini Ghose Class: Astronomy I: Our Place in the Cosmos
Astronomy has fascinated Dr. Shohini Ghose since she was a child. “Like every kid I wanted to be an astronaut,” she says. “It’s exciting to share and pass on my own sense of wonder about this amazing universe.” Ghose, whose PhD is in quantum physics, describes the course as being unlike any other because the ideas are literally mind-boggling. “The facts about the universe — its size, age, number of stars — are more bizarre than fiction.” Ghose feels that studying other planetary systems gives us insight into our own planet and important issues like global warming. “Astronomy is arguably the oldest science and is intimately linked to the development not only of modern technologies but also our culture, traditions, festivals, religions and everyday lives,” she says. “The study of the universe allows us to understand our own place in the cosmos, our origins and our future.” By Mallory O’Brien
Photo: Dean Palmer
Description: An introduction to the science of astronomy, including the local sky and solar system.
Dr. Shohini Ghose, centre, has been fascinated with astronomy since she was a child, and she enjoys sharing her own sense of wonder about the universe with her students.
Spreading holiday cheer
Photos: Mallory O’Brien
Laurier kicked off the festive season with the staff and faculty seasonal lunch
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