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Sept. 30, 2021 

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Journey to Indigenization

Campus recognizes National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

MRU's Journey to Indigenization's events continue until Oct. 4 and include guest speakers, presentations, intergenerational healing series and other opportunities to learn about Indigenous Peoples and histories.

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Old Sun Community College

From darkness to light: 50 years of transformation for Old Sun 

Formerly a residential school, a grim and dispiriting place, Old Sun Community College was established in 1971 as a satellite campus of Mount Royal College and is now a place of learning and positive change. 

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Virtual Reality Classroom

Bell rings for first virtual reality classroom 

A new course at MRU and the first of its kind in Canada is taking students where no class has gone before.

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IPSE

IPSE adds important new credential 

MRU's Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Program is now offering an extension certificate including four new courses. 

Read more ...

 

Announcements

Commemorating the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The Mount Royal campus remained open today in commemoration of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and as direct action in recognizing the directives of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action. MRU President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Tim Rahilly, PhD, said, "I believe that education through lived experiences, elders, researchers and discussions is what gets us closer to the truth."

Mount Royal's Journey to Indigenization continues, with several events taking place until Oct. 4. Flags are at half-mast today to honour the children who never made it home and will also be lowered on Oct. 4 (Sisters in Spirit Day) in remembrance of all the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people. For more information on decolonization, visit MRU's knowledge-sharing page.

Use MRU Now for vaccination verification by Oct. 4

Mount Royal University has implemented digital vaccination verification using the existing MRU Now app. The tool meets the requirements to prove the vaccination status of all students and employees. Proof of vaccination must be uploaded to the app no later than end of day Monday. Step-by-step instructions for uploading your proof of vaccination can be found onlineBe ready to provide your proof of vaccination while on campus. MRU Now also notifies subscribers of time-sensitive events, such as COVID-19 updates and campus emergencies. Please ensure to enable notifications. 

Welcome back and appreciation gifts are ready for pick up on Monday

When on campus, employees can pick up their choice of a 22-ounce water bottle, a 12-ounce coffee mug or a grey junior portfolio from the Cougars Campus Store. Please bring your OneCard or provide your name, employee ID and initials. Availability is on a first-come first-served basis and will begin Oct. 4.

Time off to vote in upcoming elections if needed    
          

Employees are eligible for time off during the workday to vote in the Oct. 18 municipal election where normal hours of work do not provide for a consecutive three-hour period to vote. Where possible, employees are encouraged to vote before or after work hours, but may have up to three hours to ensure they are able to vote before polls close. More information.  

Working group ensuring smooth transition to new fiscal year-end

A pan-institutional working group has been planning the transition to MRU’s new fiscal year end of March 31, 2022. Representatives from all divisions have been consulting their areas for several months to ensure all planning and systems function without interruption. Learn more about the progress that has been made (you will need to sign in to your MyMRU account).

National Depression Screening Day — Oct. 4 to 10

It's common to feel down or not ourselves from time to time. It happens to everyone but feeling better is also within reach. From Oct. 4 to 10, MRU is pleased to participate in National Depression Screening Day in partnership with the Calgary Counselling Centre. Check in with your mental health by using the free, anonymous tool available at areyoufeelingok.com. For more information, resources or to see a list of events, visit mru.ca/NDSD.

Movement for Life — small group training

Hosted by Recreation, this small group training focuses on educating and preparing all participants for active play through movement, no matter their fitness level. A maximum of eight people per class allows the trainer to support, coach and to ensure proper form in each session. Participants can sign up for classes up to one month ahead of time, and can cancel up to eight hours prior to the class time. All classes will take place on the track level, and are included with membership facility access. Visit the website to register or learn more.

Movement for Life — older adult program

Starting or maintaining a regular exercise routine can be challenging at any age, and it doesn't get easier as you get older. Recreation is hosting a 12-week fitness program to address four components of physical activity: balance, mobility, strength and endurance. Each 90-minute class includes an instructional warm-up, aerobic/cardiovascular workout, strength and conditioning, balance exercises, stretching and cool-down in an engaging, safe, fun and social environment. Visit the website to register or learn more. 


Verba Collect opens Oct. 1 for Winter 2022 course material requests

Verba Collect opens for Winter 2022 course material requests on Oct. 1. The first order will be placed on Nov. 15 for any course material requests reviewed before the end of day on Oct. 31. Verba Collect will be closed for submissions at the end of day on Dec. 10, and no new course material requests or adjustments will be accepted after this time. More information.

Book an appointment at the Massage Therapy Student Practicum Clinic 

Whether you need a relaxation massage or have a condition that requires a therapeutic treatment, students at Mount Royal's on-campus Massage Therapy Student Practicum Clinic can meet your needs. The $30 fee for one-hour massage treatments are $30 ($20 with your MRU OneCard). Visit mru.ca/BookAMassage for details.

Did you know?

Tonight at dusk, areas around campus including the Charlton Pond and the Recreation pool will be lit in orange in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Please take a moment to remember those who have been lost and to commit to the values of truth, reconciliation and decolonization. 

 

Bleed Blue

Distinguished award goes to chemistry professor 

Dr. Brett McCollum, PhD, Mount Royal University Board of Governors Teaching Chair in Educational Leadership, is the recipient of the 2021 Confederation of Alberta Faculty Associations (CAFA) Distinguished Teaching Award. The annual CAFA Awards recognize excellence and raise awareness of the many ways scholarly or creative work of university academic staff members serves the wider community. McCollum was honoured with a 3M National Teaching Fellowship in 2019 and has earned many other accolades.

 

Events

Journey to Indigenization
Continues until Mon., Oct. 4 
Join Mount Royal’s Journey to Indigenization through a number of events directed at truth, reconciliation and decolonization. See the complete list. 

Calgary Police Half Marathon 
Sun., Oct. 3 from 8 a.m. to noon — Mount Royal University
The 2021 Calgary Police Half Marathon will be hosted at MRU, with race package pick-up on campus the two preceding days. More information.

National Depression Screening Day 
Mon., Oct. 4 to Sun., Oct. 10 — Virtual 
Learn the skills to help you move in the direction of feeling better and try the free anonymous tool to check in with your mental health. Learn more

Using KeePass
Wed., Oct. 6 from 10 to 11 a.m. — Google Meet
This informative one-hour workshop takes you through the basic steps of using KeePass so you can stop reusing passwords and safely store them. Register.

Protecting Yourself Against Cybercrime 2020/2021
Tues., Oct. 19 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. ― Google Meet
This informative workshop gives you tools to keep you and yours cybersafe and fulfills the annual mandatory cybersecurity training requirement. Register.

Harm Reduction and Naloxone Training 
Thurs., Oct. 21 from 2 to 4 p.m. ― EA1055 
This two-hour training session teaches participants about harm reduction practices, the current state of the opioid crisis in Alberta and how to respond to an opioid overdose. Register.

The Cybersecurity Road Show 
Tues., Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ― Main Street
Join our security experts on Main Street for fun cybersecurity-related activities, prizes and more. More information.

 

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Summit and website stories

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MyMRU announcements

Please send announcements for MyMRU's homepage to mymru@mtroyal.ca. Review the guidelines.

Start of semester emails, with option for distribution list
sign-up

As each semester begins (August/September and December/January), areas with ongoing employee activities can send an email to all employees describing their semester activities. Employees can then choose to opt in to that area's distribution list (Google Group) for regular updates. If you would like to send an email and/or set up a Google Group for your area, please contact Marketing and Communications for guidelines.

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