Our Community

Your Mount Royal News
Oct. 15, 2021

TransAlta gift supports Indigenous Housing Program

A $40,000 gift from TransAlta is helping create a more culturally enriching and family-friendly space for the students and families of Mount Royal’s Indigenous Housing Program, including a 25-foot Blackfoot-style tipi, outdoor furnishings and funds for future programming.

Tsuut'ina Nation and MRU Cougars partner to celebrate sport

The Tsuut’ina Nation and owners and operators of the 7 Chiefs Sportsplex and Chief Jim Starlight Centre have inked an agreement with the Cougars to bring varsity hockey to the First Nations’ new arena this fall, including the women’s home opener against the Dinos on Oct. 30.

Event and Theatre Services raise the curtain for a new season

The Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts and the Conservatory exceeded expectations with their online initiatives last year and are offering in person and remote options for Fall 2021.

A guide for personal and academic success for first-year students

MRU student counsellor Dr. Janet Miller, PhD, has written a how-to book entitled You at the U: A Guided Tour Through Your First Year of University that breaks down some of the challenges into manageable steps.

Announcements

Join in Giving Day

On Nov. 30, Mount Royal University will host its first ever Giving Day. This 24-hour campaign is a way to celebrate philanthropy on campus and highlight the impact of our generous donor community. Join us to hear stories from students, faculty and alumni as they share their MRU experiences. We know there are a million reasons to give to MRU — what's yours?

Fall Convocation deferred to June

Mount Royal has made the decision to move the usual November Fall Convocation ceremonies to June in combination with Spring Convocation. Students finishing their degree at the end of the fall or winter semesters must apply to graduate by Feb. 28. Questions about convocation can be answered online or directed to convocation@mtroyal.ca.

Mount Royal flu clinic next week

Do your part to reduce the demand on the health-care system by getting your flu shot. The Mount Royal flu clinic will operate from Oct. 18 to Oct. 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Wellness Services (U216). Open to all students, faculty and staff, no appointments are required. You must be 18 years of age and bring your provincial health-care card. International students are also welcome with no health-care card required.

Upgrades to OneCard reader system have resumed

System upgrades to OneCard readers are occurring at various campus locations and are scheduled to be completed by January 2022. Upgrades to the card reader system are necessary to modernize security throughout campus and improve functionality. Any disruptive work (noise or dust) will be scheduled from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., outside of regular class times. Please email fm@mtroyal.ca with any questions.

OAI is now office of Indigenization and decolonization

The Office of Academic Indigenization will now be known as the office of Indigenization and decolonization. This is a change that highlights a necessary distinction as we further implement and renew our goals around Indigenization. Many great achievements have come out of this area since its launch in 2018, and there is more to come with this change that includes an intention to guide and support the reconciliation work that is happening across campus. Updates are being made to reflect this change in both online and in-person spaces throughout campus.

MRU Sustainability Fair: A Global Climate Change Week event

The MRU Sustainability Fair will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 20 and Thursday, Oct. 21. Stop by a booth along Main Street and attend one or all of the mini-workshop sessions. Prizes will be drawn. Completion of a manageable set of requirements earns a certificate of attendance.

Cougars varsity game tickets

New this year, purchase your tickets for Cougars basketball, hockey and volleyball games online in advance. Mount Royal students and employees receive free admission to games and are encouraged to get their tickets before the game by using their MRU ID number as the coupon code at checkout. To get your free ticket or to purchase tickets for someone else, please visit the Cougars ticket info webpage.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month

To celebrate, the Cybersecurity Challenge 2021 has launched with updated teams. Sign up for the Virtual Treasure Hunt, attend a talk and show off your cybersecurity sticker to collect contest entry codes. Each code is one entry into a draw for a $250 Best Buy gift certificate.

Moments Matter provincial campaign promotes health and safety

Mount Royal University has endorsed a three-year, provincewide campaign called Moments Matter, which celebrates Alberta leaders who take a personal role in building positive and respectful workplace cultures that promote health and safety ― and help stop sexual harassment. Find out more.

Remembrance Day building closure for fire alarm testing

On Thursday, Nov. 11, campus building will be closed for fire alarm testing. Recreation will be accessible after 8 a.m. from the U-wing (Recreation) entrance only. The first floor of the Riddell Library and Learning Centre will be closed from 7 a.m. to noon, and all other floors will be closed all day. Send any questions to fm@mtroyal.ca.

MRSA Annual General Meeting Nov. 17

The Mount Royal Staff Association Executive Board will live stream its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 17 from 10:45 a.m. to noon. Article 7.3 of the MRSA/BoG Collective Agreement allows for time off with pay — "up to a total of two and a half (2.5) hours to be used over two meetings to Association members for the purpose of attending the Annual General Meeting and the General Meeting provided these occur during the Employee's normal working hours." Where operationally feasible, leaders are asked to support staff to view the AGM.

New Banner 9 efficiencies now available

Many processes, such as Banner access changes, signing authority and P-card requests, have moved from manual forms to a more automated workflow. This will simplify and speed up the process as well as improve record-keeping. Learn more.

Did you know?

The 19-metre high George Kerby Memorial Tower houses Mount Royal’s carillon, which was designed and built by John Stevenson in 1972 in the same brutalist architectural style as MRU’s main building. Ringing out every hour, on the hour, some claim the carillon can be heard over a six-kilometre radius, making its broadcast a significant part of Mount Royal's cultural identity. It’s said that if you touch the plaque at the base of the tower on the last chime of any hour, you’ll have good luck. Read more.

Bleed Blue

Catamount Fellowship cohort selected

The 2021/22 Catamount Fellowship program has accepted its cohort of emerging changemakers. These senior-level students are passionate about creating a more just and equitable future for all. Diving into social innovation frameworks, experiential learning and deep listening with community, students explore the root causes of community-identified ecological, social, economic and cultural issues. Learn more.

Events

Protecting Yourself Against Cybercrime 2020/2021
Tues., Oct. 19 from 10 to 11:20 p.m. ― Google Meet
This informative workshop gives you all the tools you need to keep you and yours cyber safe and fulfills the annual mandatory cybersecurity training requirement. Register.

Communicating Copyright to Your Students
Tues., Oct. 19 from 3 to 4 p.m. ― Online
The session will propose ways for educators to communicate copyright to students, how to approach them as fellow creators and establish an environment of respect and trust. Register.

Phoenix Rising: Insurgency and Fiery Speech — Political Polarization and the Killing of a King
Tues., Oct. 19 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. ― Ideas Lounge (EL1270)
Join MRU experts as they discuss documents recently acquired by Archives and Special Collections that give testimony to the transformation of political discourse by which sudden divisions would emerge and rip society apart in 17th-century England. More information.

Harm Reduction and Naloxone Training
Thurs., Oct. 21 from 2 to 4 p.m. ― EA1055
Tues., Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon ― EA2047
This two-hour training teaches about harm reduction practices and how to respond to an opioid overdose. Certification upon completion. Register for Oct. 21. Register for Nov. 9.

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.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Sport: Robotic Limbs
Wed., Oct. 27 from noon to 1 p.m. ― Ideas Lounge (EL1270) and Online
This series will explore the question about athletes who are experiencing disability, and in particular those who use prosthetics, competing directly against able-bodied athletes. Register.

Using KeePass
Tues., Nov. 2 from 10 to 11 a.m. ― Online
This informative workshop takes you through the basic steps of using KeePass so you can stop reusing passwords and safely store them. Register.

International Education Week 2021
Mon., Nov. 8 to Wed., Nov. 10
Mount Royal University's Office of International Education will host a celebration of our international campus community and showcase the diverse backgrounds of our staff, faculty and students. More information.

Have a story, announcement or info to share?

Summit and website stories

We would love to hear about your story! Go to the online story submission tool and guidelines.

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.

4825 Mount Royal Gate SW | Calgary, Alberta | T3E 6K6, Canada
ourcommunity@mtroyal.ca | mtroyal.ca