Announcements

MRU joins Academic Without Borders

Mount Royal University has joined Academics Without Borders (AWB) and its network of Canadian post-secondary institutions. Through membership in the AWB network, MRU faculty and staff have special access to partnership opportunities provided by AWB through the organization's relationships with institutions and countries around the globe. More information. 

Welcoming Arleen Gallo as AVP of Human Resources
Arleen Gallo has been selected as the new associate vice-president of Human Resources, starting June 6. With more than 20 years of success, Gallo has broad senior HR leadership experience in both the private and public sectors and is a life-long learner and strong supporter of community volunteering and engagement. We greatly appreciate Mark Friesen for his contributions as interim AVP as he returns to his role as director of labour relations.

Help celebrate our graduates

Spring 2022 Convocation is taking place in person from June 1 to 3 and the Indigenous Graduation Celebration is on June 4. Both events will be held in the Triple Gym and volunteers are needed to assist with the ceremonies, especially for the morning of June 2. Volunteer for standard convocation. Volunteer for Indigenous graduation.

Upcoming Recreation Convocation closures

Next week Recreation will be hosting MRU’s convocation ceremonies, which will impact facility spaces. Please note Recreation will be closed from June 1 to June 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., however facilities are available from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Wednesday and Thursday) and at 9 p.m. (Friday). The pool and locker rooms will follow regular operating hours on these days. Please also note:

• Triple Gym closed until June 6
  
• Running Track closed from May 30 to June 5
  
• Stanley Gym closed from May 31 to July 15
  

Upcoming closures are always available on the Recreation website. Thank you for your patience through the closures and please join us in congratulating Mount Royal University’s graduates.

Board request for presidential feedback

Please submit feedback on Dr. Tim Rahilly’s leadership during the first three years of his appointment as president and vice-chancellor of MRU. The form will be available until 4:30 p.m.on June 6. You must be a current Mount Royal employee to submit feedback and your email address will be collected by the form. The University Secretariat will anonymize the feedback and provide it verbatim to the board chair and president.  

New MRFA Collective Agreement posted online

The new MRFA Collective Agreement for the period of July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2024 can now be found online. In addition to providing information about collective bargaining processes, the University is committed to providing updates about the status of those negotiations. Please visit mru.ca/Bargaining for the latest details.

Prepare to empty fridges for annual electrical maintenance shut down 

This year's annual electrical maintenance shutdown is scheduled from Saturday, June 11 at 8:30 p.m. to Sunday, June 12 at 7:30 a.m. The main building will have normal power only. During this time, only operational staff will be granted access, office fridges will be without power and remote VPN will not be available due to PC power being impacted. Remote PC power downs and power ups will be managed with the help of ITS as needed. All directly impacted end users and system stakeholders have been engaged by Building Operations for mitigation as required 

Staff discount for MRU Camps

Bring your kids to work and drop them off at MRU Camps, which delivers diverse, fun and educational camps in creative arts, sports, outdoors and STEM programs. Receive 10 per cent off using the discount code MRUSTAFF and register today. The payroll payment deduction form available on MyMRU under the Employee tab/Work Tools. 

Did you know?

There are many children in the community who would love to go to MRU Camps, but their families cannot afford the program fees. If you’d like to make a donation to help send these children to camp, your gift will be matched up to 50 per cent by Shaw Birdies for Kids Presented By AltaLink. Donate through Shaw, for a limited time.

Bleed Blue

Events

D2L Brightspace Instructor Essentials 
Mon., May 30 from 10 a.m. to noon and Wed., June 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Online
Discover the essential coverage of the Brightspace Learning Environment for new clients. May 30 registration. June 8 registration.

Beginner’s Guide to Transforming Social Connections with Virtual Reality 
Wed., June 1 from 11 to 11:45 a.m. — Experience Lab (EL1355)
Learn how social virtual reality platforms (Altspace VR, VR Chats, Facebook Spaces) work, and how you can use them to socialize, learn or teach. Register.

The Many Questions of GenEd: A Miniature Colloquium
Wed., June 1 from 2 to 4:40 p.m. — Ideas Lounge (Riddell Library and Learning Centre)
This series of short 15-minute presentations allows faculty to talk about what they are working on, ask questions and share reflections.

Walk & Talk
Thurs., June 2 from noon to 12:30 p.m. — East Gate
Join some of your MRU friends for a 25-minute outdoor walk around campus to get moving and connect with others. More information.

Changemaker Conversation: When Water is your Relative
Thurs., June 2 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. — Online
A discussion on how the relationality of Indigenous knowledge systems are built upon helps provide a framework for undertaking projects connected to sustainability. Register.

Managing Your Time and Energy
Tues., June 7 from 10 to 11 a.m. — Online
Is it possible to manage time at work to be both satisfied and successful? This online session will explore answers to this question. Register.

Managing Your Citations: Mendeley vs. Zotero 
Wed., June 8 from 10 to 10:30 a.m. — Online
Learn the strengths and weaknesses of both citation tools to see which one is right for you. Register.

Introduction to Mendeley
Thurs., June 9 from 11 a.m. to noon — Online 
Mendeley allows you to save and organize your references and create bibliographies in the citation style of your choice. Register. 

Introduction to Zotero
Mon., June 13 from 10 to 11 a.m. — Online or Viz Classroom (EL1441)
Zotero allows you to save and organize your references and create bibliographies in the citation style of your choice. Register.