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Oct. 13, 2022

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Bridge to Canadian Nursing

More opportunities for internationally educated nurses

A recent government announcement will help expand pathways for international nurses to work in Alberta such as MRU's Bridge to Canadian Nursing program. 

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Aviation Funding

Funding set to help aviation sector soar higher than ever

A Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Alberta and WestJet Airlines will see $8.16 million in funding for the expansion of MRU's Aviation Diploma.

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Open House 2022

Open House 2022 on Oct. 29

Attendees of this year's Open House will be able to take part in a mix of campus tours and live panels with MRU faculty, alumni and current students.  

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Journey to Indigenization 2022

Indigenization taking root 

The second year of MRU's Journey to Indigenization captured experiential expressions of reconciliation and numerous transfers of teachings.

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Indigitization

Digitizing oral history

The Library's Indigitization project is helping preserve invaluable recordings documenting language and culturally significant practices.

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Announcements

You’re invited to Breakfast with the President

MRU employees are invited to sign up to join President and Vice-Chancellor Tim Rahilly, PhD, for breakfast. This is a chance to chat, enjoy a meal and share ideas with your colleagues. This is a new initiative with the first breakfast date scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 1 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. (drop in as your schedule permits or stay for the entire time). If you are interested, please fill out this form. The event is limited to 15 participants on a first-come basis. Preference will be given to those who have not had a conversation with the president with an effort to have representation from management, exempt employees, support staff and faculty. Please note that only those selected will receive a confirmation to attend but we hope to schedule additional opportunities in the future. 

Employee health and safety training

It's time to update your mandatory safety training with four online modules that all employees are required to complete. Mount Royal is committed to fostering a safe and healthy environment that empowers our campus community to live by our shared values as we work to fulfill our mission and vision. All employees must complete the Prevention of Workplace Violence and Harassment module by Nov. 30 and the remaining modules by Jan. 31, 2023. Get started now.

What does the payroll schedule change mean for you? 

Mount Royal’s payroll schedule is changing. The last payday of the year is Dec. 22; the first payday of the new year is Jan. 24. An optional payroll advance for eligible employees will be issued Jan. 13, 2023. Attend an in-person or online information session this month for more details. Learn more.

Feeling sick? Stay home and access supports if you need them

If you aren’t feeling well, please stay home. If you have symptoms and/or test positive for COVID-19, complete the Employee COVID Self-Isolation Report Form. Please do so even if you are working remotely. Visit Human Resources and COVID-19 for more information.

Exploratory work in G-Wing and on Main Street

Exploratory work in G100 (the old library) and in adjacent areas of Levels 1 and 2 of Main Street started this week. This work by Facilities Management will provide information for design development of the revitalization of G-Wing and some adjacent areas. Contact Keith Marpole at kmarpole@mtroyal.ca with any questions or visit mru.ca/Renovations.

See something? Say something

We all contribute to safety on campus. If you see suspicious behaviour, report it to Security via the MRU Now app or by phone: emergency, 403.440.5900; non-emergency: 403.440.6897. If it is an emergency, call 911, then Security. Learn more at mru.ca/Security.

Get your annual flu shot        

The annual Flu Clinic will run from Oct. 17 to 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m in Wellness Services (U 216). The clinic is open to all students, faculty and staff with no appointments required on a first-come, first-served basis. You must be 18 years of age and bring your provincial health-care card. International students are also welcome with no health card required. Learn more at mru.ca/FluClinic.

Faculty Workload and Appointments Taskforce update

On Sept. 28 and 29, the Faculty Workload and Appointments Taskforce met with Lyle Kanee, who has agreed to support the work of the Taskforce as facilitator. Over the two days, a community agreement was established to support and guide the Taskforce’s work. With Kanee’s guidance, the Taskforce spent some productive time reviewing the mandate of the Taskforce and conducting a preliminary assessment of the challenges related to faculty workload and appointments. The Fall 2022 meetings of the Taskforce have been scheduled for Oct. 17, Oct. 28, Nov. 15 and Dec. 6. We look forward to updating you as our work unfolds. The Taskforce members are Evan Cortens, Lee Easton, Gülberk Koç Maclean, Pat Kostouros, Brenda Lang, Jennifer Pettit, Kelly Williams-Whitt and Jonathan Withey. 

Continuing Education Registration Services has moved

Continuing Education Registration Services has moved to the Conservatory Office (ED 0300) in the Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts. Registration support is still available by phone at 403.440.3833 or email at ceregservices@mtroyal.ca. Learn more.

Join in the annual MRU Sustainability Fair

Oct. 25 and 26 will feature events and speaker sessions demonstrating MRU's commitment to environmental sustainability. Watch for tables along Main Street to take part in events such as Totally Terrarium. Find out about everything happening on the Fall Sustainability Fair website and keep checking back for updates. Two speaker sessions will also occur each day. Learn more. These days are organized by Sustainable MRU and moderated by students from the sustainability-focused student group SDG Hub. 

Free and discounted tickets available for Honens International Piano Competition 

The Honens International Piano Competition is taking over the Bella Concert Hall from Oct. 20 to 27. As one of its most valued partner organizations, MRU employees are eligible for free and discounted tickets. Use the promo code MRUFAMILY to get free tickets to any semifinal performance at the Bella or 30 per cent off tickets to the other events. Purchase tickets online

B-Wing water shutdown on Oct. 15

On Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Building Operations will be shutting off the water in the new expansion of B-Wing, which will effect labs, washrooms and kitchens.

Sexpo Week workshops and Sex Toy Bingo 

Sexpo Week traditionally takes place during the last week of October in alignment with SAMRU’s first Sex Toy Bingo (Oct. 27) of the year and features activities, workshops, events and education around safe sex practices and sexuality, rooted theoretically in harm reduction and anti-oppressive practice. Students can visit samru.ca/events for Sexpo Week workshop details and information on Sex Toy Bingo.

Did you know?

The annual ETOL Film Night is coming up on Nov. 9 in celebration of MRU’S Bachelor of Health and Physical Education — Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership program. A full house is expected at the Bella, complete with the film fest, a silent auction and a photo contest.  All funds raised support the Allan Derbyshire Award, which in turn supports ETOL students.

 

Bleed Blue

President and professor both receive Platinum Jubilee Medal

MRU has two new recipients of a medal honouring significant contributions to Alberta. Tim Rahilly, PhD, president and vice-chancellor, and Michael Uzoka, PhD, mathematics and computing professor, were both recently awarded the Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Medal. This commemorative medal was created to mark the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne. The award is given to select Albertans throughout 2022 to recognize their contributions, and recipients are nominated by a range of Government of Alberta program partners, such as members of the legislative assembly, Indigenous organizations, the Canadian Armed Forces, and many non-governmental community-based organizations. See photos from the event.

Optimizing mental health for youth

Assistant Professor Daniel Devoe, PhD, with the Department of Psychology, is a collaborator on a $5.13-million grant to create a platform to optimize mental health for youth across Canada. This project is funded by RBC Future Launch, Power Corporation of Canada and the Canada Brain Research Fund.

 

Events

Extended Reality (XR) Support Hours
Every Wednesday until Dec. 14  from 2:30 to 4 p.m. — Experience Lab (EL1355)
Drop by for one-on-one support for your questions about extended realities (XR), the metaverse, 360-degree photography/videography and more. Register.

Finishing School
Every Thursday until Dec. 22 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. — The Bubble (EL 3249)
Participants can bring in their own fibre projects to work on in a supportive and social setting at this weekly drop in. Register.

Intro to LibrarySearch: How to Find Academic Sources in MRU Library
Thurs., Oct. 13 from 2:30 to 3 p.m. — Online
Learn how to find scholarly peer-reviewed articles and books, how to access electronic and print resources, how to save search results and other techniques for improving academic searching skills. Register

Flu Clinic Oct. 17 to 21
Monday, Oct. 17 to Friday, Oct. 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m — Wellness Services (U 216A)
Open to all students, faculty and staff who are at least 18 years of age. Bring your provincial health care card or no card if you are an international student. 

The Cybersecurity Roadshow
Tues., Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Main Street
Cybersecurity experts will look at an email for you, show you how to enable multi-factor authentication and/or discuss password managers and you can pick up some swag, enter a contest or win a prize. Learn more.

In-Person Employee Payroll Information Session
Tues., Oct. 18 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. — W312
Learn how the new payroll schedule will affect you, including an optional payroll advance for eligible employees to help bridge an extended gap between paydays. Learn more.

Communicating Copyright to Your Students
Tues., Oct. 18 from noon to 1 p.m. — Viz Classroom (EL 1441)
The session will propose ways for educators to positively communicate copyright to students. Register.  

XR Toolkit Series: Creating Augmented Reality Experiences with Adobe Aero
Tues., Oct. 18 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Experience Lab — (EL 1355)
Learn how to build, view, and share interactive augmented reality experiences using your Apple device and the Adobe Aero platform. Register for Oct. 18. Register for Oct. 25.

Harm Reduction & Naloxone Training
Wed., Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon — I 115 (Jenkins Theatre)
In this two-hour training, participants learn about harm reduction practices, the current state of the opioid crisis in Alberta and how to respond to an opioid poisoning. Register.

A More Cyber-Secure Campus — What’s in it for me?
Wed., Oct. 19 from noon to 1 p.m. — Ideas Lounge
Learn effective practices that will help protect your workplace, your campus and your home. Register.

Learn Programming: Arduino in Tinkercad
Thurs., Oct. 20 from 4 to 5 p.m. — Maker Studio (EL 1245)
Learning Arduino can enable you to build systems that perform in interactive artwork, biofeedback, home automation or robotics projects. Register.

Volunteer Fair 2022
Mon., Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Main Street
Career Services’ 2022 Volunteer Fair is an opportunity to connect with non-profit organizations, explore volunteer opportunities and build careers. Learn more.

Exploring Environmental Sustainability at MRU
Tues., Oct. 25 and Wed. Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Main Street
Bringing together students, faculty and staff at MRU who are motivated to initiate and promote sustainability-focused initiatives on campus. Learn more

Creative Commons Crash Course
Tues., Oct. 25 from noon to 1 p.m. — Library Boardroom Day (EL 4371A)
In this session, you will learn when and how you can reuse creative commons licensed resources in your own work. Register.

Tea & Bannock Talking Circle
Tues., Oct. 25 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. — Cultural Inclusion Centre (Room Z 203)
All are invited to meet others and enjoy tea and bannock while participating in discussions on a wide variety of Indigenous and international issues impacting various communities.

Protecting Yourself Against Cybercrime Workshop
Tues., Oct. 25 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. — TBA
This informative 90-minute workshop fulfills the annual mandatory cybersecurity training requirement and is intended for those who are new to MRU. Register.

Copyright Dough for Employees
Wed., Oct. 26 from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Library Boardroom Day (EL 4371A)
Join MRU’s copyright advisor to learn about Canadian copyright law, user exceptions to the law, and how copyright applies to your teaching and training all while modelling with playdough. Register.

In-Person Employee Payroll Information Session
Wed, Oct. 26 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. — T141
Learn how the new payroll schedule will affect you, including an optional payroll advance for eligible employees to help bridge an extended gap between paydays. Learn more.

CNC Carving: Easel Software
Thurs., Oct. 27 from 4 to 5 p.m. — Maker Studio (EL1245)
Join the MRU Library Maker Studio staff and learn how to use Easel, a design software program for 3D-carving machines like the Carvey. Register.

Finding Data About Calgary and Calgarians
Tues., Nov. 1 from 10:30 to 11 a.m. — Viz Classroom (EL1441)
Sources of data about Calgary and Calgarians, including social, economic and environmental data both unique to the city and comparable with other municipalities, will be discussed. Register.

Menstrual Equity Through Cloth Pad Making
Tues., Nov. 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Maker Studio (EL 1245)
This workshop will focus on how period poverty impacts those who menstruate and teach how to make your own cloth pads, a more sustainable option that can be washed and reused. Register.

Harm Reduction & Naloxone Training
Thurs., Nov. 3 from 2 to 4 p.m. — EA 1055
This two-hour training teaches participants about harm reduction practices, the current state of the opioid crisis in Alberta, and how to respond to an opioid poisoning. Register.

BIPOC Support Network
Fri., Nov. 4 from noon to 1 p.m. — Cultural Inclusion Centre (Room Z 203)
This in-person or remote event seeks to facilitate a sense of belonging on campus by providing a support network for faculty, staff and students who identify as Black, Indigenous or People of Colour. Join online.

Concert for Classrooms: Barney Bentall & The Cariboo Express for Classroom Champions
Fri., Nov. 4 from 7 to 10:15 p.m. — Bella Concert Hall
This one-of-a-kind concert will be a fun-filled evening supporting bringing more champions to more kids and remembering the late Peter Burgener. Tickets.

 

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sign-up

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