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March 30, 2023

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Tatum Amy

Cougars women's hockey team makes history

In a nail-biter final game, the Cougars women's hockey squad claimed the crown as the best varsity team in the country, the first time MRU has earned a U Sports banner.

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Matt McLarnen

Diving deep into workplace psychology

Associate Professor Matt McLarnon, PhD, researches the employee experience in order to optimize teams, enable team co-operation and bolster team identity and brand. 

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Gabrielle Lindstrom

Focus on community-based research 

Assistant Professor Gabrielle Lindstrom, PhD, investigates Indigenous/Blackfoot resilience and its connection to transformative pedagogy and transformative learning. 

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Maryam Elahi

Examining cloud computing and climate change

Reliance on the cloud continues to grow, and Assistant Professor Maryam Elahi, PhD, is researching  improving efficiencies while lessening environmental impacts.   

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Haider Amin

Allowing for risk-free workplace training

Computer information systems student Haider Amin's virtual reality training modules have the potential to lead to better employees and an improved customer experience. 

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Ethan Ward

Research skills will assist with future career

Journalism and digital media student Ethan Ward contributed to a research report on the strengths and shortcomings  Canadian park systems’ response to COVID.

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Tom Durnin

Harnessing ITS' potential for positive change

Information Technology Services recently welcomed new Chief Information Officer Tom Durnin, who describes himself as a "technologist" by heart.  

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Sabrina Reed

Publication probes work of Miriam Toews 

English professor Sabrina Reed, PhD, looked into Toews' novels through the lens of trauma and resilience with an eye towards the depiction of mental illness in Canadian literature.

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Announcements

Join in the celebration of research and scholarship at Mount Royal

Celebrate inquiring minds at MRU’s annual Research and Scholarship Days, which continues until April 6. Attend events, review the outstanding work of MRU’s students and get involved in the recognition of the power of research at mru.ca/ResearchDays.

Budget 2023/24 Fiscal Year Approval

The Resource Planning and Client Services team in Financial Services would like to thank everyone who contributed to the preparation of the 2023/24 through 2025/26 budget plan. On March 16, the Board of Governors approved the budget plan, which reflects MRU’s strategic priorities, program expansion, critical infrastructure needs, student financial support, and equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives. For historical financial information, visit MRU’s Annual Report 2021/22

Coming next week: Call for participants to review the EDI training pilot course

The Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion — in partnership with Human Resources, the Mount Royal Faculty Association, the Mount Royal Staff Association and the exempt employee group — is launching a pilot for broad-based (introductory) EDI awareness and skills-building training. They are looking for employees to review the training course and provide feedback. Watch for an email invitation early next week to sign up for the pilot. Please note: Spaces are limited and participation is on a first-come, first-serve basis. The finalized course will launch in the coming months. Learn more.

Icy conditions on campus

With springtime weather, expect icy conditions in some areas of campus due to the freeze-thaw cycle. Tap your foot on potentially slick areas to see if they are slippery and walk as flat-footed as possible. If an area seems dangerous, use an alternate route. Learn more about snow removal on campus.

Check your beneficiaries

Don’t forget to check your insurance beneficiaries at MyMRU.ca/Employee. Under Benefits and Pension in the My HR Profile box, select Benefit Statement, then click on the 'Select’ button on the left-hand side. Beneficiaries will be under the AD&D and Life insurance coverage. Learn more, including how to change your beneficiaries.

Access to campus affected: Richard Road lane closure

A lane closure on Richard Road S.W. along the east side of campus will impact Calgary Transit routes 9, 13, 20, 304 (Max Yellow) and 306 (Max Teal), and westbound traffic through 3 p.m. on Friday, April 7. Learn more at mru.ca/Parking.

More choice in washroom facilities

Two more pairs of multi-user washrooms on campus have been redesignated as all-gender, which means everyone can use them. The locations are in the Riddell Library and Learning Centre (EL1331 and EL1333) and on the first floor of the T-wing (T112 and T116). Learn more about this change for a more equitable and inclusive campus, including the locations of more redesignated washrooms coming in May and June.

Help send kids to MRU Camps

The MRU family knows about the excellent programming provided through MRU Camps, however there are many children in the community whose families cannot afford the program fees. Make a donation to help send these children to camp and gifts will be matched by up to 50 per cent by Shaw Birdies for Kids Presented By AltaLink. Donate through Shaw for a limited time.

Last chance to share your thoughts on philanthropy survey

This survey is an opportunity for you to provide valuable feedback to the Mount Royal University Foundation and help us gain a better understanding of how you see the role of philanthropy evolving on campus. This is your last chance to complete the survey for a chance to win a $100 gift card.

Encourage students to apply for the Library Awards for Research Excellence

Do you know a student who has completed an outstanding project, paper or creative work while attending MRU? Encourage them to apply to this year's Library Awards for Research Excellence for a chance to win cash for their hard work. Over $3,000 in awards are available to students. The deadline to apply is May 9.

New look to Facilities Management's Frontline will be coming April 13

Facilities Management has made upgrades to Frontline, their service request platform. Key features include: simpler request forms, the ability to review submitted requests and more. Learn more about the Frontline upgrade. A service outage will occur from April 6 to April 13. Requests during this time can be emailed to mrufrontline@mtroyal.ca or call 403.440.6417 (24/7). For department-specific training on Frontline, please email mrufrontline@mtroyal.ca.

MRSA professional development 2023 April sessions

Please join the MRSA PD Committee for the second round of PD Sessions, which will take place on April 18, 19 and 20. There will be repeat speakers from the March sessions with a few new additions. The offerings will consist of sessions in the morning, over the lunch hour and in the afternoon, held both virtually and in-person and covering a variety of topics. Participants will be eligible to win a $25 gift card for each session attended, as well as additional prizes and swag from the sponsors. Reserve your spot today.

Spring and summer Recreation program registration opens April 4

Mark your calendars for 8 a.m. on April 4 as spring and summer Recreation program registration opens. Secure your child's spot for summer swim lessons, renew your swim certifications or jump start your fitness journey with workouts at the new HIIT station. Simply visit mrucougars.com to view the upcoming program options, then log in to ePlay on April 4 to register. 

Map the System: MRU campus final 2023

Cheer on MRU students and learn more about a systems approach to social change. The top undergraduate student teams from across the campus will provide a 10-minute presentation of their findings, followed by a Q&A from judges. The winning team will move on to compete at the Canada-wide final in May, with a chance to compete at the global finals at Oxford University in July. The event will also feature a conversation about how systems thinking optimistically reveals opportunity with Andrea Klaiber-Langen, vice-president, Transformation at ATCO. Map the System is made possible through support from ATCO. Register

Join the Ramadan Food Drive through April 14

The Finance and Administration Division invites other areas on campus to join in their Ramadan Food Drive in support of SAMRU’S Campus Food Bank, which provides students with food and hygiene products. Donations can be dropped off at the Cougars Campus Store service counter.

SAMRU Stress Less Week

Students can de-stress during finals with a variety of activities and programs, such as Take-Home Plants and Crafts, an Oxygen Bar, Sound Bath, Exam Relief Snack Carts and more. Check out samru.ca/StressLess to see the full schedule.

Did you know?

Mark your calendars for Spring Convocation. Celebrate the 2023 graduates on May 31, June 1 and 2 at in-person ceremonies. Learn more.

 

MRU in the Media — In case you missed it

MRU Cougars celebrate first national title 

Global News – Tatum Amy, Emma Bergesen, students; Scott Rivett, staff

Boosting the retention of employees when they return from overseas

Forbes – Adam Cave, Michael Roberts, faculty

Calgary top Prairie city for students: report

CityNews  – Shea Ellingham, staff; multiple MRU students

Youth hiring fair looking to connect young Calgarians with summer jobs

Calgary Herald/Calgary Sun – Sarah Imran, director

AI can write essays now — what that means for Calgary universities and colleges

CBC News – Chris Rogerson, director

Mount Royal University, faculty, students and alumni are often featured in the media. To subscribe to the daily MRU Media report, email mediarelations@mtroyal.ca.

 

Bleed Blue

Giuliana Harvie inducted as Research Fellow by INACSL

Dr. Giuliana Harvey, PhD, from the School of Nursing and Midwifery, has been inducted by the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation & Learning (INACSL) as a Research Fellow. Harvey was selected from a competitive pool of applicants by the INASCL Review Committee. 

Policy studies students make their mark at Alberta Intercollegiate Model UN

MRU policy studies students and instructor Saira Bano, PhD, recently attended the Alberta Intercollegiate Model UN at the University of Calgary. Multiple students won awards, including Best Overall Delegation. 

  • Liam Adamson and Sebastian Bennett-Monterroso won the Best Delegation Award

  • Cooper Johnson and Nida Ahmad won the Best Position Paper award 

  • Kevin Petrosenko and Oren Bachand won the Most Accommodating Delegation award 

  • Kofo Odewale earned an Honorable Mention

Woman of Distinction 

Sharmila Ranabhat, administrative assistant to the associate deans, Library, recently received a Woman of Distinction Award from the Honourable Rajan Sawhney, minister of Trade, Immigration and Multiculturalism. Ranabhat also received a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal this year.

 

Events

Catamount Fellowship Community Showcase

Fri., March 31 from 10 a.m. to noon — Online

Join the Catamount Fellows as they share their insights and learnings from using a systems-thinking approach to explore complex social issues facing our communities. Register.

2023 Lightning Talks and Research Recognition Awards

Fri., March. 31 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — Ross Glen Hall

Celebrate the 2023 faculty Research Recognition Award recipients and enjoy Faculty Lightning Talks during this celebratory lunch. Register.

University-Wide Student Poster and Creative Work Research Presentations

Tues., April 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Main Street

Check out all of the participating students’ posters or creative works showcasing their research. 

Introduction to Mendeley

Tues., April 4 from 10 to 11 a.m. — Viz Classroom (EL1441)

Learn how to use Mendeley, a free citation management tool that saves and organizes references and creates bibliographies in the citation style of choice. Register.

Advanced Topics in Biological Anthropology — Conference Panels

Wed., April 5 from 8:30 to 11:20 a.m. — EA1022

Students will present their projects on the topic “Paleodemography of the Holocene.” Program of panels.

Introduction to Zotero

Wed., April 5 from 10 to 11 a.m. — Viz Classroom (EL1441)
Wed., April 5 from 2 to 3 p.m. — Online

Import references into Zotero accounts from a variety of search tools, organize and annotate sources, share references with colleagues and more. Register for the in-person session. Register for the virtual session.

JMH LaunchPad Pitch Competition Finals

Wed., April 5 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Ross Glenn Hall

Students and recent alumni from across campus pitch their venture to a panel of esteemed judges and a supportive audience. Register

Faculty of Business and Communication Studies Research Spotlight: Exploring the Crucial Role of Innovation for Achieving Environmental Sustainability

April 6 from 8:45 to 10 a.m. — EL1441 (Visualization Classroom)

A showcase of the exciting research work of members of MRU's business faculty exploring the critical role of innovation in achieving environmental sustainability. Register.

Map the System: MRU Campus Final

Thurs., April 6 from 9 to 11 a.m. — W330

Top undergraduate student teams present their findings from using a systems-thinking approach to practice changemaking. Register.

Psych 23 Student Showcase

Thurs., April 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — W330

Featuring both psychology honours’ research projects and senior students’ work-integrated learning projects completed in collaboration with community partners. Learn more.

Changemaker Conversations with Celia Lee

Thurs., April 6 from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. — Online

Celia Lee, executive director of Sustainable Calgary, will ignite a spark on rethinking the current work of urban design in the city. Learn more and register

Anthropology Honours Presentation

Thurs., April 6 from 1 to 1:40 p.m. — B341

Maddi Tolmie will present "Religion in a Time of Crisis: An Ethnographic Account of Wiccan Religious Experience During a Global Pandemic" (Supervisor: Mary-Lee Mulholland).

Sociology Honours Presentations

Thurs., April 6 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. — B341

Enjoy three presentations from sociology honours students on topics such as personal pronouns, NIMBY interference in homeless housing services and Alberta’s Mental Health Act.

Faculty of Business and Communication Studies Book Launch: A Celebration of Scholarship and Writing

April 6 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. — EC1060

A showcase of authors from the School of Communication Studies will share a brief introduction to their books and offer insights into the academic research and fiction-publishing process. Register.

 

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.

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