Announcements
Indigenous Honouring Ceremony and Convocation next week
Next week marks one of the most exciting times on campus as our students make the transition to post-secondary graduates. The celebrations begin with the Indigenous Honouring Ceremony on Tuesday, May 30, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Bella Concert Hall. All are welcome, so please come out for this wonderful ceremony if you are able. Register here.
Support for various roles during the Convocation ceremonies (gown pinning, ushers, etc.) is still needed for afternoons through June 2. Please email Courtney Montgomery if you can help.
Photos with the president
MRU’s president and vice-provost, Tim Rahilly, PhD, is once again offering “photos with the president” for family members of employees who are graduating this year. Rahilly will congratulate your grad and offer the chance for photos to be taken on personal cameras. This opportunity will be available for five minutes at the end of each ceremony at the bottom of the stage. If you are interested, please send an email to president@mtroyal.ca with the full name of your grad and the ceremony they will be attending. This will help us know who to expect. You will be responsible for relaying plans to your grad.
MRU granted Quality Assurance Audit Status and Delegated New Program Approval Status by Campus Alberta Quality Council (CAQC)
The Delegated New Program Approval Status enables MRU to conduct independent institutional reviews of proposals for new degree programs, based on which the CAQC would recommend a program for approval by the Ministry. This has an immediate impact on MRU's pending Bachelor of Science — Data Science and Bachelor of Aviation Management proposals. The CAQC noted "the strength of the quality assurance system" and the "thorough application of best practices in completing the program cyclical reviews," which led to Mount Royal being the first institution in Alberta beyond the Comprehensive and Academic Research Universities to achieve QA audit status. “While these CAQC decisions warrant university-wide recognition, we offer a special acknowledgment to those who took the lead in writing the application for institutional audit status, including Gaye Warthe and Cheryl Melatdoost, and those who advocated for the application in conversations with the CAQC, including Liz Evans, Mike Quinn and Evan Cortens. Thank you as well to the many others who helped in developing and supporting the application,” says Dr. Chad London, PhD, provost and vice-president, academic.
Journey to Indigenization call for presentations
Since 2021, the Office of Indigenization and Decolonization (OID), in partnership with the Iniskim Centre, has hosted a series of institutional activities occurring annually from Sept. 22 to Oct. 4. During MRU’s Journey to Indigenization, we commemorate the signing of Treaty 7, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Orange Shirt Day and Sisters in Spirit Day. The OID wants to showcase, share and collect the indigenization and decolonization work happening across campus or in the community. If you are interested in presenting your project, work or research, or would like to be a session moderator, please complete this form.
RSVP for the Summer Block Party
RSVP and drop by to connect with colleagues and friends on Thursday, June 8, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the TransCanada Amphitheatre before summer officially starts for some sunshine and sweet treats. The afternoon will be a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the work we do to help students achieve their goals and how the University plays a role in their success. Thank you for your ongoing support of MRU students and for being a part of this amazing community. Hope you can join in the fun. Sign up here.
Advance polling on campus today
An on-campus advance poll is open until 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 25, on the second floor of Wyckham House. Electors may choose to vote at any advance polling location with the Vote Anywhere Service. Learn more, including how to prove your identity and current address in order to vote.
Alumni Classroom Takeover for fall 2023
Applications are open to have an alumni take over your classroom this fall. This year, the Alumni Classroom Takeover will run in October and March with the hopes of offering more alumni opportunities to meaningfully give back to MRU. Faculty can sign up today to have passionate alumni inspire your students.
Creating a positive culture of acceptance and inclusion
Join the next Wellness Wednesday session on June 14 at 10 a.m. as Employee Wellness supports the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion with an online session on Creating a Positive Culture of Acceptance and Inclusion. Learn how you can contribute to an environment where employees feel safe, valued and respected. Learn more and register.
Save your pals from a bad bite: report a phish!
When you alert Information Technology Services about a phishing attempt, you are protecting your colleagues and the University. Learn more about how to report these malicious emails and how doing so helps others.
Have Crucial Conversations
If you’re not getting the results you want, it’s likely that an important conversation hasn’t happened or hasn’t been handled well. Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue, a workshop that takes place over four half-days in June, gives you the tools to hold conversations in a way that promotes healthy relationships and that can yield better results. Learn more.
Charting your course: Get tools to create your financial plan
Planning for the future isn’t always easy, let alone planning for retirement. In this two-day workshop, you (and your partner) can learn more about your finances, set financial priorities and receive professional advice on implementing a plan. The virtual workshop, which is for those aged 45 and under, takes place on June 20 and 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn more.
Check your beneficiaries
Don’t forget to check your life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment beneficiaries at MyMRU.ca/Employee. Select Employee Self-Serve then scroll down and under Pay Information choose ‘Benefits’ and then ‘Beneficiaries and Dependents.' Beneficiaries can be changed at any time.
New Google Analytics
Emails from Google Analytics have been landing in some staff mailboxes announcing the launch of Google Analytics 4 (GA4). No action is required as GA4 is set up and collecting data. Please contact Rob Petrollini if you have any questions.
Help send kids to MRU Camps
Every year MRU Camps removes financial barriers for families in need through their bursary program. This donor-funded program means more students have access to these transformative experiences. You can help send a kid to camp by supporting MRU Camp bursaries and, thanks to Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink, your donation will be matched up to 50 per cent. Donate today and make a child's summer special.
Did you know?
Dell’s Parents and Grads Gifting Season is upon us. Members can save on the perfect gift for that new graduate or upgrade mom and dad's tech by requesting your exclusive members’ purchase plan coupon for an extra discount. Request your coupon at www.dell.ca/mpp/myroyal then shop online using the link in your email.