Our Community
Your Mount Royal News
Jan. 11, 2024
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As the winter semester gets underway, it’s time to share information that you need to know as a Mount Royal employee. This special edition of Our Community features updates and resources from areas such as Safety, Risk and Employee Wellness, Financial Services, and Facilities Management in one convenient location that you can refer to as needed.
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Community update on Mount Royal's budget Jan. 22
Join the Office of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic, and Financial Services on Monday, Jan. 22 for a community update on the MRU budget. The purpose of this session is to keep the MRU community informed about the ongoing developments in the institutional budget. There will be a presentation outlining key aspects of the budget and budgeting process, followed by time for questions and answers. Watch your inbox for more details this week.
Year-end info sessions in February
Mark your calendar to attend Financial Services’ year-end 2023-2024 information sessions scheduled for Feb. 1 and 13. The Finance calendar on myMRU has information and registration links. You will only need to attend one session. Sessions to include discussions on:
- Your role in financial reporting and readiness
- Timelines, deadlines, and critical dates
- Reserves (internally restricted funds)
Please contact your finance business partner if you have any questions and share this message to those that you think may benefit from the sessions.
MRU's electronic tendering system
The Procurement Services team continues to strive in acquiring the best overall value of goods and services through a competitive bidding process by ensuring a seamless experience for vendors bidding on your RFPs. The team uses Bonfire to manage competitive bid processes, evaluations and vendor performance. Contact purchasing@mtroyal.ca to learn more.
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Employee Wellness: Focus on living a healthier life
Employee Wellness provides programs, resources and services to help employees lead healthier lives, both in and out of the workplace. Our mission is to create a culture of wellness that meets the unique needs of our employees by providing opportunities for connection, learning and support.
- Become a Wellness Champion
Employee Wellness is looking for Wellness Champions to help bring forward ideas for events on campus as well as act as conduits to take information back to departments. Wellness Champions will meet quarterly, starting in the spring. Please talk to your manager about this opportunity and then reach out to Employee Wellness if you are interested.
- Improve your financial health
In January, Wellness Wednesday events will focus on financial health. Learn more about the mortgage renewal and qualification process at the Jan. 17 webinar Mortgages in an Ever-Changing Financial Landscape. Join us in person in EC2010 on Jan. 24 for the Your Health and Your Wealth session presented by Sun Life. Our final financial webinar on Jan. 31, Inner Economics: cultivating an empowered relationship to money, explores how to make confident financial decisions in ambiguous times.
- Meditation Mondays
Join our Employee Wellness team for in person Meditation Mondays, 30 minutes weekly dedicated to tuning into the breath, quieting the mind and sound immersion. Sessions in U111 will be guided by Stacy Bliss. Register now.
- Get help navigating mental health resources
Sun Life, Mount Royal’s benefits provider, offers a mental health coach program that helps you understand what resources you have available to you and where to start. This additional resource — which is not required to access supports through Sun Life or Inkblot Therapy, Mount Royal’s Employee and Family Assistance Program — is in addition to benefit coverage for eligible employees.
Environmental Health and Safety updates
Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) is dedicated to fostering a Mount Royal community that incorporates health and safety at work, at home and as part of the community through conversation, discussion, example and mentorship. Here are some updates:
- Feeling sick? Please stay home
If you are sick, please stay home. It is the best way to limit the spread of illness in the Mount Royal community and the best place for you to rest and recover. If you feel able to work from home while ill, please speak with your supervisor/manager to determine your ability to do so. If you are unable to work, discuss the appropriate leave as per the Collective Agreement or Terms and Conditions of your employment with your supervisor/manager.
- Walking (safely) in a winter wonderland
With Calgary's freeze/thaw cycle, there are times when even areas that have been cleared of snow can be slippery. Please be aware of your environment and use good judgment when you’re walking on campus. Wear appropriate footwear, keep your arms free and if a route looks unsafe, take another one. Learn more about Mount Royal’s response to winter conditions on campus.
- Fire drill Tuesday, Jan. 23
A practice fire drill on Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 10 a.m. will take up to 30 minutes. The drill includes an evacuation of all Lincoln Park campus buildings except Residence. Everyone must participate in this important safety exercise. Your cooperation is appreciated. Use the MRU Now app (iOS and Android) for fast notifications. Learn more.
- Contributing to safety on campus
As an employee, you have an important role to play in campus safety. We all have the responsibility to keep ourselves and our co-workers safe. If you see something or someone doing something unsafe — whether it’s a tripping hazard, a dangerous work practice or abusive language — report it to your manager, the required department and/or Environmental Health and Safety. Learn more.
Risk
What to do in an emergency
In a campus emergency, employees, students and visitors need to respond safely and quickly. Visit mru.ca/Emergency for more information about Mount Royal’s emergency notification system and procedures.
MRU Now is the University’s official mobile safety app
Download the MRU Now app on your mobile device to be notified during campus emergencies or other time-sensitive events such as power outages, severe weather and evacuation drills. You can also use MRU Now to report safety concerns or incidents, connect with Security Services, request SafeWalk and more.
Security
See something, say something
If you notice an injury/incident, safety concern or suspicious behaviour, contact Security Services via phone (403.440.5900 for emergencies, 403.440.6897 for non-emergency support). The MRU Now mobile app allows you to connect with Security Services for non-emergency concerns. Learn more and download the app.
SafeWalk is here for you
SafeWalk is available 24/7 on campus to escort you to where you’re going, whether it’s the bus stop, an office or your vehicle. It’s confidential, convenient and available to all students and employees.
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Hybrid Work Program in effect
For employees wishing to continue working a hybrid schedule, the Hybrid Work Program officially launched on Jan. 1, 2024. All MRSA, Exempt and leaders up to the Director-level are eligible to participate in the program with manager approval. In order to participate, employees must complete several forms including a new Hybrid Work Program Application form and Hybrid Work Agreement. Information on the program and forms can be found here.
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Get updates on EDI at Mount Royal
Stay up-to-date on what’s happening with the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (OEDI) with our new mailing list. Subscribe to receive updates on events and opportunities to get involved with EDI on campus. Sign up now.
Work underway on the EDIA Strategic Plan
The EDIA (equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility) strategic planning process will begin in the coming weeks. The EDIA strategic plan will operationalize MRU’s EDI goals, strategic priorities and initiatives in the 2023-2030 University Strategic Plan and the 2023-2030 Academic Plan. To learn more, attend EDI Conversations that Matter: Embedding EDI in the institutional strategies on Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 1 p.m. RSVP.
Access application resources to apply to the EDI Opportunity Fund
Mount Royal students and employees can apply for funds to promote EDIA on campus through the MRU EDI Opportunity Fund with up to $10,000 to support an initiative or project. The next application deadline is Jan. 22. Apply as an individual, group, or on behalf of a student club, faculty, or department (with leader approval). Employee applicants are encouraged to bring in student collaborators as key members of your project team. Learn more, including answers to frequently asked questions and templates to help plan proposals.
EDI Community of Practice & Student Leadership Group
EDI leaders and enthusiasts are invited to join our EDI Community of Practice, an initiative where we can get to know one another, share best practices, generate new and innovative ideas, and hear from you how the EDI Office can best support you. Contact lcole1@mtroyal.ca to learn more.
Sign up now for Mount Royal's EDI training course
Have you completed the University’s broad-based (introductory) EDI awareness and skills building training course? Find instructions and credentials for accessing the course in the Employee Training area of myMRU.ca. In addition to your thoughts on the course, we welcome your input on additional training, including future offerings on more advanced EDI topics.
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Training course in support of indigenization available to all employees
The 4 Seasons of Reconciliation is a bilingual online resource that promotes a renewed relationship between Indigenous Peoples and Canadians through transformative and engaging anti-racism education. This course offers self-paced online modules with award-winning films, slideshows, videos, quizzes and a completion certificate from First Nations University of Canada. To register, email prodev@mtroyal.ca.
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Contribute to a clean, comfortable campus
If you notice a caretaking issue, let Environmental Services know by:
Free period products on campus
Free period products are now available in the women’s, all-gender and single-user washrooms on campus. This access means more members of our campus community can focus on and succeed in our mission of learning, teaching and information sharing rather than worrying about paying for or finding period products. Learn more.
More choice in campus washroom facilities
Permanent signage for multi-user washrooms has been installed. We are in the process of adding signage on the location of gender-specific washrooms. Learn more about this change for a more equitable and inclusive campus, including the locations of all-gender washrooms.
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