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June 6, 2024

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Driven. Meticulous. Leader.

Soon-to-be alumna Emily Trew will graduate with a Bachelor of Science — General Science and says that her time at MRU has allowed her to become the best version of herself. 

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Determined. Unwavering. Empathetic.

Luciana Peixoto is graduating with her second degree from MRU — a Bachelor of Arts — Psychology (Honours) and refused to let personal challenges hinder her time at Mount Royal. 

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Inquisitive. Down-to-earth. Builder.

Public relations graduate Jonas MacLaurin began in Indigenous University Bridging Program and commits to sharing more Indigenous-centred communications in his profession.

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Academic. Athlete. 
Aide. 

Student-athlete Connor Blake is completing his physical literacy studies and leaving his Cougars hockey chapter behind as he preps to play with the Adirondack Thunder.

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Bright. Industrious. Supportive. 

Meet Bianca Veltri, an upcoming alumna who will graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration — Finance and is continuing on with her successful startup, Hive.

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Creative. Ambitous. Exceptional.

Graduating with a Bachelor of Physical Education — Sport and Recreation Management, Riley Varhaug says that the greatest lesson learned at MRU was how to leverage his assets.

Read more ...

 

Announcements

Indigenous Honouring Ceremonies

 

Everyone is welcome to celebrate MRU’s Indigenous graduating students who have worked hard and committed to their academic journey to get to where they are today. Indigenous Honouring Ceremonies take place on June 11 from 9 a.m to noon. Register now

 

 

 

Convocation Ceremonies

 

Employees are encouraged to attend the 2024 Convocation Ceremonies held between June 12 to June 14, with celebrations taking place in the triple gymnasium. Please work with your supervisor if you wish to attend this years convocation and support our graduates as the reach this milestone and prepare to make an impact in the world.

 

 

Journey to Indigenization: Call for presentations and moderators

 

MRU's Journey to Indigenization commemorates the signing of Treaty 7, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Orange Shirt Day and Sisters in Spirit Day with a series of institutional activities from Friday, Sept. 20 to Friday, Oct. 4. Consider presenting your project, work or research or being a moderator. Express your interest to present by Friday, June 14.

 

Summer hours start July 1

 

Summer operating hours come into effect Monday, July 1 (which is the Canada Day holiday) and run through Wednesday, Aug. 14. The regular operating hours for most departments will be 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a 30-minute lunch break. Exceptions are necessary for some departments, and leaders will communicate those exceptions with their teams as needed.

 

 

Wyckham House Food Court — Updated hours for June

Please note that the Wyckham House Food Court will operate with adjusted June hours. The core hours of service will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday. West Gate Social will be open from noon to 4 p.m. during the week until June 21, serving pizza by the slice. We look forward to seeing you during those times. Email l.belliveau@samru.ca with any questions.

 

Yahoo! Stampede Parade morning is a holiday

 

The morning — 8:30 a.m. to noon — of the Calgary Stampede Parade on Friday, July 5 is a paid holiday for all Mount Royal employees. If your regular hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (summer hours), you’re expected to work the balance of the day (12:30 to 4 p.m.). If you’d like to take off the rest of Parade Day, please get approval from your supervisor and report the 3.5 hours as leave or vacation in your timesheet.

 

Chrome River survey 

The Chrome River expense system was introduced at MRU in September 2017, almost seven years ago. It’s time for a refresh and we would like your input to enhance the Chrome River user experience. You can fill out this survey or take part in a focus group by emailing chromeriver@mtroyal.ca. Learn more (portlet at the bottom of the page).

 

New Protocol and Engagement Support Initiative

The Office of Indigenization and Decolonization (OID) introduces the Protocol and Engagement Support Initiative, which offers up to $500 in funding and non-financial support for campus indigenization and decolonization initiatives. Faculty and contract faculty can apply for ceremonial gifting support to engage Elders, knowledge keepers, drummers, artists, guest speakers and more. Apply anytime as the application process is ongoing. Learn more how you can advance meaningful change.

 

Fiscal year-end community update

 

Mount Royal University has received a clean audit report and an unqualified audit opinion for the 2023-24 fiscal year. This means our financial statements are accurate, without significant issues or errors, and trustworthy. We ended the 2023-24 fiscal year with a consolidated annual operating surplus of $14.8 million. The Board of Governors has approved a recommendation by Finance and Administration for $10 million of this surplus to fund University strategic priorities. Learn more.

 

 

 

Research and Scholarship Plan

 

The 2024-2030 Research and Scholarship Plan was approved by the General Faculties Council on May 17, 2024. The Research and Scholarship Plan serves as a blueprint for building a scholarly community that is actively engaged in reimagining the learning experience, innovating beyond the classroom, nurturing a culture of curiosity and celebrating success through knowledge mobilization. Learn more.

 

Annual space audit underway 

Over the next three months, Facilities Management staff will be entering all rooms on campus to update space information. Pictures may be taken to record the condition of finishes, furniture layouts and equipment. Please secure sensitive information. Email fm@mtroyal.ca with any questions. Learn more and view a tentative schedule.

 

Campus closure June 15 and 16 for electrical maintenance shutdown

 

The main campus building, including A-wing and Recreation, will be closed from 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 15 to 6 a.m. on Sunday, June 16 due to the electrical shutdown. The remaining buildings on campus will be without power from 11:30 p.m. until 6 a.m. on Sunday. Office fridges will be without power and remote VPN will not be available. Remote PC power downs and power ups will be managed with the help of ITS as needed. Email fm@mtroyal.ca with any questions.

 

 

 

Complete your cybersecurity training by June 15

All employees have until June 15 to complete the annual cybersecurity awareness training. Once you log into the training platform with your MRU workstation credentials, you will see any training modules assigned to you. Simply click on the first module to get started or click the 'Start Assignment' button. Contact the IT Training Security Analyst at 403.440.6329 or email securityawareness@mtroyal.ca with any questions.  

Plan now to use your time by June 30

All staff and exempt employees are urged to work with their managers to plan and schedule to use any accumulated time from 2023. As per Article 25.3 (g) of the MRSA collective agreement, any remaining overtime hours or accumulated hours as of June 30 from the previous calendar year will be paid out in full on the last pay period of July (July 23, 2024 pay). This process also applies to all exempt staff.

Bargaining update

For updates on the meetings between the Board and the MRSA negotiating committees, visit mru.ca/Bargaining. Meetings between the Board and MRFA negotiating committee are on hiatus until the fall.

 

EDIA Strategic Plan — process and current status update 

The Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is committed to advancing the goals and direction of the University Strategic Plan regarding equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA). The EDIA Strategic Plan webpage has been updated with new information detailing the six phases of the strategic planning process and the current status. Read more to stay informed and engaged with the future of EDIA on campus.

 

How much do you know about MRU Camps?

 

Did you know that students make up the majority of MRU Camps counsellors? In 2023, one instructor said, “As a university student in education, this job has allowed me to grow my confidence and skills working with a curriculum and colleagues that have the same passion and drive to teach and inspire children.” MRU Camps offers an employee-centric work culture with integrated professional development, leadership and training opportunities.

 

 

Don’t forget about Dad

Celebrate the dads in your life by gifting themed mugs, tees, hoodies and hats this Father's Day. Shop now

 

Dell’s summer savings on now

 

Shop through MRU’s Member Purchase Program and receive an additional 5% off. Request your coupon at www.dell.ca/mpp/myroyal by filling in your Mount Royal email address to shop online. 

 

MRU in the Media — In case you missed it

Former Global Calgary anchor Gord Gillies being honoured with MRU Doctor of Laws degree

Global News –- Gord Gillies, Eleanor Chiu, Wayne Chiu, Charles Osuji, Ron Ghitter, Lois Mitchell; 2024 HD recipients, Chad London, Acting President and Provost

 

 

Amy Nixon: drawing on legal and athletic excellence at Mount Royal University

Canadian Lawyer Magazine –- Amy Nixon, General Counsel and University Secretary

 

New option for Albertans without high school diploma

City News –- Sarah Hamilton, faculty

 

Breaking down the stereotypes: Kim Valleau’s ride to success

 

PGA of Canada –- Kim Valleau, alum

 

How embracing the cringe can help your dating life

The Conversation –- Gio Dolcecore, faculty 

 

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

Please vote in the NSERC Science Exposed Competition

Honours biology student Emily Kingdon, associate professor Adrienne Benediktsson, PhD, and CMB laboratory instructor Ava Zare, PhD, are among the 20 finalists in NSERC's 2024 Science Exposed competition. The image is called "Cellular Cosmos" and was produced by Kingdon in BIOL 4101 — Advanced Cellular and Molecular Biology in Fall 2023. Kingdon wanted her instructors to share authorship on the image because of their guidance on the staining and imaging techniques she used. The public can vote for their favourite image until Sept. 22, 2024. Please support your MRU community and vote now.

 

New book by Dr. Pat Kostouros now available

Child and Youth Mental Health in Canada, Cases From Front-Line Settings, edited by Dr. Pat Kostouros, PhD, and colleagues, is now available. Written by scholars and professionals in the field, each chapter presents a unique perspective as it probes into the specific concerns and complications observed in different settings of front-line practice. Kostouros is a Bachelor of Child Studies professor at MRU.

 

Events

Featured event

MRU Conservatory presents Words! Words! Words!

This exciting concert for the speech arts and drama students of the MRU Conservatory will showcase a program that includes everything from children’s verse, modern and classic narratives, folk tales, slam poetry and scenes from Shakespeare. Come out to the Bella Concert Hall on June 10 at 7 p.m. to support our students and engage with the MRU community for this unique and novel event. Get tickets now.


Check out all the events happening in and around campus on our new events calendar.

 

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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