Announcements
New legislation replaces FOIP Act
The Government of Alberta repealed the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the FOIP Act) on June 11, 2025. This Act was replaced with two new pieces of legislation:
- The Alberta Access to Information Act (the ATIA), and
- The Alberta Protection of Privacy Act (the POPA)
While many aspects of the new Acts are similar to the FOIP Act, this legislative change will have impacts on how the University manages identifiable personal information in its routine operations. The MRU Privacy Office will be addressing changes in operational practices and will be reaching out to impacted departments over the next year. We will also keep the community updated as cross-institutional changes are launched. Additional information is available on the MRU Access & Privacy website and questions can be directed to foip@mtroyal.ca.
New! Employee Learning System is live
Mount Royal’s new Employee Learning System is now live. The first phase of this easy-to-use system houses some of your required training in one convenient location and allows you to keep track of any outstanding training. Learn more on the HR Info Hub.
G-wing update: Main Street washrooms closed
As part of the G-wing renovation project, the washrooms along Level 2 of Main Street are closed and the washrooms on Level 1 will be closed starting the week of June 30. These closures are expected to remain in place for approximately one year. To help you find nearby options, including accessible and all-gender washrooms, visit mru.ca/Washrooms for a searchable campus map. Look for signage to guide you to the closest facilities in the near future.
Summer hours
Summer hours come into effect Tuesday, July 1 (which is the Canada Day holiday) and run through Thursday, 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.
Yahoo! Stampede Parade morning holiday
The morning of the Calgary Stampede Parade, 8:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, July 4, 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/vacation in your timesheet.
Banff Systems Summit a success
From May 19 to 22, the Institute for Community Prosperity hosted the Banff Systems Summit, bringing together 165 participants from across Canada and beyond. The summit explored real-world applications of systems thinking through plenaries, panels, workshops, land-based walkabouts, cultural feasting and networking. The diverse group included students, Calgary-based artists, Indigenous Peoples and changemakers from various sectors. Read more.
Crane on campus June 28
On Saturday, June 28, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., a crane will be on campus to lift materials onto the roof near the exit doors of the main loading dock, opposite Wyckham House. We anticipate no impact to the campus community during this time.
Summer parking lot and road improvements
Improvements to parking lots around campus will be made over the next two weeks. Resurfacing on Lot 1 and Lot 4 is progressing as scheduled and these lots are expected to re-open early in July. Additional smaller projects will be taking place around campus between June 23 and July 6. This will include repairing large potholes at various locations, adding a sidewalk leading into Lot B and adding an accessible sidewalk from Lot 4 leading towards Wyckham House. Please drive with caution during this time. Visit the Parking and Transportation Services website for more info.
ITS update: Banner upgrade July 18 to 20
Access to course registration and fee payments, among other services, will be unavailable from 4 p.m. on Friday, July 18, to 10 p.m. on Sunday, July 20, due to a Banner Admin and Banner Self-Service upgrade. Google Suite (email, Drive access, etc.) and D2L are not affected.
AI Steering Group launched
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the way we teach, learn, conduct research and carry out day-to-day operations. To ensure that MRU continues to navigate this evolving landscape in a way that is responsible, co-ordinated and values-driven, we are pleased to announce the formation of an AI Steering Group. This new group will provide strategic guidance, draft a university-wide framework and principles for the ethical and effective use of AI, and collaborate with existing groups like the Generative AI in Teaching and Learning Working Group and campus Communities of Practice. A first draft of an institutional framework will be shared this fall for input from across campus. Read more.
Measles: Vaccination matters
Help prevent measles through vaccination. Ensure you and your family are up-to-date by checking vaccination records and, if needed, with the free MMR vaccine available in Alberta. Learn more.
Office of Community and Belonging
Mount Royal University’s Office of Community and Belonging seeks to create a healthy campus where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed. We work with students and employees to foster Mount Royal’s commitment to belonging and community engagement through collaborative strategies, policies, evidence-based best practices and programs. Our evolving name reflects these goals, shifts in terminology and language and our new alignment within the Division of Community Engagement. Learn more.
The 7th International GNPHN Conference
The 7th International Global Network of Public Health Nursing Conference, jointly hosted by Mount Royal and the University of Calgary (supported by Tourism Calgary), is happening July 28 to 30. This prestigious event will bring together public health professionals from around the world. Learn more.
Celebrating outstanding undergraduate research
The Library is proud to recognize the recipients of the 2024/2025 Library Awards for Research Excellence, celebrating exceptional student work across diverse disciplines. This year’s winning projects explore ADHD content on TikTok, postwar motherhood in BC and athletic performance in collegiate sports. Congratulations to Alyssa Peppler, Renee Leitch, Fatima Bhanji and Bella Brunet. Learn more about their winning projects.
Vote for MRU!
Event and Theatre Services has been nominated for an Event Planner's Choice Award through Unique Venues. Everyone is able to vote once a day until the contest closes. Find MRU in the second category: Best Client Experience. Vote now.
Register for the Teaching and Learning Expo
Explore educational innovation and best practices at the Teaching and Learning Expo happening Aug. 25 to 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Riddell Library and Learning Centre and Jenkins Theatre. Be inspired by colleagues' teaching methods, imagine transformative learning environments and ignite a passion for educational excellence. Dr. Samanti Kulatilake, PhD, will open with a keynote on the joy, impact and power of experiential learning. Learn more and register.
Employee Wellness events in June and July
Zumba classes are happening on Thursdays in June and July from 12:05 to 12:55 p.m. at the Transcanada Amphitheatre. A four-week series of tennis lessons begins July 9 from 12 to 1 p.m. at the campus tennis courts. Tennis registration is currently full, but please contact employeewellness@mtroyal.ca to be added to the waitlist. Learn more and register.