Archive for Joey Coleman and Erin Millar
Fanshawe party-goers face 300 more charges
Police officer, cat reportedly assaulted during second frosh weekend
Police laid an additional 300 charges over the weekend as students and non-students continue to bring mayhem to the community surrounding London’s Fanshawe College.
These charges are in addition to over 290 charges last week. (Read our coverage here.)
The most serious incident of the weekend occurred overnight Saturday morning when a witness reported a cat being severely kicked by a drunk male. The cat’s injuries were so severe that Animal Control had to euthanize the animal. A 19-year-old man, Jeffrey Kloosterboer, of Flesherton is charged in the incident. Kloosterboer is not a student at Fanshawe College.
In a separate incident, a plainclothes police officer required back-up after being assaulted while patrolling the area surrounding Fanshawe College.
In an incredibly vague statement posted on its website, Fanshawe College said, “A number of strategies were identified during summer meetings and additional strategies have been implemented as the result of incidents.”
The trouble started last week as parties got out of control, leading to a number of piles of garbage left from students unpacking were lit on fire. The fire department was called at least six times.
To add insult to injury, people pelted the fire department with beer bottles in an attempt to prevent the dousing of fires. The London Free Press reported Wednesday that a fire fuelled by old furniture was so intense, the city had to replace damaged pavement.
Police will be continuing to patrol the areas surrounding the both the college and the University of Western Ontario in force as they attempt to gain control of the area.
Ontario’s part-time college staff to get bargaining rights
Public Sector Union says it comes “with a high price tag”
The Ontario government introduced legislation today which will allow the province’s over 17,000 part-time and sessional college workers to unionize.
The changes to the Colleges Collective Bargaining Act (CCBA) will remove provision that forbid part-time college workers from unionizing. The bill will also allow colleges to use replacement workers in the event of a labour dispute.
Last summer, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled there is a constitutional right to unionize making Ontario’s ban on unionization for part-time college workers unconstitutional.
In response, the government appointed Kevin Whitaker, Chair of the Ontario Labour Relations Board, to make recommendations on changing the CCBA. The legislation tabled today will implement those recommendations.
“A healthy and robust collective bargaining process serves the interests of students, college employers and workers. The Ontario government’s proposed legislation encourages all parties in the college sector to take greater responsibility for finding solutions to workplace challenges,” said Whitaker.
Thousands of college part-time workers have signed union cards to join Ontario’s largest public sector union, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).
OPSEU says the legislation comes with a high price tag. The union is unhappy with provisions allowing colleges to use other workers in the event of a labour disruption. “It is pretty outrageous that this government thinks that recognizing the Charter rights of one group of workers means that another group of workers must give something up,” said OPSEU president Warren (Smokey) Thomas.
However, the union is calling on all parties to fast-track the legislation.
“Make no mistake about it, we want this bill passed into law as soon as possible,” says Thomas. “But we are definitely looking for changes to be made.”
Although consistent statistics are not readily available in Canada, it has been estimated that over one-half of college faculty in Ontario are part-timers. In the U.S., where more accurate statistics are published, 47.5 per cent of faculty were part-time in 2005, up from 46.3 per cent in 2003. Evidence seems to suggest that the trend is mirrored in Canada. The latest StatsCan data(from 1997-98)shows 10 per cent growth since 1990 while full time positions decreased.
These professors are paid a fraction of their fulltime counterparts, on a class-by-class basis. Part-time university professors receive between $6,000 and $13,000 per course depending on the institution and college sessionals make even less. They generally do not have benefits, pensions, or job security.
Student’s lie locks down university
Appalachian State University was locked down Monday after a student said that an armed intruder had tried to break into his apartment before running towards campus — a claim that he later admitted was a lie. In an effort to avoid paying for damage on his apartment door, he made up the story, complete with [...]
Appalachian State University was locked down Monday after a student said that an armed intruder had tried to break into his apartment before running towards campus — a claim that he later admitted was a lie.
In an effort to avoid paying for damage on his apartment door, he made up the story, complete with the detail of the assailant’s Pink Floyd t-shirt. It wasn’t until Tuesday morning, after a series of TV appearances, that he admitted the hoax.
Berkley seeks restraining order against animal activists
University of California at Berkley is hoping to quiet the animal rights activists that have been hosting spirited protests outside the homes of researchers during the last two months. University officials plan to seek restraining orders against the demonstrators, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. A spokesperson for the university called the protesters “domestic [...]
University of California at Berkley is hoping to quiet the animal rights activists that have been hosting spirited protests outside the homes of researchers during the last two months. University officials plan to seek restraining orders against the demonstrators, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.
A spokesperson for the university called the protesters “domestic terrorists.” The activists are arguing that the protests are “legal.”
Newspaper reports have claimed that rocks have been thrown through windows, flower pots smashed, and noise has continued late into the night outside the homes.
Expulsion for Facebook cheating?
A Ryerson student may be expelled for setting up Facebook study group
A Ryerson University student is facing possible expulsion for sharing homework tips with other students on Facebook. First-year student Chris Avenir has been accused of cheating for setting up a Facebook group where 146 engineering students discussed homework assignments worth 10 per cent of their mark, the Toronto Star reports.
“All these students are scared shitless now about using Facebook to talk about schoolwork, when actually it’s no different than any study group working together on homework in a library,” students’ union advocacy rep Kim Neale told the Star.
Avenir is the only student charged with cheating in relation to this case. He says that the conversation on the group mirrored what the students would discuss in the study hall. “But if this kind of help is cheating, then so is tutoring and all the mentoring programs the university runs and the discussions we do in tutorials,” he said
Cape Breton students “shocked” by CFS’ silence over ed program
The Cape Breton Students’ Union is angry at the Canadian Federation of Students (Canada’s biggest student lobby group) for not showing up at their recent rally. The union organized a rally with students, residents, university administrators and politicians to raise awareness about controversial recommendations from a provincial education panel. “We would have at least expected [...]
The Cape Breton Students’ Union is angry at the Canadian Federation of Students (Canada’s biggest student lobby group) for not showing up at their recent rally. The union organized a rally with students, residents, university administrators and politicians to raise awareness about controversial recommendations from a provincial education panel.
“We would have at least expected that our provincial representation would have voiced concern over the recommendations of the education panel, but they remained silent,” said CBUSU President Ian Lindsay in a release. “This is an example of a student issue that can unite administrators, politicians, community members and business people, but, for some reason or another, the CFS did not attend or even pass along words of support.”
The students’ union believes that the CFS’ move was retaliation. The students’ union has been pushing for a democratic review of the provincial and federal chapters of the CFS.
Cape Breton students will vote in a referendum this month on whether to continue as members in the CFS.
ANSSA also concerned about PSE research
Will the disappearance of Millennium’s research further erode national PSE leadership?
Paris Meilleur over at the Alliance of Nova Scotia Student Associations has publicly added her voice to those concerned about the loss of the Millennium Scholarship Foundation research.
As reported here, the Foundation will be replaced next year by the Canada Student Loan Program. But the research that has been done by the Foundation was not mentioned when the government announced the change.
Meilleur, like a lot of other people, is concerned about this. In a blog post on the ANSSA website, she writes, “Thank goodness Millennium has been around to assert early outreach as essential in PSE policy. But that never should have been their responsibility in the first place. They were filling the research, policy and creativity vacuum that exists in Canada around PSE policy because of a continued lack of federal leadership on the topic. And now that Millennium’s research funding has not been renewed, it doesn’t look good for those concerned with learning more about access and how to create meaningful programs and policies that can address all of the access barriers.”
Arizona considers allowing guns on campus
15 states are considering similar law changes
In an effort to prevent campus shootings like the recent North Illinois tragedy, Arizona State is considering a bill that would allow concealed guns on campuses.
The bill is being sponsored by Senator Karen S. Johnson and has been approved the Senate Judiciary Committee. It would allow people with concealed weapons permits to carry them at public colleges and universities.
Johnson believes that because police are too slow to respond to campus shootings, arming students and professors could limit the number of deaths in similar situations.
According to the New York Times, she originally wanted the bill to cover all schools. But she’s since backed off to just colleges and universities. “I feel like our kindergarteners are are sitting there like sitting ducks,” she was quoted as saying.
15 other states have pending legislation changes that would allow guns on campus. Utah is the only state with a law specifically permitting guns on campus.
The great advertising heist
York accuses the Globe of stealing their ad strategy
York University’s marketing department has had just about enough of the Globe and Mail stealing their signature advertising concept, according to the Financial Post. The Post reports that the two parties are negotiating over what York is arguing is the theft of their advertising strategy.
The ads in dispute are from the recently launched Globe campaign that shows a graphic (a chicken, gun, and so on) with three text bubbles describing different ways sections in the newspaper would approach the topic.
York is arguing that the ads too closely resemble their longtime ad strategy. York’s ads have a similar graphic with three lines describing how different academic departments would study the topic. (They even have a chicken.)
Academica Group — that, among other things, works with universities on recruitment and marketing initiatives — put together a nice photo montage of the ads. And since the Globe allegedly stole the idea from York, and Academica borrowed the images from both, we reasoned that it was only fair for us to filch Academica’s version. Here it is:
Campus Pick: How to cover a student election
Maclean’s On Campus gives props to Wassim Garzouzi for probably the best student union election coverage in the country. Garzouzi has been single-handedly running a daily (sometimes hourly) blog detailing every aspect of the elections for the student union at the University of Ottawa. Garzouzi has provided an exhaustive guide on how to win a [...]
Maclean’s On Campus gives props to Wassim Garzouzi for probably the best student union election coverage in the country. Garzouzi has been single-handedly running a daily (sometimes hourly) blog detailing every aspect of the elections for the student union at the University of Ottawa. Garzouzi has provided an exhaustive guide on how to win a presidential by-election and even provided videos and links to other oh-so-interesting student elections across the country. He’ll be live blogging (inspired by our own Kady O’Malley) as the votes come in.
Who would have guessed a student election could be so exciting? Well, apparently the hundreds of daily readers of his site are excited. And so are we.
Another chapter for one of SFU’s most (in)famous alumni
Although this has very little to do with post-secondary education, it’s hilarious nonetheless. Right-wing pundit Rachel Marsden — an SFU alumnus — has yet another one of her love-life scandals in the newspapers. She first became known when she accused a SFU swimming coach of sexual harassment in the 90′s. The coach — who was [...]
Although this has very little to do with post-secondary education, it’s hilarious nonetheless.
Right-wing pundit Rachel Marsden — an SFU alumnus — has yet another one of her love-life scandals in the newspapers. She first became known when she accused a SFU swimming coach of sexual harassment in the 90′s. The coach — who was fired and then later reinstated — shot back with allegations that it had been she who had done the stalking.
Last year she accused her Ontario police officer ex-boyfriend of leaking sensitive anti-terrorism documents to her. He charged her with harassment. (The charges were later dropped.)
Marsden’s latest breakup turned public when she listed a number of her ex’s (Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales) personal belongings on eBay after he announced their break-up on Wikipedia. He allegedly broke up with her officially later by way of instant message. Ah, love in the time of technology!
N.S. Liberals call for free medical school tuition
Liberal priorities: Doctors and sex change operations
The Liberal Party of Nova Scotia is calling for a program that would encourage medical school grads to stay in the province after graduation.
The initiative would provide funding to pay for students’ tuition and some living costs in exchange for five years of service. Funding would be available to 20 medical students per year from Dalhousie University in Halifax. It would cover five years of medical school training.
The program was proposed at the Annual General Meeting this weekend in Halifax. The Liberal Party is currently the official opposition.
We’ll have to wait and see how far the resolutions passed at the meeting really go. After all, the party also passed a resolution calling on the province to pay for sex change operations.
Quebec cracks down on ancillary fees
Students cautiously applaud the move
The Quebec government announced a cap on extra fees charged to students on top of tuition. The move is intended to monitor ancillary fees at universities and close loophole that allowed universities to raise fees despite strict regulation of tuition costs.
Education minister Michelle Courchesne noted that ancillary fees differ by as much as $1000 between schools. Now universities will be required to provide an outline of fees at the beginning of the year and a report at the end of the year. Universities who charge more than $700 in extra fees will only be allowed to raise this by $15 without consent from student government. Schools with lower fees may raise their fee by up to $50.
Student groups applauded the move, but acknowledged that the real problem is the underfunding of universities.
Students in Ontario have also been calling on the government to crack down on ancillary fees. Two college students filed a $200-million class action lawsuit in June, claiming that schools have been charging fees banned by government. Post-secondary institutions in Ontario are banned from charging fees that should be covered by tuition.
CIBC puts $2.8 mil into scholarships
Program targets low-income students
CIBC announced an additional $2.8 million for their Youthvision Scholarship Program Friday. The program provides financial assistance to low-income students who would not be able to access post-secondary otherwise.
The program awards 30 scholarships annually valued at up to $34,000 each. Recipients also receive summer internships at YMCA branches.
“Since the CIBC Youthvision Scholarship program was created, we have awarded scholarships to 270 Grade 10 students,” said Gerry McCaughey, chief executive officer of CIBC. “This program provides teens with the opportunity to build strong futures. It is part of our commitment to investing in the education, development and growth of Canada’s youth.”
Turkey allows women to wear head scarves at uni
Legal battle to come
Turkish President Abdullah Gul approved amendments to the Constitution Friday that will allow women to wear Islamic head scarves on university campuses.
Although the president and parliament have signed off on the changes, the secular opposition party has promised to bring the issue to the courts.
College student arrested for stealing briefcase of cash
Briefcase stolen at house party
A college student was arrested for stealing a briefcase containing $140,000 in cash from the home of Tyson Foods Inc. chairman in Arkansas.
The briefcase, which belonged to John Tyson, was allegedly stolen during a house party thrown by Tyson’s daughter without his knowing in late December. 19-year-old Ryan Silvey was later arrested in Kansas.
Tyson said he had collected the money overtime and had hidden it in the house. “I regret this happened and it saddens me, but I’m very grateful to our local police team for all the great work they did to get this resolved,” Tyson said in statement. “I have certainly learned a lesson through this ordeal and will never leave cash in my house again.”
Police have recovered some of the money.
School gun scares turn out to be false alarms
Last week’s shooting at Northern Illinois University seems to have spooked some, with a flurry of false alarms that have led to lock downs. In one case, a report of a person roaming the campus of California State University with an assault rifle has turned out to be a false alarm. Lt. Oceal Victory of [...]
Last week’s shooting at Northern Illinois University seems to have spooked some, with a flurry of false alarms that have led to lock downs.
In one case, a report of a person roaming the campus of California State University with an assault rifle has turned out to be a false alarm.
Lt. Oceal Victory of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department says someone mistook a Regular Officer Training Corps student practicing with a fake rifle to be an armed gunman. The report prompted the school to shut down and search the sprawling university grounds 32 kilometres south of downtown Los Angeles.
Closer to home, Nelson McIntyre Collegiate near Winnipeg was locked down after a 15-year-old student was spotted with an air pistol Wednesday. The student was in police custody last night and is facing charges of possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and uttering threats.
Student paper reveals journalism dean’s questionable sources
Dean being investigated by university for anonymous sources, quotations
The dean of journalism at Northwestern University in Illinois is being investigated for anonymous sources and “the veracity of quotations” in his writings for the alumni magazine.
John Lavine cited unnamed students in two introductory letters he wrote for Medill’s alumni magazine last year. He apologized for the use of unnamed sources today, according to the student paper the Daily Northwestern. But he still maintains that he did not make up the quotation.
One of the quotes, attributed to a Medill junior, praised a particular advertising class, saying in part: “… I sure felt good about this class. It is one of the best I’ve taken.”
Some critics have accused Lavine of making up the quotation to improve the image of the marketing class. Lavine’s decision to overhaul Medill’s curriculum – blending marketing classes with traditional reporting and writing skills – has been sharply criticized by some faculty members.
In a column last week for the university newspaper, the Daily Northwestern, student David Spett wrote he questioned all 29 students in the class and all denied saying the quote, even when promised anonymity.
Medill students are instructed to be careful in using anonymous sources. Professors often require students to submit contact information for each person quoted in their articles to guard against quotes being made up.
-with a report from AP
New Chancellor at Dalhousie
Graduate of Dal’s law school will serve as titular head of university
Fred Fountain will serve as the sixth chancellor of Dalhousie University.
Fountain, a 1974 graduate of Dalhousie’s law school, served has a member of the university’s board of governor from 1990 to 1999.
A founding partner of a Nova Scotia law firm, Fountain has been actively involved on community organization boards and chaired a $44 million capital campaign for the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre Foundation. Nationally, he served on the board of the National Gallery of Canada.
Fountain will be formally installed in the position during convocation on May 20.
Microsoft offers free technical software for students
Microsoft is providing post-secondary students with free copies of its technical software. The software offered is limited to Microsoft’s developer, designer, and platform resource tools. It does not include popular desktop publishing software such has Microsoft Suite. While developer software such as Visual Studio will not appeal to those outside of computer programming related fields [...]
Microsoft is providing post-secondary students with free copies of its technical software.
The software offered is limited to Microsoft’s developer, designer, and platform resource tools. It does not include popular desktop publishing software such has Microsoft Suite.
While developer software such as Visual Studio will not appeal to those outside of computer programming related fields of study, the general student population will find Expression Studio useful.
Included in Expression Studio is a web design program and a vector graphics program.
Presently, Canadian students require an ISIC card number to access the free software.
The software can be downloaded at http://channel8.msdn.com
