Around the ring

Frames and roses for a good cause
During spring convocation this week, graduates and their families will snap up about 500 diploma frames and 2,000 roses sold by volunteer members of the UVic Student Ambassador Association — a group affiliated with the UVic Alumni Association and committed to building lifelong relationships between the university and current students. Funds raised by the SAA at the spring and fall convocation ceremonies — usually about $20,000 total — fund the group’s activities throughout the year, including attendance at conferences and the hosting of an annual reception for recipients of the President’s Regional Entrance Scholarships. Also, the SAA has plans to stage a service project on campus later this year to benefit students. The cost of the frames is $51.47 (metallic gold), $68.65 (wood), and $137.35 (Italian wood). Look for the SAA booth inside the University Centre.

UVic researchers share knowledge at world breast cancer conference
Is it ethical for pharmaceutical companies to patent genes as part of breast cancer research? Is upper body exercise helpful or harmful for women recovering from breast cancer surgery? These are among the topics UVic researchers are tackling this week as they present their work and ideas at the World Conference on Breast Cancer at the Victoria Conference Centre. UVic presenters include Dr. Eike-Henner Kluge (philosophy) on the ethics of patenting genes, Bobby Cheema (physical education) on upper body exercise, Ryan Rhodes (physical education) on the motivation of breast cancer patients to exercise, and Dr. Rebecca Warburton (public administration) on the cost effectiveness of digital versus conventional mammography. The conference has attracted more than 800 delegates from more than 60 countries to share ideas and experiences on all aspects of breast cancer. For more information go online to <www.worldbreastcancerconf.ca>.

President carries UVic message to Kelowna
UVic President David Turpin and university staff joined high school counsellors from the Kelowna and Vernon school districts in an information forum in Kelowna on May 30. Following lunch with the counsellors, Turpin hosted a community roundtable for 30 community leaders, including representatives from city council, the economic development commission, the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, and the Okanagan Indian Band. They asked a battery of questions on topics such as entrance requirements, barriers to education, funding, and whether UVic would continue to fulfil its responsibility to offer accessible high-quality education. That evening Turpin and staff hosted a reception for UVic alumni and friends, where he presented scholarships to first-year students. Then the newly admitted UVic students attended a “Next Step Forum”— a trade show of information designed to answer students’ questions about UVic and ease the transition from high school to university life.

The grass is not always greener
It may take longer than usual to look like summer on campus this year. The grass may not be as green or thick, and some trees may have more dead bits, according to Tony James, UVic’s grounds manager. This could be a result of last summer’s drought. Because the campus irrigation system was shut down for nearly an entire year after the water restrictions prevented system use, there are more problems with deteriorated equipment like seized-up valves and plugged sprinkler heads than most years. Normally, the water pipes are used throughout the summer, and there isn’t so much need for repair. Campus vegetation has also been affected by the late, cold spring. In mid-May many trees and shrubs were already three weeks behind their usual seasonal schedule. Here’s hoping this means summer weather will extend three extra weeks into the fall.