UVic law is back on top
UVic's faculty of law is once again ranked as the best law school in Canada according to recent law grads who responded to this year's annual survey in Canadian Lawyer magazine. Respondents were asked to rate curriculum, faculty, facilities, students, and practice relevance in awarding UVic the top grade. "The grads agreed that the school's strongest feature is its people, both the faculty and fellow students, and that says it all," says UVic law dean Andrew Petter. Respondents applauded the faculty's "excellent teachers with a deep commitment to school and students . . . they make themselves available to students." UVic has been rated number one in Canada in the survey eight of the past 10 years.

Wanted: your honorary degree suggestions
What do Sir Edmund Hillary, Diana Krall, Stephen Lewis, Robert Bateman and Silken Laumann all have in common? They're among the more than 300 artists, scientists, teachers, historians, politicians, athletes, business leaders, civil rights activists and other lifetime achievers who hold an honorary degree from the University of Victoria. And now you have a chance to influence who joins this illustrious list. The senate committee on honorary degrees and other forms of recognition is seeking nominations. Any member of the UVic community can nominate an individual for an honorary degree. Documentation should include a letter of nomination, a curriculum vitae, and at least two letters of support. Send nominations by 4:30 p.m. March 1 to Chancellor Ron Lou-Poy, c/o the office of the university secretary, room 410, Business and Economics Bldg. For more information visit web.uvic.ca/univsec/governance/honorarycriteria.html or call 721-8101.

Network your way to a great career
Are you a student or graduate interested in finding out more about career options? Check out Career Fair 2005, "Your Future @ Work" on Feb. 9–10 in the Michele Pujol room of the Student Union Building, 10 a.m.– 3:30 p.m. "Career fairs offer an invaluable opportunity for students to practise the networking and research skills that are essential to a work search strategy these days," says Jennifer Margison, manager of career services. "Students need to look beyond the products and services that an organization represents to see where their skills and interests might fit. High-tech companies may be recruiting software engineers, but they also employ staff in human resources, communications and marketing." The fair also features summer employment options and internship programs. For more information visit www.uviccareerfair.com.

Grad student research goes on display
What role could plant estrogen play in treating breast cancer? How do pollutants affect the immune system of harbour seals? And how do trees defend themselves against insects? These are some of the ongoing research projects to be showcased at the annual UVic biology graduate symposium on Feb. 14-15. The symposium runs 9 a.m.–6 p.m. (Feb. 14) and 9:15 a.m.–5:30 p.m. (Feb. 15) in room 105 of the Hickman Building and is open to the community. "The university is a public institution and this symposium is one small way for us to give back to our community and share the knowledge we've gained so far," says organizer Rebecca McMackin. Over the two-day period, 35 graduate students will present their work in 15-minute intervals and another 24 students will present posters in room 110. The talks are aimed at a non-scientific audience. For more information call 721-4284.

Kaleidoscope Theatre gets legal lift
UVic law students and law professor Andrew Pirie will join senior members of Victoria's law community in this year's Lawyers on Stage Theatre (LOST) performance in support of Kaleidoscope Theatre Productions. A cast of 50, including 18 members from Kaleidoscope's Young Company, will present the stage adaptation of Robert Fulgham's popular book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten at the McPherson Theatre on Feb. 25 and 26 at 7 p.m. This play has been well-received for the humorous way it delivers its messages. A silent auction and reception will follow each performance. Last year's LOST production raised $10,000 for Kaleidoscope. Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for students. Ticket vouchers can be obtained by contacting Pirie at 721-8179 or apirie@uvic.ca or through the McPherson box office at 386-6121.

Nominations invited for alumni awards
Every award begins with a thoughtful nomination and the UVic Alumni Association is inviting nominations for its premier award programs—the Alumni Awards for Excellence in Teaching and the
Distinguished Alumni Awards. The process is capped off in November with formal award presentations at the annual Legacy Awards gala at the Victoria Conference Centre. The teaching awards have two categories: the Harry Hickman Award (for a regular faculty member, librarian or artist-in-residence) and the Gilian Sherwin award (for sessionals, lab instructors and limited-term faculty). Each award includes a $2,000 cash prize and portraits of the winners are displayed in the McPherson Library. Nominations close Feb. 28. The Distinguished Alumni Awards are synonymous with the inspiring talent, effort and influence of the university's graduates—locally and worldwide. Up to four awards will be presented (including youth and lifetime achievement awards). Nominations close March 31. Nomination guidelines and forms are available from the alumni services office or online at www.alumni.uvic.ca/.

Take a piece of library history home
Computers may be more efficient, but it was the wooden filing card cabinets which used to line the McPherson Library that users wanted to take home. Now they can, with the right bid, because the wooden units are up for sale through the B.C. government online auction site. The units are handy for storing hardware, audio cassettes, recipe cards and other hard-to-organize collections. To make a bid on a unit visit www.bcauction.ca/open.dll/welcome, click on "browse" and then on "office furniture" for the cabinets and information on how to register for the auction. Proceeds from the sale will go toward the library's furniture fund.

Addictions centre offers sober advice
"One in five British Columbians will experience a substance use problem sometime during their life. Maybe it will be you or someone you know. Someone you love. You'd be surprised how much help is out there, and how important you can be." So reads a series of ads, entitled "You Are The Link," by the UVic-based Centre for Addictions Research of BC (CAR-BC). "We want to increase public awareness around the many issues related to the problematic use of psychoactive substances," explains CAR-BC's communication and resource director Dan Reist. The year-long print and radio campaign is a collaborative project supported by BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information. It was launched in November. For more information, go to www.youarethelink.ca.

Next stop: United Nations
Last November, more than 60 high school students from southern Vancouver Island tested their diplomacy skills and discovered the inner workings of the United Nations at as they took part in UVic's Model United Nations Conference. The event was hosted by the student-run Model United Nations Club. The club's mission is to raise awareness about the activities, processes and challenges faced by all countries in the UN. Each year, it sends several delegations to various national and international conferences which simulate the activities of the UN.

Blue and Gold committee seeks student stars
For many UVic students, their campus experience isn't limited to the classroom. They also demonstrate leadership by volunteering for community groups, competing on varsity teams, and performing in choirs or with other fine arts groups. The Blue and Gold awards recognize these outstanding students and nominations for the awards are now being accepted. This year, three awards worth $2,500 each and five awards worth $1,000 each will be presented. Undergraduate students must carry a minimum of nine units in the year in which they are nominated and must normally have a cumulative GPA of 5.0. Graduate students must be enrolled on a full-time basis and have a cumulative GPA of 5.0. Nomination packages are available online at web.uvic.ca/safa or by calling 721-8426. The deadline for submitting nominations is March 11. Recipients of the $2,500 awards will take part in the Legacy Awards ceremony in November.