Around the ring
Will you be UVic’s representative for the 2013 United Way campaign?UVic is inviting applications from across campus to select a staff member who is interested in assisting with the Greater Victoria United Way fundraising campaign this fall as UVic’s loaned representative to the 2013 campaign. The secondment offers a professional development opportunity to gain experience in fund raising, public speaking, problem solving, project management and community awareness while supporting the United Way’s fundraising program. This full-time secondment position from Aug. 26 to Dec. 13 is open to all UVic employee groups. The employee selected will continue with the same pay and benefits of their existing position for the duration of the secondment. The sponsoring department will be provided with access to funding to hire a co-op student during the same period. The sponsoring department remains responsible for the cost of the employee’s salary/benefits for the duration, and the selected candidate will need departmental approval before the secondment agreement can be implemented. The position description will be posted on the UVic Human Resources website accessible through http://web.uvic.ca/hr/postings/othercareeropportunities.htm until the closing date of June 14.
If you would like more information, contact Grant Hughes, Director, Community Relations at gwhughes@uvic.ca or by telephone at (250) 472-5047. |
Pursuing the wild: The Sichuan Botanical ExpeditionJoin the Friends of Finnerty Gardens for an evening of botanical discovery as Sue Milliken and Kelly Dodson of Far Reaches Farm give a special presentation on their 2012 plant hunting expedition to Sichuan, China. This 50th anniversary event, which will appeal to the casual gardener, serious plant aficionado and everyone with a love of adventure, takes place on May 23 at 7 p.m. in the David Lam Auditorium, MacLaurin A144. The search for new species of rhododendrons, shrubs and perennials was a fascinating trek that included fellow explorers Steve Hootman of the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden and Peter Cox, legendary plant hunter. Tickets are free, but must be reserved in advance at the UVic Ticket Centre. More information: http://www.uvic.ca/anniversary/events/highlights/pursuingthewild/index.php |
Improvements to student computing facilitiesThe University Systems Student Computing Facilities have recently completed upgrades to four computer-equipped classrooms and introduced a new support service for students. HSD A150 and HSD A160 have new Dell Windows 7 desktop workstations and CLE A012 has received six additional Dell Windows 7 workstations, increasing the room capacity to 36 workstations. CLE A103 has new iMacs with 21.5-inch displays, and CLE A015 has new Mac Minis. These upgrades will improve the computing experience for instructors and students through better performance and reliability while also improving energy efficiency. Now, clients in the Student Computing Facilities can request remote assistance without getting up from their workstation. Facility staff can respond remotely using a remote assistance tool, which allows them to answer questions and even remotely solve problems on workstations. In-person assistance is still available at facility reception counters.
More information about the Student Computing Facilities, including a live map showing which workstations are free for drop-in use: www.uvic.ca/systems/facilities/ |
Bonanza for green thumbsIt’s the time of year when UVic’s McKinnon Gym transforms from a basketball mecca to a giant gardening centre. Volunteers are gearing up for the annual UVic Plant Sale, Sunday, May 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The usual wall-to-wall selection will be enhanced this year with deer-resistant plants and even more plants propagated from UVic’s renowned Finnerty Gardens. The sale, organized by the Friends of Finnerty Gardens, generates funds to support ongoing enhancements of Finnerty Gardens and its vast collection of rare rhododendrons and countless other varieties of plants, trees and shrubs. Admission is free and everyone is welcome. Shoppers are advised to arrive early for best selection and to bring their own packing boxes for the trip home. |
Beyond the ring
Co-op and Career helps local small business hire studentsUVic’s Co-operative Education Program and Career Services will help eight to 10 Vancouver Island businesses hire post-secondary students to grow their e-commerce strategies, thanks to a new partnership with Industry Canada’s Small Business Internship Program (SBIP). Through the agreement, UVic Co-op and Career will allocate $80,000 in SBIP funding to small- or medium-sized businesses wishing to hire students for a 12-week internship. Project details can be found at www.uvic.ca/coopandcareer/employerfunding. |
University presidents say province should lower student loan interestUVic President David Turpin has joined with his counterparts at BC's three other research-intensive universities in recommending that the BC government make changes in student financial assistance. BC has the nation's highest interest rate on student loans at 2.5 per cent above prime. The presidents point out that changes in student aid programs are necessary in order to reach out to groups of potential student that have traditionally been under-represented in post-secondary education. Vancouver Sun article |
Academic burnout on the risePost-secondary teaching staff suffer burnout at levels approximating that of health professionals, according to an international literature review published in the journal Educational Research and reported in THE (Times Higher Education). Based on 12 peer-reviewed studies in the United States, Britain, Canada, South Africa, Spain, Turkey and the Netherlands, the authors found that those suffering from greater emotional exhaustion included younger staff and women. |
Strike at Vancouver Island University settledThe month-long strike by the faculty association at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo ended April 11 and classes will resume Tues, April 12. Key issues involving the handling of possible program cuts and layoffs have not been settled and are being referred to a government-appointed mediator. CBC coverage. Nanaimo Daily News article. |
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