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Laurentian celebrates le Mois de la francophonie

Laurentian celebrates le Mois de la francophonie

French language and culture remain at the core of the University’s priorities

(March 1, 2022) - Mars est le mois de la francophonie! While francophone culture is celebrated at Laurentian University all year long, March provides an excellent opportunity to highlight the importance of our francophone community. 

“Our bilingual mandate is core to Laurentian’s identity. It is what makes us distinct,” said Dr. Robert Haché, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University. “We are very proud of our francophone community, and we remain committed to attracting French language students by offering degrees that are relevant to them, learning life and work skills employers seek.” 

The University is pleased with the recent creation of the Francophone Advisory Committee, whose mandate is to provide guidance on francophone matters and offer recommendations on the implementation of strategies to ensure the successful delivery of French-language programs and services. It brings together community leaders from industry, health, arts and culture and other sectors, to focus, guide and advise on the great passion and pride in the francophone nature of the university.

In his position as special advisor of Francophone Affairs, Roch Gallien described that ultimately, “our goal is to remain the destination of choice in the North for students looking for a quality French language education in a bilingual and tricultural environment.” Gallien is educated in Ontario to teach French, History and Political Science, and he received an undergraduate degree and an Ontario Teacher’s Certificate from Laurentian University’s French-language school of education. 

Laurentian University is Canada’s only university with a tricultural mandate, offering a post-secondary education to a diverse student body championing a brain gain for the North, for Ontario, and beyond. “Being a bilingual university in a tricultural environment is something we cherish,” said Dr. Haché. 
 
The Laurentian community is encouraged to engage in opportunities this month for learning and reflection about the importance of francophone language and culture.
 

Special Advisor of Francophone Affairs, Roch Gallien

Special Advisor of Francophone Affairs, Roch Gallien

Memo from the Office of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic

(November 26, 2021) We are pleased to welcome Roch Gallien to the position of Special Advisor of Francophone Affairs. He will report directly to the provost and vice-president, Academic to support operations of the Office of Francophone Affairs.

Mr. Gallien has dedicated the last five years to overseeing training for Francophone and Anglophone teachers in all of Ontario’s faculties of education as director of Standards of Practice and Accreditation with the Ontario College of Teachers.

He is a seasoned educational professional and a manager with considerable experience in minority French-Canadian school boards. For several years, he led the Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l’Ontario and, previously, was superintendent of education at Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l’Ontario.

Trained in Ontario to teach French, History and Political Science, he received an undergraduate degree and an Ontario Teacher’s Certificate from Laurentian University’s French-language school of education. He also holds a Master of Education in administration and school management from the University of Ottawa.

His professional development pathway led him to obtain additional basic qualifications (ABQ) in instructional leadership, language pedagogy, technology and communication.

 

Quotes

“As we seek to renew our commitment to the francophone community and give its voice the weigh and influence it deserves in shaping the future of Laurentian University, we are thrilled to have Mr. Gallien on board as we strive to provide French-speaking students from across the province, the country and the world with a postsecondary education and a student experience that is second to none. Having spent the last five years overseeing training for Francophone and Anglophone teachers in all of Ontario’s faculties of education with the Ontario College of Teachers, we believe Mr. Gallien, as a lifelong advocate for a thriving francophonie, will bring a critical eye and a fresh perspective not only to our academic offering but also to our on and off-campus programming.” – Dr. Robert Haché, President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University

“As a graduate of Laurentian, I know first-hand what this institution has to offer and how its DNA is embedded in everything that makes our region such a vibrant, diverse and resilient place. I also appreciate the complex relationship the francophone community has with the university and the erosion of trust that has marked its recent past. As I watched from afar the events of the last few years, I feel a strong sense of duty and purpose in wanting to be part of the solution and play an active role in the transformational change that is required to make Laurentian the pride of the North once again – and to make francophones feel a ‘part entière’ of its renewal.”  - Roch Gallien

Laurentian University becomes the first bilingual university to be recognized under the French Language Services Act

Laurentian University becomes the first bilingual university to be recognized under the French Language Services Act

The Laurentian designation applies to services provided on the Sudbury campus, and to programs that are offered entirely in French

June 23, 2014 – Laurentian University will become the first bilingual university in Ontario to be designated under the province’s French Language Services Act.  The recognition takes formal effect on July 1st, 2014. The Laurentian designation applies to services provided on the Sudbury campus, and to programs that are offered entirely in French leading to 13 degrees at the bachelor, master and Ph.D. levels.

 

The French Language Services Act designation guarantees the right of individuals to receive provincial government services in French in designated areas.  Institutions such as universities, hospitals and other public agencies may also be designated as official providers of French language services.

 

“By becoming the first bilingual university recognized under the French Language Services Act, Laurentian University proudly demonstrates its commitment to ensuring that the Franco-Ontarian community’s interests are upheld and protected,” said University President and Vice-Chancellor Dominic Giroux.  “It is a sign of our commitment to French-language education and to la Francophonie.”

 

“At this historic moment in our institution’s history, I would like to thank the Regroupement des professeures et professeurs francophones at Laurentian University for having launched this process in December 2011,” said Michael Atkins, Chair of the Board of Governors. “Their efforts were strongly supported by Laurentian’s Senate and the Board of Governors, and by the Government of Ontario.”

 

According to Claude Lacroix, Chair of Laurentian’s Executive Committee, “It was a rigorous process that led to this acknowledgement from the Ontario Government under the French Language Services Act, which will allow us to fulfill the University’s bilingual mandate while respecting our governance and complying with the framework set out by the Office of Francophone Affairs.”

 

“In taking this step, the provincial government is recognizing Laurentian University’s support for the cultural heritage of our Francophone population.  It has played a leading role in a vibrant and flourishing Francophone culture here in Ontario,” explained Claudette Paquin, member of Laurentian’s Executive Committee and Chair of its Senate and Board of Governors’ Joint Committee on Bilingualism.

 

Announced as part of the St-Jean festivities, this recognition of Laurentian University under the French-Language Services Act, will be celebrated on Franco-Ontarian Day – September 25th, 2014.

 

“Obtaining a partial designation under the French-Language Services Act demonstrates that it is possible for a bilingual institution to maintain academic freedom while actively offering a legal guarantee of quality education and services in French to the Franco-Ontarian community and all Francophiles,” said François Boileau, French Language Services Commissioner.

 

“Twenty-eight years after the French Language Services Act was passed, Laurentian University is very proud to have applied for and received this designation,” said President Giroux.

Laurentian appoints Denis Hurtubise as Associate Vice-President, Academic and Francophone Affairs

Laurentian appoints Denis Hurtubise as Associate Vice-President, Academic and Francophone Affairs

The Board of Governors today unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Denis Hurtubise to the new position of Associate Vice-President, Academic and Francophone Affairs

JUNE 20, 2014 – Laurentian University’s Board of Governors today unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Denis Hurtubise to the new position of Associate Vice-President, Academic and Francophone Affairs. The appointment is effective July 1st, 2014, for a five-year renewable term. 

“Dr. Hurtubise is an academic leader with an inspiring vision of university education and a firm commitment to promoting the vitality of the Francophone culture,” said Laurentian University President and Vice-Chancellor Dominic Giroux. “We are delighted to have found a candidate with the experience, knowledge, acumen and personality we were looking for to lead the very important portfolio of Francophone Affairs at Laurentian.” 

Dr. Hurtubise served as Associate Professor and later Vice-President, Academic and Research at Saint-Paul University in Ottawa from 2000 to 2007, he was principally responsible for research services, marketing, international and library services and also directed the strategic plan 2007-2012. As Dean of Studies at Université du Québec en Outaouais from 2007 to the end of 2011, he was responsible for the development and evaluation of numerous undergraduate and graduate programs. Since January 2012, he has worked as a higher education consultant including for the network of Université du Québec on the intake and academic integration of international students at the undergraduate level in Quebec universities. 

He holds a Bachelor of Theology and a Master of Theology from the University of Montreal, as well as a Ph.D. in Theology from Saint-Paul University/University of Ottawa. Dr. Hurtubise began his career as Assistant Professor then Associate Professor at Saint-Paul University. He is the author of “Relire Whitehead – les concepts de Dieu dans Process and Reality” published in 2000 (Presses de l’Université Laval). 

 “I look forward to joining the dynamic team at Laurentian University and working with colleagues and community partners to continue to enhance French-language programs and services,” said Dr. Hurtubise. 

The appointment of Dr. Hurtubise was unanimously recommended after an extensive national search by by a 13-member search committee composed of Board members, faculty, students and administrators, and unanimously endorsed by the University’s Senate. 

Laurentian’s 2012-2017 Strategic Plan outcome to establish Laurentian as a destination for Francophone and Immersion students from across Canada and targeted French-speaking countries is ambitious, and has been identified as requiring a fully dedicated senior academic administrator. 

“Along with the rest of the Laurentian community, I wish Denis a warm welcome, and I look forward to working with him in the years to come,” said Laurentian’s Vice-President, Academic and Provost, Dr. Robert Kerr. 

Books Based on the International Conference on Language and Territory Launched in the Presence of Conference Honourary President Graham Fraser

Books Based on the International Conference on Language and Territory Launched in the Presence of Conference Honourary President Graham Fraser

“In these publications, the International Conference on Language and Territory finds a brilliant outcome...“

May 1st, 2014 – The Human Sciences Monographic Series, the Ontario French Language Observatory and the Office of the Vice-President of Francophone Affairs at Laurentian University launched three books based on the International Conference on Language and Territory organized in 2010 by Laurentian University. Commissioner of Official Languages and conference honourary president Graham Fraser was on hand today for the launch.

 

Under the title Langue et territoire (Language and Territory), the books are subtitled Espaces littéraires, Études en aménagement linguistique and Études en sociolinguistique urbaine, respectively, and compile three years of work directed by Julie Boissonneault and Ali Reguigui, professors in the Department of French Studies at Laurentian University. Many academic researchers, doctoral students, legal scholars and other language specialists from around the world also collaborated.

 

“In these publications, the International Conference on Language and Territory finds a brilliant outcome and makes significant contributions to the understanding and advancement of linguistic rights,” said Graham Fraser. “The quality of research by Laurentian University professors and their collaborators is a testament to the importance of – and respect shown for – linguistic duality in Canada and cultural diversity within this institution.”

 

“The reference material unveiled today lives up to the historic event that brought together for the first time in 2010 Canada’s five language commissioners for the International Conference on Language and Territory,” added Dominic Giroux, president and vice-chancellor of Laurentian University. “Our institution is proud to participate once again in official language development and is poised to continue its efforts in language planning.”