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Laurentian names first Manager of Energy and Sustainability

Laurentian names first Manager of Energy and Sustainability

Kati McCartney to lead university in reducing footprint, promoting best practices

September 11 , 2014 – Benchmarking of energy consumption, composting in residences and a zero-waste cafeteria: these are just a few of the initiatives in progress as Laurentian University advances its ‘green agenda’ under Kati McCartney, Manager, Energy and Sustainability. 

“This position is new to Laurentian, but the University is already recognized as an environmental champion on many fronts, and we have the potential to create real leadership in sustainability and conservation,” said McCartney. “I’m confident that we can be in the top tier of green universities.” 

As Manager of Energy and Sustainability, McCartney will lead the development of sustainable operation planning and will manage the energy purchase and use portfolio. She is developing both short and long-term sustainability goals for Laurentian, with initiatives in energy consumption, waste diversion, outreach and education. McCartney graduated from Laurentian University with a Master of Science (Chemical Sciences) and a Master of Business Administration. 

McCartney will also lead efforts to accurately measure, benchmark and reduce energy consumption across campus. Those efforts will include the installation of meters for all commodities – electricity, natural gas,and water – to track consumption and to benchmark efficiency. 

 

 A campus audit conducted in July showed that Laurentian is performing “a bit better than the average for universities in Ontario,” according to McCartney. “With our benchmarking, we’ll be able to identify those areas where we can improve our performance in energy conservation. We’ll retro-fit where it makes sense, and we’ll also be encouraging changes in behaviours related to energy use,” she said. 

One of the high-profile initiatives now underway on the Sudbury campus is the introduction of composting in Laurentian’s residences. With the start of the school year, Laurentian became the first institution in the City of Greater Sudbury to adopt the municipality’s residential composting program. 

“We are the first university in the north to implement composting on such a large scale, and it will be our students who make it happen,” said Laurentian’s Director of Housing and Food Services, Ben Demianiuk. “We’ve worked with the City to put it in place, but it will be up to all of us to create a culture that supports it,” he added. It is estimated that the introduction of composting in residence could divert as much as 50 tonnes of organic waste from landfill each year. 

The waste diversion effort goes even further in the University’s newly-renovated dining space in the Great Hall. The restaurant-style cafeteria has no garbage bins, and no blue-box receptacles for glass, plastic or aluminum containers. 

“This is a real step change, and a bold move,” said McCartney. “There are no disposable cups, paper plates or plastic cutlery; no pop cans or glass bottles to toss in the blue bin. Everything that is used to serve meals is washable, and anything that’s left on the plates goes right into the compost. This is really a big deal in terms of waste diversion,” she said. 

Laurentian University is committed to fostering a strong culture of sustainability and environmental stewardship. Laurentian has signed the Council of Ontario Universities pledge, Ontario Universities: Committed to a Greener World, which commits universities to assist in finding solutions to the challenges of environmental sustainability; to share knowledge about sustainability and climate change; and to incorporate, wherever possible, principles of sustainability into their own operations. 

Laurentian will be holding a Campus Sustainability Forum on September 29th, 2014, which will include a public lecture by environmental activist and former Toronto mayor David Miller, current President and CEO of WWF Canada. Further details of the Sustainability Forum will be published later this month. 

Laurentian University appoints new director of alumni relations

Laurentian University appoints new director of alumni relations

September 10, 2014 - A selection committee with representatives from the Laurentian University Alumni Association, academic and non-academic colleagues unanimously approved the appointment of Rachel Chisholm as Director of Alumni Relations. The appointment is effective September 22, 2014.

 

Ms. Chisholm will provide leadership and strategic direction to the university community related to the development, coordination, and implementation of the University’s alumni relations program in conjunction with the Laurentian University Alumni Association’s (LUAA) strategic plan.

 

“On behalf of the LUAA Board of Directors, I am delighted to welcome Rachel to her new role. The experience she brings in alumni relations will be extremely valuable for our Association. I look forward to working with her as she shares her perspectives and new ideas,” said Diane Mihalek, President of the Laurentian University Alumni Association.

 

“We are thrilled to welcome Rachel to this role, as we increasingly foster the engagement of the University’s Alumni,” said Tracy MacLeod, Laurentian’s Chief Advancement Officer. “Rachel's experience in alumni relations will allow her to connect with graduates through creative programming and effective communications.”

 

Ms. Chisholm served as Alumni Services Manager at George Brown College, where she was responsible for developing business plans, budgets and a print publication. She also launched an online mentoring tool for the alumni community and an alumni engagement tracking system.

 

Born and raised in Montreal, Ms. Chisholm is fluent in French and English.

 

“I am thrilled to be joining the Laurentian University family and eager to meet with Laurentian’s distinguished alumni to hear about the positive contributions they are in the world. Being new to Sudbury, discovering the city, the people and getting involved in the community are just a few of the many things I look forward to,” said Chisholm.

 

The Laurentian University Alumni Association boasts a membership of over 52,000 graduates, with over 16,000 residing in Greater Sudbury.

Laurentian unveils new look of great hall, dining options

Laurentian unveils new look of great hall, dining options

Marche-style restaurant experience at “focal point” of campus

August 27, 2014 – A sweeping re-design of Laurentian University’s iconic Great Hall has transformed the old cafeteria space into a contemporary, “Marché-style” dining venue under the name Fresh Food Company. 

 

“The Great Hall has always been a focal point of campus life.  This is the centrepiece of our expansion of food and beverage service, and it represents a signal moment for the university,” said Laurentian Vice-President, Administration Carol McAulay today at the Grand Opening.  “Over the past few years, we’ve consulted widely with the university community about dining and other amenities on campus, and we’ve enhanced those options accordingly.”

 

Described as a “restaurant-style experience” in the heart of Laurentian’s Sudbury campus, the Fresh Food Company dining space will offer healthy meals, prepared fresh at 12 separate ‘cooking stations,’ including the Deli, the Mongolian Grill, and the Dessert/Waffle Bar.  The Fresh Food Company will offer more local produce and locally-sourced food products, as well as daily specials and vegetarian options. It will be operated by Laurentian University’s food and beverage provider, Aramark Food Services.

 “We know from our research that students want fresh, made-to-order meals, served in a comfortable environment where they can hang out with their friends,” said Brian Struthers, Regional Vice President for Aramark. “The new Fresh Food Company delivers this enhanced, restaurant-like atmosphere, and we believe it will become a great campus hub for both food and social interaction.”

Marché-style dining will allow unlimited choices at set rates for each meal period.  Meal plan payment options will be provided for students in designated residences, with other meal plans available to staff and faculty.

Laurentian University has expanded food and beverage services on campus in the past 2 years, with the addition of a Starbucks location, the Bistro in East Residence, a Subway sandwich shop and, most recently, a Topper’s Pizza outlet. 

 

“Our vision was to create a range of dining options in our various campus neighbourhoods,” said Laurentian’s Director, Housing and Food Services, Ben Demianiuk.  “This is an expansion of menu options, but it’s also about enhancing the social amenities of campus life by adding new, welcoming spaces where people can gather, study or socialize,” he said. 

 

Laurentian has embarked on an ambitious $50 million dollar modernization and renewal program entailing upgrades to classrooms, labs, study and social spaces over the next three years.  The modernization program is outlined in the University’s 2012-2017 Strategic Plan.

Sudbury-designed solar power system to have major field test

Sudbury-designed solar power system to have major field test

Photo-voltaic cells to provide clean energy will be deployed off Maltese coast

AUGUST 19, 2014 – An innovative and energy-smart concept to harness clean solar power for multiple applications will have its first major field test in the Mediterranean sea, off the island of Malta, early in 2015.  Conceived and developed by researchers at MIRARCO and Laurentian University in Sudbury, the demonstration project is being supported by the Government of Malta, the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, and other research partners.

 

The Offshore Passive Photo-voltaic (OPPV) Project will use thin solar panels (photo-voltaic cells) floating on the water’s surface to generate energy.  The array of panels, measuring about 20 meters by 20 meters, is expected to have a peak output of 8kW, enough power for two typical 3-bedroom homes.

 

“The goal of the demonstration project is to find alternative ways for Malta to generate clean energy, since it is a small island and doesn’t have the land space to install solar panels on the ground,” says MIRARCO researcher Kim Trapani.  “We believe our system is a substantial improvement on other forms of marine renewable energy, such as offshore wind, rigid offshore photo-voltaic structures, wave and tidal energy.  The floating PV panels do not pose a collision risk, and should require very low maintenance.”

 

Originally from Malta, Dr. Trapani completed her Ph.D. at Laurentian University with thesis advisor Dr. Dean Millar, Professor in the Bharti School of Engineering and the MIRARCO Research Chair of Energy in Mining. Dr. Millar is particularly interested in the potential applications of the OPPV project in mining.

 

“Wherever they are located, mines tend to consume appreciable amounts of energy to support mineral production,” said Dr. Millar.  “The Maltese demonstration project is a world first that aims to prove thin-film PV technology in the saltwater marine environment, but it has also been developed as an electricity generating system for mines.”  The flexible laminated panels will float on the surface of the water of tailings ponds, said Dr. Millar.  “The panels could form a barrier to isolate wildlife from the tailings waters, while the panels generate electricity for the mine.”

 

Drs Trapani and Millar have published research suggesting that for remote mines like the Ring of Fire, the cost per kilowatt-hour produced with the PV systems is lower than the cost of installing and running diesel-powered generators.  “Our OPPV technology could have game-changing implications for the mining industry, especially with remote minesites, by providing clean and cheap energy that can be set up where needed with relatively little infrastructure. These demonstration projects aim to prove longer term reliability,” said Dr. Millar. 

Adjunct Professor at Laurentian University elected to the United Nations Committee on Human Rights

Adjunct Professor at Laurentian University elected to the United Nations Committee on Human Rights

Laurentian University awarded Dr. Ben Achour an honourary doctorate in recognition of his work bridging the differences between the Arab and Western Worlds.

July 30, 2014 – Laurentian University congratulates Dr. Yadh Ben Achour on his election to a four-year term to the United Nations Committee on Human Rights.  In 2004, Laurentian University awarded Dr. Ben Achour an honourary doctorate in recognition of his work bridging the differences between the Arab and Western Worlds. Dr. Ben Achour is also an Adjunct Professor with the International Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Law (ICIRL) and the Department of Justice at Laurentian University.

 

The United Nations Human Rights Committee is composed of eighteen independent experts who monitor the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

 

Dr. Ben Achour played a key role in Tunisia’s transition to democracy after the Jasmine Revolution in January 2011. He was named to lead a commission charged with the implementation of the first free and transparent elections in Tunisia in October 2011. The newly elected National Constituent Assembly then drafted Tunisia’s new constitution.

 

Dr. Ben Achour is a strong defender of human rights and the rule of law. In 1992, he resigned from Tunisia’s Constitutional Council and became one of the harshest critics of the regime of Ben Ali. Shortly afterwards, he was elected Dean of the Faculty of Legal, Political and Social Sciences of Tunis, University of Carthage. Since 2013, he has been President of the Administrative Law Court of the African Development Bank. In 2013, he received the International Prize for Democracy from the Fondation Internationaler Demoktratie Preis, Bonn, Germany. 

Laurentian welcomes latest addition to campus Food Services

Laurentian welcomes latest addition to campus Food Services

Local restaurateur Topper’s Pizza to open first university-based store

July 25, 2014 – As part of its continuing campaign to expand and enhance food service options for students, staff and faculty, Laurentian University today welcomed a new Topper’s Pizza restaurant to the Sudbury campus. 

“Topper’s has been in Sudbury for more than 30 years, so it’s well-known and well-liked,” said Laurentian’s Director of Housing and Food Services, Benjamin Demianiuk. “We’re sure it will be a very popular meal choice at the university, and the company also fits well with our objective of providing more local food choices.” 

The Toppazzini family opened a bakery in Copper Cliff in 1904, serving the Sudbury market for almost eight decades. Since 1982, when it launched its first pizza restaurant, the family-owned company has expanded to 35 corporate and franchise-owned locations across Ontario, with plans for further expansion. 

“We are delighted to be opening our first location on a university campus with the Laurentian store,” said Kelly Toppazzini, Chair and CEO of Topper’s Pizza. “We think it’s a perfect fit, and we’re proud to be part of the university community,” he said. 

The restaurant will be located directly outside the entrance to Laurentian’s Great Hall and will officially open to the university community on August 28th, 2014. It is part of the University’s long-term program to broaden the range of food and beverage options available, while also creating more spaces across campus for gathering, socializing and dining. The Great Hall will re-open August 29th after a $2M renovation. The re-designed Great Hall will offer a “marché-style” dining experience under the name Fresh Food Co. 

“We’ve consulted widely and we’ve listened to our students, and other members of the Laurentian community,” said VP, Administration Carol McAulay. “With the Great Hall re-design, with the addition of a Starbucks and East Bistro in recent years, and now the opening of a Topper’s on campus, we really are providing the spaces and the amenities for an excellent student experience here at Laurentian.” 

Sudbury research highlights link between forest and fish stocks

Sudbury research highlights link between forest and fish stocks

Results of study at Vale Living With Lakes published in ‘Nature Communications’

July 7, 2014 – Environmental research conducted at the Vale Living With Lakes Centre of Laurentian University is the focus of an article published in the international research journal Nature Communications.  Lead author Dr. Andrew Tanentzap of University of Cambridge, U.K., carried out studies on acquatic food chains in Daisy Lake, in Sudbury, Ontario.  The findings of the research point to important linkages between healthy forests in boreal ecosystems and the viability of fish stocks in those freshwater lakes. 

 

The study found that young yellow perch in Daisy Lake were better-nourished in areas where forest debris washed into the lake, supplementing the aquatic food chain.  In parts of the lake with less surrounding vegetation, the fish had fewer microscopic zooplankton to feed upon and were smaller in size.

 

“We found fish with almost 70% of their biomass made from carbon that came from trees and leaves, instead of aquatic food chain sources,” said Dr. Tanentzap.  “Essentially, the young fish in lake areas with scant forest cover were smaller, and thus less likely to breed and survive.  Those in areas with abundant forest cover were definitely a more robust population.”

 

A Banting Fellow at the Living With Lakes Centre during much of his research, Dr. Tanentzap and his colleagues from the University of Cambridge will return to Sudbury this fall for a 3-year continuation of the project.

 

“We are delighted to see Andrew’s work highlighted in Nature Communications,” said Dr. John Gunn, Director of the Living with Lakes Centre and Canada Research Chair for Stressed Aquatic Systems.  “Sudbury’s unique landscape is a globally significant research laboratory, and the Cambridge project shows how our recovered waterways create real benefits in the downstream receiving waters.” 

 

The Living With Lakes Centre is a centre of excellence for the study of stressed and recovering freshwater ecosystems, and has been the site of numerous research projects in environmental and natural resource management studies. 

 

Dr. Tanentzap said that while the team’s research focussed on boreal regions, the findings are likely to bear out globally, in all regions that have experienced forest loss.  “The degradation and destruction of forest lands have a direct impact on aquatic food chains.  It matters because freshwater fish make up more than 6% of humans’ protein supplies and are their primary source of omega-3 fatty acids,” he said. 

Laurentian University opens new School of the Environment

Laurentian University opens new School of the Environment

The School currently houses five existing programs: Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Études de l’environement, Science Communication, and Archaeology.


JULY 3, 2014 – Laurentian University’s new School of the Environment, approved by the University Senate earlier this year, is now open, with 13 faculty forming its core and 13 more faculty soon to be cross-appointed from other departments.  The School currently houses five existing programs:  Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Études de l’environnement, Science Communication, and Archaeology.    It will contribute to environmental programming offered by other departments across campus, and will collaborate with the Vale Living with Lakes Centre and other research centres, including the Centre for Evolutionary Ecology and Ethical Conservation (CEEEC).

 

The School will help to consolidate and strengthen the University’s expertise and reputation in all studies related to the environment, said the School’s inaugural Director, Dr. Brett Buchanan.  

 

“This truly represents an important step and a natural progression for Laurentian University, and for Greater Sudbury,” said Dr. Buchanan.  “We are recognized worldwide for our environmental knowledge in this community, and Laurentian has a constellation of professors and researchers who are leaders in environmental studies and sciences.  The School will help to showcase our unique strengths in this field, and to offer enhanced learning opportunities for our students in Sudbury and in Barrie.”

 

 “The School provides an opportunity for synergy and collaboration that will propel us forward as a centre of innovation both in teaching and in research, ” said Dr. Osman Abou-Rabia, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Architecture.  “It also moves us toward our Strategic Plan objective of further national recognition for our signature strengths.” 

 

“As a society, we are faced with momentous and far-reaching environmental issues. It is appropriate that Laurentian have a School to foster and lead critical awareness in environmental research and action,” said Laurentian University President and Vice-Chancellor Dominic Giroux.

 

The official launch and celebration of the School of the Environment is scheduled for September 17, 2014

$39M now secured for Laurentian University campus in Barrie

$39M now secured for Laurentian University campus in Barrie

New website outlines Laurentian proposal to serve 3,100 full-time students

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June 23rd, 2014 – Laurentian University’s Board of Governors has approved a commitment of $25 million toward the proposed stand-alone university campus in the City of Barrie. This pledge represents a significant increase to Laurentian University’s 2011 commitment for the Barrie campus, and the amount would be enhanced by the $14M already committed by the City of Barrie for a standalone campus.

 

Barrie City Councillors today unanimously reaffirmed their strong support for Laurentian’s proposed Barrie campus, a 225,000 sq ft academic facility to serve 3,100 full-time equivalent students.

 

“We are pleased to see Barrie’s City Councillors reiterating their support for the Laurentian campus in Barrie,” said Laurentian University President and Vice-Chancellor, Dominic Giroux. “We have worked diligently with the City since 2010 to realize the community’s vision for a stand-alone university campus. We believe it is an exciting vision, and we are committed to its success.”

 

Laurentian will present its formal proposal for the Barrie campus in accordance with the provincial government’s Request for Proposals for Major Capacity Expansion. The province is expected to issue decisions in 2015.

 

Meanwhile, Laurentian continues talks to jointly develop 64 acres of vacant land on Essa Road that would meet the needs of a university student population in an urban campus environment. Laurentian’s Barrie campus would include facilities for athletics and recreation, residence space to house 500 to 750 students, and a student centre to be financed by ancillary fees.

 

“We feel the site is ideal for its access to downtown and to key transit links, and for its ability to serve as a focal point for Barrie’s future development,” said Craig Fowler, Associate Vice-President, Administration and External Relations for Laurentian University’s Barrie campus. “It provides room to grow, and the campus development will create an exciting new gateway to the city.”

 

Proposed programs at Laurentian’s Barrie campus would originate from five of the University’s faculties: Arts; Health; Graduate Studies; Management; Science, Engineering and Architecture. Programs in Barrie are being developed specifically for the community, with Barrie’s current and future economic growth in mind.

 

Laurentian University has been delivering programs in Barrie since 2001 in partnership with Georgian College. It now counts close to 3,000 alumni in the Barrie area, and employs approximately 70 faculty and staff. Laurentian University is also committed to a continuing positive relationship with Georgian College to plan post-secondary expansion in Barrie.

 

“We have a long history of success in our work with Georgian and five other Ontario colleges, and we share a firm commitment to access and mobility for post-secondary students who will benefit from degree studies,” said President Giroux.

 

“I believe that Barrie deserves an outstanding university campus offering four-year university degrees and graduate programs right here in our community,” said Karen Hansen, owner of Pratt Homes and member of the Board of Governors of Laurentian University. “Barrie has proudly supported major transformations in Barrie, including the expansion of the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, the Simcoe-Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre and Georgian College, which have had very positive long-term impacts. A stand-alone university campus is the next logical step.”

 

“For a city of Barrie’s size and potential, it really is a necessity to have a stand-alone university campus to fulfill the aspirations of our students,” said Laurentian University Board of Governors member Rose Adams of Adams Law in Barrie, “We are the largest metropolitan area in Canada without a university campus. So, yes, it’s time for Laurentian’s Barrie campus,” said Adams.

 

“A stand-alone Laurentian University campus will drive the creativity and innovation that Barrie needs to stimulate its long-term prosperity. Research and commercialization of discoveries in our areas of strength will help to diversify the local economy and build our future,” said Jon Babulic, outgoing member of the Board of Governors of Laurentian University, former Chief Administrative Officer of the City of Barrie and former Chair of the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre.

 

88% of first-year university registrants from Simcoe County leave the region to pursue university studies. This proportion is growing. Each year, only about 100 out of 45,000 first-year university registrants from the GTA choose a university program offered in Simcoe County.

 

“These trends speak to the fact that students from Barrie, the rest of Simcoe County and the GTA are looking for a stand-alone university campus to pursue their aspirations. They need a comprehensive range of four-year university programs, and the opportunity to develop a strong sense of belonging to their university”, said Claudette Paquin, member of the Board of Governors of Laurentian University and a former Vice-President at Cogeco Cable Canada.

 

The University has launched a new website to provide all members of the Barrie community with further details about the proposed campus: www.itstimebarrie.ca
 

MEDIA BACKGROUNDER:

LAURENTIAN BARRIE CAMPUS PROJECT

  • There are 97 universities in Canada. Barrie is Canada’s 34th largest municipality in Canada by population, yet does not have its own stand-alone university campus. Barrie is also the 21st largest census metropolitan area in Canada and the largest in Canada without a university campus.

 

  • The Province of Ontario has designated Barrie as an urban growth centre, the only one in Simcoe County.

 

  • Small to mid-size Canadian municipalities with stand-alone university campuses include Regina, Sherbrooke, Kelowna, Abbotsford-Mission, Oshawa, Kingston, St. Catharines, Trois-Rivières, Moncton, Guelph, Brantford, Saint John, Peterborough, Lethbridge, Cape Breton, Kamloops, Nanaimo, Fredericton, Prince George, Sault Ste. Marie, Charlottetown, and Rimouski.

 

  • An April 2014 economic impact study by KPMG, commissioned by Laurentian University, estimates that the initial construction phase of the Laurentian campus will generate $182 million in total economic activity in Barrie.

 

  • The KPMG study also estimates that ongoing campus operations will generate $70 million in annual total economic activity and support almost 425 employment positions per year, with increased revenues for the City of Barrie in the form of direct revenues, while indirect revenues derived from municipal taxes on student accommodations could be as much as $2.9 million annually.

 

  • Laurentian was first invited in May 2010 by then City Councillor Jeff Lehman to present to Council a vision for a Laurentian University satellite campus in downtown Barrie, with Georgian College supporting the relocation of Laurentian University programs downtown. Council supported this vision, which led Laurentian University to deem the project a top priority in its 10-year capital plan submitted to the Province in June 2010.

 

  • In 2011, Laurentian’s strategic planning consultations, involving numerous community organizations, confirmed strong support in Barrie for a stand-alone university campus.

 

  • In mid-2011, Laurentian pledged $14 million toward the project. In November 2011, City Council agreed to provide a matching contribution of $14 million to a university successful in a provincial RFP and matching this contribution from its own sources. Shortly afterward, Georgian College reaffirmed its support for Mayor Lehman and Council’s vision for a university campus in Barrie.

 

  • On June 20th, 2014, Laurentian University’s Board of Governors voted to increase Laurentian’s commitment to the Barrie campus, raising the pledge to $25 million. 

 

  • Laurentian University has already made multi-million dollar investments in the capital project, conducting community consultations and site selection, as well as market, environmental and geotechnical assessments of numerous potential sites.

 

  • Laurentian University delivers programs in partnership with six Ontario colleges, and is an acknowledged leader in facilitating the transfer of college students to degree studies, with student-centred policies on prior learning.

 

  • Since 2012, Laurentian University’s President has served as co-chair of the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT), an organization that includes all of Ontario’s 44 colleges and universities and is aimed at improving student mobility within the postsecondary education sector.

 

  • During a visit to Barrie in August 2013, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne commented that “Barrie is making a very strong case” for a university campus.

 

  • The provincial government’s Request for Proposals for Major Capacity Expansion has invited Ontario universities to lead proposals for new post-secondary capacity in the province. Outcomes in this process are expected in 2015.

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.

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