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Laurentian University and the Laurentian University Faculty Association Ratify Three-Year Collective Agreement

Laurentian University and the Laurentian University Faculty Association Ratify Three-Year Collective Agreement

Laurentian’s Board of Governors unanimously ratified the agreement today.

October 10, 2017

The Laurentian University Faculty Association (LUFA) and Laurentian University have formally ratified a new collective agreement. On Friday, LUFA members voted 98% in favour of the 3-year extension to the collective agreement which expired on June 30.  Laurentian’s Board of Governors unanimously ratified the agreement today.

“This agreement is good news for our employees and the entire Laurentian community. I want to thank both the Laurentian University and the LUFA bargaining teams for their hard work and cooperation,” said Dr. Pierre Zundel, Laurentian University Interim President and Vice Chancellor. “This agreement will provide our faculty with the stability and supports to continue providing our students with a world-class education, and will provide organizational stability as we finalize the University’s 2018-2023 Strategic Plan.”

The 3-year contract extension will remain in effect until June 30, 2020. Under the terms of the agreement, LUFA members will receive a normative annual salary increase, and both sides agreed to begin discussions with regard to pension and workload equity.

“I want to thank both negotiation teams for their hard work in seeing this very tough round of negotiations through,” said Dr. Jim Ketchen, LUFA President. “We believe that both the Laurentian Board and the University Administration have heard the concerns of faculty and that in responding to those concerns, this agreement positions Laurentian University in a quite positive way to move forward in providing quality education and the production of very important research.”

Laurentian University and LUFA want to thank members of the bargaining teams led by Dr. Denis Hurtubise for LUFA and Geoff Tierney for Laurentian University, for their commitment and dedication to achieving a mutually beneficial agreement.

Classes will resume on Wednesday October 11th for students who do not have a scheduled reading week.  All other students will resume on October 16th.

LUFA represents 373 full-time and 304 part-time Faculty members at Laurentian University in Sudbury and Barrie.
 

About Laurentian University

Laurentian University offers an outstanding university experience in English and French, with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education.  Laurentian University, situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinabe peoples of Atikameksheng First Nation, prepares students as agents of change and empowers them to create innovative responses to local and global challenges. Laurentian’s students benefit from small class sizes and exceptional post-graduation employment rates.  With nine Canada Research Chairs and nineteen research centres, Laurentian is a recognized leader in its specialized areas of research strength, which include mining innovation and exploration, stressed watershed systems, particle astrophysics, rural and northern children’s health, and occupational health and safety.

Laurentian University and faculty association reach tentative agreement

Laurentian University and faculty association reach tentative agreement

October 10, 2017

Although it was previously mentioned that classes would resume on Tuesday October 10th, at this point in time, pending a final ratification vote, classes will only start on Wednesday the 11th of October - for those who had a regularly scheduled class time that day (Faculty of Education and Barrie, for example). The reading week continues as scheduled for those who had one. A confirmation email will be sent to firm up the October 11th date after the ratification vote takes place.  Placements can also resume as of that date, as long as the department gives its approval.

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October 7, 2017

The Laurentian University Faculty Association (LUFA) and Laurentian University are pleased to announce they have reached a tentative agreement that will end the faculty strike.

“I am pleased that both bargaining teams have reached an agreement that fulfills the needs of our faculty and the university,” said Interim Laurentian President and Vice-Chancellor, Pierre Zundel. "Now we can all get back to providing a world-class education to our students."

“I am proud of our team and what we have all accomplished,” added Dr. Jim Ketchen, President of LUFA. “It hasn’t been easy but both sides should be congratulated for reaching this agreement.”

The tentative agreement is subject to ratification by LUFA members and the University’s Board of Governors.

Both parties will work to ensure ratification votes happen as quickly as possible so that faculty and students can return to the classroom.

LUFA and Laurentian University are committed to moving forward together to make sure that the return to class is smooth.

Classes will resume on October 16th for those students with a reading week. Courses in Barrie and online will resume Tuesday pending ratification.  More details will be available at laurentian.ca.

The terms of the tentative agreement will not be disclosed at this time.

The linkage between the "rotten-egg" gas and appetite revealed

The linkage between the "rotten-egg" gas and appetite revealed

Laurentian University researcher Dr. Jeffrey Gagnon made an interesting discovery on the linkage between the “rotten-egg” gas, H2S, and appetite in experimental mice.  This discovery was just published in the October issue of  Endocrinology 158(10): 3416-3425, 2017. The paper, titled Hydrogen sulfide and sulfate prebiotic stimulates the secretion of GLP-1 and improves glycemia in male mice, comes out of research funded by Dr. Gagnon’s NSERC Discovery Program grant.

Dr. Gagnon’s study examined the impact of the microbial gas, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), on GLP-1 regulation in both cells and animals. GLP-1 is a gastrointestinal derived hormone that suppresses appetite and maintains steady blood glucose levels. Dr. Gagnon’s study showed that H2S donors (sodium hydrosulfide and GYY4137) increased the amount of GLP-1 secretion in vitro in mouse GLP-1 cells. He also determined that this occurs through the P38 MAPK intracellular pathway. This is interesting news, as the mechanisms by which H2S enters and acts on cells are not yet fully understood; more investigation into the interaction between H2S and P38 MAPK could provide vital clues.

The study also examined the link between the levels of H2S produced in the colons of mice, and secretion of GLP-1. Dr. Gagnon’s team found that mice fed a diet supplemented with the prebiotic chondroitin sulfate had elevated levels of bacteria called Desulfovibrio piger—a sulfate-reducing bacterium—in their feces, as well as elevated production of H2S. These mice also produced more GLP-1, which led to a greater insulin response, improved glucose tolerance, and after some time, a reduction in appetite. Future work in his lab will examine whether long term increases in colonic H2S production can reduce body weight and reverse impaired glucose metabolism.

These results open a number of possible directions for further investigation—rather exciting ones, given that therapies based on gastrointestinal hormones like GLP-1 have recently been approved for use treating obesity and type 2 diabetes.

A full copy of Dr. Gagnon’s paper can be found here: https://academic.oup.com/endo/article/doi/10.1210/en.2017-00391/4058080/Hydrogen-sulfide-and-sulfate-prebiotic-stimulates

Grand finale for largest modernization project in university's history

Grand finale for largest modernization project in university's history

Laurentian’s $63M Campus Modernization project concludes with opening of new Welcome Centre and unveiling of The Next 50 Campaign donor recognition display

Laurentian University celebrated the conclusion of its $63M campus modernization project with the official opening of a new Welcome Centre. Located at the centre of campus, the new point of welcome and orientation gives students and visitors a clear point of arrival, and an opportunity to access campus information and services.

Transformations to the Sudbury campus include; a new Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre, a new Executive Learning Centre, a University Club, renovations to 60 classrooms and laboratories, a massive revamp to its Alphonse Raymond building and the addition of a spectacular welcome centre and atrium that rises up through three floors. The new atrium provides informal study and social spaces at each floor level, and the stepped seating area rising from the main floor will also support special campus events.

“Since the project began in October 2014, we have seen 250,000 square feet of construction to classroom, research, study, and public space,” said Pierre Zundel, Laurentian University’s Interim President and Vice-Chancellor.  “This was Laurentian’s biggest renovation and expansion program since its establishment in the 1960’s and it is inspiring to see our students now experiencing the benefits from this massive undertaking.”

The new Welcome Centre also features a large display to recognize the more than 200 donors who contributed over $10,000 to the University’s Next 50 Campaign. This fundraising initiative, which was launched to mark Laurentian’s 50th anniversary in 2010, had over 10,000 donors and raised more than $65-million that contributed to several important projects including; a state-of-the-art water ecology research centre, the creation of more than 200 new scholarships and bursaries, establishment of the Goodman School of Mines and created Canada’s first research Chair in open-pit mining.

“The story of The Next 50 Campaign is one that is filled with inspiring examples of donor generosity, student success and remarkable community support,” said Tracy MacLeod, Chief Advancement Officer at Laurentian University and Director of The Next 50 Campaign. “Seeing the names of the individuals who invested in our students is a daily reminder of the transformative effect The Next 50 Campaign had on philanthropy in Northern Ontario.”

“This new Welcome Centre has quickly become the heart of our beautiful campus, making it the perfect location to celebrate the conclusion of our University’s ambitious modernization project,  said Jennifer Witty, Chair of the Laurentian Board of Governors. “So many of the outcomes in our 2012-2018 Strategic Plan were tied to this project and I am incredibly proud of the entire Laurentian community for their flexibility, patience and guidance during this process.  Working together, we have set the foundation to building an institution that will serve our region for generations to come.”

 

About Laurentian University

Laurentian University offers an outstanding university experience in English and French, with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education.  Laurentian University, situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinabe peoples of Atikameksheng First Nation, prepares students as agents of change and empowers them to create innovative responses to local and global challenges. Laurentian’s students benefit from small class sizes and exceptional post-graduation employment rates.  With nine Canada Research Chairs and nineteen research centres, Laurentian is a recognized leader in its specialized areas of research strength, which include mining innovation and exploration, stressed watershed systems, particle astrophysics, rural and northern children’s health, and occupational health and safety. 

Laurentian University launches Canada's first Master's degree in Science Communication

Laurentian University launches Canada's first Master's degree in Science Communication

Canada’s first and only comprehensive Master’s program in Science Communication was celebrated today at Laurentian University. The first cohort of students enrolled in this 12-month intense program began courses in early September.

The Master’s program in Science Communication delivers a multi-disciplinary experience that covers the theory underlying good communication, as well as the practical challenges of effectively communicating science and the issues involving science in society. Students currently enrolled in the 9-month Graduate Diploma in Science Communication program have been able to transition to the Master’s by completing an additional three months of study.

“This Master’s program is a natural extension of the graduate diploma that we have been offering in partnership with Science North since 2005,” said Dr. Chantal Barriault, Director of the Science Communication program at Laurentian University. “The Master’s in Science Communication will address the growing demand we have seen for our graduates. Science is woven into decisions at every level of our lives. People should be able to make informed choices without needing a science degree to do that.  That’s where our students come in.”

Barriault says trends in science research, industry, and public policy have prompted a need for trained people in this rapidly growing field. Laurentian’s graduates are specialists in communicating the work of leading researchers and scientists to diverse audiences, from young children to politicians. They are employed in a range of fields, including government and non-governmental organizations, industry, science centres, zoos, aquariums, popular science publications, and leading research institutions.

Guy Labine, CEO of Science North stated, “Science North’s core mission is to involve people in the relationship between science and everyday life by communicating science to people in a way they can understand and enjoy. When we launched the Science Communication Graduate Diploma Program 12 years ago, in partnership with Laurentian University, we saw it as a natural extension of what we do every day at our science centres. The evolution of the program to a Masters reflects the growing acknowledgement in the world of the importance of science communication. Graduates of this program can have a real impact on our understanding and comprehension of science today. All of this wouldn’t be possible without our close partnership with Laurentian University, Dr. Chantal Barriault and Dr. David Pearson, and my predecessor Jim Marchbank.”

“We are thrilled to be offering this exceptional Science Communication program at the Masters level and we look forward to building on its incredible success with our partners at Science North,” said Serge Demers, Vice-President Academic and Provost.

More information about the program can be found at https://laurentian.ca/program/science-communication.

 

About Science North

Science North is Northern Ontario’s most popular tourist attraction and an educational resource for children and adults across the province, operating the second- and eighth-largest science centres in Canada. Science North’s attractions include a science centre, IMAX® theatre, planetarium, butterfly gallery, special exhibits hall, and Dynamic Earth: Home of the Big Nickel, a separate science centre focused on mining and earth sciences. In addition to the two science centres in Sudbury, Science North also oversees an award-winning-Large Format Film production unit, as well as an International Sales unit, which develops custom and ready-made exhibits for sale or lease to science centres, museums, and other cultural institutions all over the world. Science North, in partnership with Laurentian University, offers North America’s first and only Science Communication program. As part of its mandate, Science North provides science experiences throughout Northern Ontario including outreach to schools and festivals, summer science camps and more, and has a permanent base in Thunder Bay providing outreach to the Northwest. Science North is an agency of the Government of Ontario. For more information please visit sciencenorth.ca.

 

About Laurentian University

Laurentian University offers an outstanding university experience in English and French, with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education.  Laurentian University, situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinabe peoples of Atikameksheng First Nation, prepares students as agents of change and empowers them to create innovative responses to local and global challenges. Laurentian’s students benefit from small class sizes and exceptional post-graduation employment rates.  With nine Canada Research Chairs and nineteen research centres, Laurentian is a recognized leader in its specialized areas of research strength, which include mining innovation and exploration, stressed watershed systems, particle astrophysics, rural and northern children’s health, and occupational health and safety. 

Laurentian's Dr. Kauppi recognized for research on homelessness

Laurentian's Dr. Kauppi recognized for research on homelessness

Director of the Centre for Research in Social Justice and Policy receives Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council 2017 Impact Partnership Award

Laurentian University researcher Dr. Carol Kauppi was in Ottawa today to receive an award for her accomplishments in working with university and community partners to understand homelessness in northern Ontario. Dr. Kauppi received a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) 2017 Impact Award for her research into sources of social and economic inequality and strategies for working toward social justice.

The Impact Awards recognize outstanding researchers and celebrate their achievements in research, research training, knowledge mobilization, and outreach activities funded partially or completely by SSHRC. The Partnership Award recognizes Dr. Kauppi as a champion in bringing forward the very best ideas in the social sciences and humanities, and in helping to understand and improve the world around us, today and into the future. The award comes with a $50,000 grant that will be used to extend research on hidden homelessness as it relates to reconciliation between Indigenous and non-indigenous people.

“Hidden homelessness is exactly what it sounds like.  It’s about people without a stable roof over their heads who go largely unnoticed,” said Dr. Carol Kauppi, Laurentian University Professor and Director of the Centre for Research in Social Justice and Policy. “It can affect young people who are couch surfing, seniors who cannot afford appropriate accommodations, people living in bush camps, or families living with housing hardship in overcrowded, substandard conditions.”

Dr. Kauppi’s work has examined various forms of homelessness and extreme poverty among a number of vulnerable groups including women, young people, families, and seniors in key cultural groups of northeastern Ontario. The research program linked to the award will focus on Indigenous populations in particular as part of an effort to implement 15 calls to action issued by Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). The research will relate knowledge of hidden homelessness to underlying issues pertaining to housing hardship among Indigenous populations of northeastern Ontario, and work toward identifying solutions to improve relations between Canada’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

“All orders of government have been paying more attention in recent years to rising poverty and homelessness, and that is a positive step,” said Dr. Kauppi. “But if we are going to create good public policy and make investments that help as many people as possible, we need a more accurate understanding of how many Canadians are affected, and in what manner. I’m grateful to SSHRC for this recognition and looking forward to continuing this much needed research with a bilingual tri-cultural, interdisciplinary team in Sudbury.”

Dr. Kauppi is preparing to expand her research into hidden homeless on a national scale. With a grant from SSHRC, she will lead a group of researchers from Laurentian University, the University of Sudbury and the Sudbury and District Health Unit. They will conduct a series of workshops on the issues, bring colleagues from across the country together, lead a national conference, and publish a book on hidden homelessness and reconciliation.

“I congratulate Dr. Kauppi on her work and on this SSHRC award,” said Dr. Rui Wang, Vice-President, Research at Laurentian University. “Laurentian University is proud, not only of its leadership role in research, but in the dedication of our people to work in partnership with community and government stakeholders to develop projects that will improve people’s lives. Dr. Kauppi is a stellar example.”

 

About Laurentian University

Laurentian University offers an outstanding university experience in English and French, with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education. Laurentian University, situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinabe peoples of Atikameksheng First Nation, prepares students as agents of change and empowers them to create innovative responses to local and global challenges. Laurentian’s students benefit from small class sizes and exceptional post-graduation employment rates.  With nine Canada Research Chairs and nineteen research centres, Laurentian is a recognized leader in its specialized areas of research strength, which include mining innovation and exploration, stressed watershed systems, particle astrophysics, rural and northern children’s health, and occupational health and safety. 

Update: New collective agreement reached between Laurentian University and staff union

Update: New collective agreement reached between Laurentian University and staff union

September 1, 2017

 

The Laurentian University Staff Union (LUSU) and Laurentian University have reached a new collective agreement. Union members voted 93% in favour of the 3-year contract extension negotiated a full 10-months before the LUSU’s current agreement was due to expire.

“This agreement is good news for our employees and the entire Laurentian community. I want to thank our partners at LUSU for their hard work and cooperation,” said Dr. Pierre Zundel, Laurentian University Interim President and Vice Chancellor. “Reaching this agreement almost a year before the expiry of the current collective agreement reflects both the quality of the relationship between the University and LUSU, and our mutual interest in organizational stability as we finalize the University’s 2018-2023 Strategic Plan.”

The 3-year contract extension will remain in effect until June 30, 2021. Under the terms of this agreement, LUSU members will receive economic wage increases of 1.8% on July 1, 2018, 1.5% on July 1, 2019 and 1.5% on July 1, 2020.  Members will increase pension contributions above the Year’s Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YMPE) from 8.2% to 9.9%. Laurentian will continue to equally share the cost of pension contributions. New workforce management language is incorporated to reflect the University’s commitment to no redundancies and allow for flexibility in transferring incumbents to other positions.

“LUSU members are proud of their work to ensure quality operations across every aspect of the Laurentian campus,” said Tom Fenske LUSU President. “We are also proud of the solid relationship that has developed between our union and the University administration. This relationship has allowed us to complete the latest contract process well ahead of schedule and we all look forward to continuing that partnership to the benefit of the entire Laurentian community.”

LUSU represents approximately 280 staff members at Laurentian University. They include: clerical and secretarial employees, technologists, technicians, computer staff, maintenance personnel, library staff including library technicians and assistants, operating engineers, printing services employees and security.

 

About Laurentian University

Laurentian University offers an outstanding university experience in English and French, with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education.  

Laurentian University, situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinabe peoples of Atikameksheng First Nation, prepares students as agents of change and empowers them to create innovative responses to local and global challenges. Laurentian’s students benefit from small class sizes and exceptional post-graduation employment rates.

With nine Canada Research Chairs and nineteen research centres, Laurentian is a recognized leader in its specialized areas of research strength, which include mining innovation and exploration, stressed watershed systems, particle astrophysics, rural and northern children’s health, and occupational health and safety. 

Response to Province Creating First French-Language University in Ontario

Response to Province Creating First French-Language University in Ontario

Laurentian University is looking forward to working with the Province to support French-language postsecondary education in the Centre and South-West that will complement what is currently offered in Ontario.

We will continue to provide high-quality French-language programs that respond to the need of our communities and to our growing population of Francophone students.

Building on its recent multi-million dollar investments in facility renovations, Laurentian will also continue to provide a vibrant French-language living and learning environment. We look forward to being part of the ongoing conversation about French post-secondary education in Ontario.

More than $500,000 in federal funding granted to support mine waste management and forensics research projects

More than $500,000 in federal funding granted to support mine waste management and forensics research projects

Laurentian University will receive $508,765 in federal infrastructure funding for a pair of projects expected to produce ground-breaking results in the fields of mine waste-management and forensics. The funding, from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund, was announced by Federal Minister for Science Kirsty Duncan during a visit to the Laurentian University campus in Sudbury. Minister Duncan announced more than $52-million in research innovation projects at 51 universities across Canada.

 

Projects at Laurentian University

Mining

One of the projects funded by this announcement is a new field and lab analysis facility that will help Nadia Mykytczuk and her team find solutions to the high financial and environmental costs of mining. Dr. Mykytczuk’s work, which focuses on developing alternative mine waste management technologies, especially for a colder northern climate, contributes to making the mining industry cleaner, safer and more efficient.


Forensics and Metabolomics

The federal investment will also fund an advanced mass spectrometry facility that will help define the potential and the limits of what can be concluded in toxicological analysis of skeletal remains and to explore the fundamentals of metabolism. The facility will be used to identify selected chemical compounds, such as toxins and their metabolic by-products in decomposed remains, animal tissues and environmental samples (water, soil, etc), and to measure the concentrations of those compounds. The facility will also be used to explore how metabolism changes with disease, exercise, and even working deep underground.

 

It was great touring @HSNRI this morning with @KirstyDuncanMP @ScienceMin . @MarcSerreMP @Dominic_Giroux Thanks for having us! pic.twitter.com/uvVT2oJuXx

— Paul Lefebvre (@LefebvrePaul) August 15, 2017


The importance of federal infrastructure investment

Laurentian University remains a research leader in Northern Ontario, thanks in large part to investment from our federal partners. Previous CFI investment has funded projects such as the lab shared by Dr. James Watterson and Dr. Thomas Merritt. Among other applications, Dr. Watterson’s research is developing and characterizing methods for analysis of micro samples of blood that are stored as dried spots to assist in forensic investigations of drivers suspected to be impaired by drugs.

Sports Psychology prof to lead international society

Sports Psychology prof to lead international society

Congratulations to Laurentian Professor Dr. Robert Schinke, Canada Research Chair in Multicultural Sport and Physical Activity, who was elected president of the International Society of Sports Psychology earlier this summer.

At 51, Schinke is the prestigious society’s youngest president, and the first Canadian to occupy the post. In his new role he will lead a worldwide effort to help increase sports psychology capacity in developing countries.

In his current research, Schinke is investigating the sport-related challenges new Canadians experience in the country’s sport system.

Since 2000 he has worked extensively with world champion professional boxers featured on HBO, and is currently preparing the Canadian male and female national boxing and karate teams for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Recently, one of his former Ph.D. students was awarded the Governor General's Gold Medal for her dissertation project and subsequently named the International Society of Sport Psychology's Developing Scholar Award Recipient for 2017.

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