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New Starbucks, Bistro At Laurentian University Sudbury Campus

New Starbucks, Bistro At Laurentian University Sudbury Campus

September 14, 2012 - Laurentian University today announced the opening of two new food and beverage locations at its Ramsey Lake Road campus, part of a long-term plan to create dynamic new social spaces for students, staff and faculty, and to enhance campus life.

“We’ve looked at the University setting as a series of neighbourhoods, and we are responding to the needs of these areas with new services,” said Laurentian VP, Administration, Carol McAulay.  “The additional food and drink options will be a reflection of the needs expressed by our university community,” she added. 

The new Starbucks location is at the western end of the campus, between the Library and the Engineering building.  It will offer a range of snacks, coffee, blended and bottled beverages, and will provide 32 additional seating spaces adjacent to the Library.  Renovations to the Rotunda of the Library have also created 4 new quiet study rooms and a fifth room was created on the second level.

The East Bistro is located on the ground floor of the new East Residence building, officially opened in late August.  East Bistro will offer a range of hot and cold beverages and a menu of fresh food choices, including salads and Panini (grilled sandwiches).  The Bistro provides comfortable seating as well as an array of armchairs around a fireplace. 

The university’s main cafeteria location in the Great Hall will also undergo a makeover in the year ahead.  As part of a long-term $2-million food services modernization plan, the University will begin renovations in the Great Hall in the spring/summer of 2013.

“We’re really responding to what we’ve heard from students, in providing a broader range of food and beverage options, and at the same time creating comfortable and welcoming spaces for our students, staff and faculty to relax, read and socialize,” said VP McAulay.  “The overall plan is to enhance the student experience on campus, but we hope that all members of the broader Sudbury community will enjoy the benefits of these improvements,” she added.

Laurentian Architecture to begin work at Elm and Elgin site

Laurentian Architecture to begin work at Elm and Elgin site

September 9, 2012 - Work on Laurentian University’s new School of Architecture will be proceeding in the weeks ahead at the historic intersection of Elm and Elgin Streets in downtown Sudbury.  The transfer of title for the property took effect on November 6, 2012.  Laurentian University purchased the site from the City of Greater Sudbury as the home of Canada’s newest School of Architecture, which will welcome its charter class of students in September 2013.

The first cohort of students will be studying in renovated space in the CPR Freight Shed, while faculty offices will be located in the CP Telegraph Building.   Both structures were erected on the site in the early 20th century and will be incorporated into the design of the new School, which is scheduled to be completed in 2015.  

“This is an exciting juncture for the Architecture project, and we are anxious to begin the work of preparing the buildings for occupancy next fall,” said Laurentian Architecture’s Founding Director, Dr. Terrance Galvin.  “Phase One of the renovation work will give us our studio and seminar space for the first two years of the School’s operation,” said Galvin.

Bids have been received for Phase One of the Laurentian Architecture construction project from a list of Ontario contractors who were successful in the pre-qualifying process.

“We were pleased to see several northern Ontario companies qualified to bid, as well as some firms from other parts of the province,” said Brad Parkes, Director, Capital Projects at Laurentian University.  The successful bid for the Phase One contract is expected to be announced in mid-December. 

The renovations to the Freight Shed in Phase One will include upgraded insulation and new finishes to the interior, new siding and roofing, as well as updated electrical, mechanical and ventilation systems.  The brick and mortar of the Telegraph Building will be freshened, and many of the interior surfaces re-finished, while the original wooden staircase will be refurbished.  Laurentian Architecture and its design team have worked with Sudbury’s Local Heritage Committee in planning the renovations of the CP Telegraph Building, and all changes will respect the integrity of this historic downtown landmark.

To mark the occasion of Laurentian Architecture’s beginnings at Elm and Elgin Streets, there will be a ground-breaking and “welcome ceremony” at sunrise on Friday, November 23rd, 2012.  The event will include a blessing of the land, under the auspices of the Whitefish Lake First Nation and Chief Steven Miller.

New Varsity Hockey Coaches Introduced

New Varsity Hockey Coaches Introduced

September 6, 2012 - Laurentian University Athletics Director Peter Hellstrom today introduced the two coaches who will lead the University’s Varsity men’s and women’s teams for the 2013 Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS) season.  

“We had a huge amount of interest in these two positions, and some very compelling candidates.  We couldn’t be happier with the two coaches we’ve selected, and we have very high hopes for the Voyageurs’ hockey prospects in 2013 and beyond,” said Hellstrom at a news conference.  

Stacey Colarossi joins the Voyageurs as Head Coach of the Women’s hockey team from York University, where she has been the lead associate coach of the women’s Lions hockey team for nine seasons. 

She has also served as assistant coach for Team Ontario and for the Canadian women’s team at the FISU World event in 2011.  Colarossi is a fully-certified NCCP level 3 and Hockey Canada high performance level 2 coach, and played her junior hockey in Brampton, Ontario. Colarossi is extremely highly regarded in the elite hockey community and is seen as a tremendous hire by Laurentian around which to build the program.  

“The talent that’s out there in women’s hockey both locally, as well as across the country is phenomenal, and I’m thrilled about the prospect of building a team from the ground up,” said Colarossi. “I’m confident that we can be competitive from the outset, and I’m anxious to get on the ice and prove it,” she added.  

A familiar face will be at the helm of the men’s varsity team for Laurentian.  Craig Duncanson was head coach of the university’s men’s varsity team from 1997-99, following his own professional career as a player from 1985-1997.  Duncanson was a first-round draft pick in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft, and went on to play five seasons with the Los Angeles Kings.  Duncanson later played with the Winnipeg Jets, and the New York Rangers, along with stints in the AHL and the IHL over the course of his career.  

Duncanson also has a long resumé of coaching and development assignments.  Most recently, he has served as Head Coach of the OHL’s Under 16 Development Program, Associate Coach of the Sudbury Wolves Minor Midgets, and an evaluator in the Hockey Canada Under 17 Program.  

“I’m honoured to be coming back to Laurentian for the return of varsity hockey in this community,” said Duncanson.  “This is a proud hockey town, and Laurentian’s Voyageurs are going to take their rightful place in the game.  Building a team from the ground up is a dream job for me, and there’s no question that Laurentian should be a powerhouse in the CIS.”  

“We’re all tremendously excited about the return of varsity hockey,” said Laurentian Chief of Staff Chris Mercer.  “This is a ‘game-changer’ for the University,” he added.  

LU Officially Opens New Residence Building

LU Officially Opens New Residence Building

August 30, 2012 - With the snip of a ribbon, Laurentian University today officially opened the newest residence facility on the Ramsey Lake Road campus. The New Residence is a 12-storey complex providing accommodation for 236 upper year students in ‘suite-style’ living spaces.

The New Residence is the 5th Laurentian residence on campus, and the first since the adjacent West Residence was opened in 2006. Along with the residences of the three Federated Universities (Huntington, Thorneloe and the University of Sudbury), Laurentian now has 8 residence facilities on its main campus. The New Residence brings total campus housing capacity to 1600.

“This beautiful new building allows us to meet the significant and growing demand for residence accommodation, while adding a fresh look to our campus silhouette,” said Laurentian Vice-President, Administration, Carol McAulay.

The New Residence has 62 self-contained apartments, each unit having three or four single bedrooms, two bathrooms, and shared living room and kitchen. The apartments are also wired for cable TV, high-speed internet and telephone service. The New Residence will serve 3rd and 4th year students and is already filled to capacity as the fall 2012 academic year is set to open.

Laurentian guarantees a place in residence for first-year students, who make up about 35% of all students living in residence. The university also has a high proportion of returning students who are seeking accommodation on campus, according to Manager of Residences Ben Demianiuk.

“Laurentian is unique in that so many of our students want to live on campus throughout their 3 or 4 years of study,” said Demianiuk. “The New Residence responds to the needs of the upper year students, allowing for privacy and quiet spaces while also providing ready access to all of the amenities and social activities of residence life,” he added.

“It really is a wonderful place to live and to study. It’s a very comfortable environment with some very impressive views,” said SGA President Andrew Rollins. “We’re fortunate to have this kind of facility to add to our housing supply here on campus.”

The $20M project was designed by local architects J.L.Richards and built by Sudbury-based construction firm TESC Contracting. 

Architecture to Showcase Cross-Laminated Timber

Architecture to Showcase Cross-Laminated Timber

August 27, 2012 - A provincial investment of $350,000 through the Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-Economy (CRIBE) will help to fund the incorporation of cross-laminated timber technology, or CLT, in the construction of Laurentian University’s School of Architecture.  The CRIBE grant will allow Laurentian Architecture to showcase the first significant use of cross-laminated timber in a public building in Ontario.

An engineered wood product, CLT is made by gluing and pressing together successive layers of spruce, pine or fir 2x4s or 2x6s to form large solid blocks or sheets that can be precision-trimmed to specific purposes.  CLT manufactured products can be used as walls, floors and roof panels in building construction.  CLT construction is now being widely used in Europe, and is increasingly seen in taller wooden structures in the United States and in British Columbia. 

“The possibilities created by CLT really are exciting from the architectural point of view,” said Laurentian Architecture’s Founding Director, Dr. Terrance Galvin.  “This innovation in materials fits perfectly with our focus on green and sustainable building techniques, as well as our commitment to northern and Canadian design.”

“We are thrilled by CRIBE’s support for this forward-looking initiative,” said Laurentian Vice-President, Administration, Carol McAulay. “We wanted Laurentian Architecture to speak to a future generation of designers and architects, and this generous investment will help us realize that vision.”

In making the announcement today, Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci called it a “great boost, not only for Laurentian Architecture, but for Ontario’s forest industry.”

“Our government has and will continue to work to support this important sector. This is good news for the lumber producers and manufacturers across northern Ontario and beyond, as we explore new and innovative techniques to expand the use of wood and value-added wood products,” he added.

CRIBE is a non-profit agency set up by the Ontario government to advance the commercialization of the forest products industry in the province. 

The CRIBE grant will assist in the purchase of CLT materials, and will also defray the costs for the consultant team including building code experts, to develop strategies to successfully detail and secure approvals for the 2-storey section of the new Laurentian School of Architecture, set to open in the fall of 2015.

Current schematic designs by Levitt Goodman Architects show the West Wing of the new structure, comprising the Classroom, Lecture Hall and Library, built with CLT.  Much of the 12,000-sf structure would be exposed to view, with clear curtain glazing.  The result will be “a beautiful use of wood, creating a warm and acoustically tempered environment,” according to the architects.

“We are tremendously excited to be involved with CRIBE and to have the opportunity to showcase CLT in a purpose-built school of architecture,” said lead architect Janna Levitt.  “We also hope this demonstration project will stimulate interest in developing local manufacturing of the product.”

CRIBE is the sole funder of the Wood Demonstration Project at Laurentian Architecture.  The new School, the first to open in Canada in more than 40 years, has also received significant funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, and the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation, TD Insurance Meloche Monnex and the organization representing businesses and service providers in Downtown Sudbury. 

Donations to Laurentian Architecture will be used to support scholarships, bursaries, state-of-the-art computer software, and resources needed for the Community Design/Build projects.

Margaret Atwood Returns to Sudbury for Birthday Dinner

Margaret Atwood Returns to Sudbury for Birthday Dinner

August 20, 2012 - Laurentian University will once again welcome Canadian author, critic and poet Margaret Atwood on her annual birthday visit, with a gala dinner and performance in her honour.  

The event will be held on Tuesday, November 13th, 2012, in the Vale Inco Cavern at Science North.  The evening will include a reading by Ms. Atwood from her upcoming collection of short stories.   

This year’s Birthday Dinner will also feature a multi-media performance by Manitoulin Island’s renowned Debajehmujig Theatre Group, commissioned for the event, and titled My Cousin’s Cousin’s Cousin, Margaret Atwood.     

A portion of the proceeds from the evening will go toward the building fund for Laurentian University’s Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre.   

The birthday of Canada’s most esteemed writer has become a seasonal fixture at Laurentian University, as the Department of English has organized celebrations of Ms. Atwood and her work since 2004.  In 2009, Ms. Atwood celebrated her 70thbirthday at Laurentian while presiding over a staged dramatization of her novel, The Year of the Flood.  In 2011, proceeds from the Birthday Dinner helped to establish the Margaret Atwood Scholarship Fund, with awards for students in both the Humanities and the Sciences. A portion of the proceeds from this year's event will be directed toward the Scholarship Fund.  

Tickets for the evening are $70 per person.  Tax receipts will be provided for a portion of the ticket value. For more information, please contact Professor Susan Glovers glover@laurentian.ca or Professor Shannon Hengen shengen@laurentian.ca   

LU Recruits Top-Flight Academic

LU Recruits Top-Flight Academic

August 8, 2012 - Laurentian University appointed Dr. Wayne Warry to the position of Director of the Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research (CRaNHR) at Laurentian University starting September 1st, 2012.

The Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research is an academic and applied research centre with sites at Laurentian University in Sudbury and at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario.  The Centre’s mandate is to conduct interdisciplinary research on rural health with the goal of improving health services, access to health care, particularly in rural and northern communities, and enhancing our understanding of the health care system.

“Dr. Warry is a welcomed addition to our academic community and will certainly help drive forward the goals outlined in the strategic research plan in the area of health and wellness,” said Dr. Patrice Sawyer, Vice-President, Francophone Affairs, Research & Graduate Studies at Laurentian University.  “He impressed the committee with his vision for the CRaNHR.  Dr. Warry has several current projects involving research with Aboriginal communities and understands the need for significant community engagement and the importance to commit to participatory research.”

Dr. Wayne Warry previously served as Professor and Chair of the Department of Anthropology, McMaster University.  His career at McMaster has spanned over 20 years.  He holds a Ph.D. in anthropology from The Australian National University (ANU), a Masters in anthropology from McMaster University and an Honours B.A. in Anthropology, Summa Cum Laude also from McMaster University. 

"I am excited by the opportunity to help build and expand on CRaNHR’s already established reputation in applied health research and to develop, in collaboration with the researchers affiliated with the Centre, new programs of research that will enhance the delivery of health services to rural and remote populations and help to improve the health of Northern Ontarians,” said Dr. Warry. 

View Laurentian University’s 2012-2017 Strategic Research Plan

LU Scores Varsity Hockey for 2013 Season

LU Scores Varsity Hockey for 2013 Season

July 5, 2012 - Laurentian University will soon begin the process of selecting coaches for the 2013 season of men’s and women’s varsity hockey at Laurentian. The hiring process was given the green light with the formal approval of the University’s multi-year budget by Laurentian’s Board of Governors on June 22nd.  

“Our coaches are the first key piece in our plans to build two successful varsity teams,” said Athletics Director Peter Hellstrom. “This has been a long time coming, and we’re very excited about the next steps toward the dropping of the puck in 2013.”  

While next year’s OUA season will mark the debut of women’s hockey at Laurentian, mens’ Voyageur hockey will be returning to the ice after a 13-year hiatus. The men’s squad will build on a storied history of remarkable players and coaching talent. On the ice, Denis Castonguay is one of the most recognizable names among the many Voyageur hockey alumni. A member of the Voyageurs from 1983-1988, Castonguay still holds the OUA records for career points (265), career goals (124), points in a season (72), and goals in a season (35). Behind the bench, Jack Porter was among the notable coaches in Voyageur history. Porter coached Laurentian hockey from its inception in 1962 through to 1973, and for three more seasons through the 1970’s and 1980’s. During his tenure, Porter guided the Voyageurs to 7 conference championships culminating in a trip to the CIAU championship game in 1967. Both Castonguay and Porter are members of the Alumni Voyageur Hall of Fame.  

“The return of varsity hockey is thrilling for students, for the university community, and we believe it’s also a great development for the City,” said Chris Mercer, Chief of Staff at Laurentian University. “Our athletes have had a lot of success in recent years and we are very proud that OUA hockey will be back at Laurentian in a big way.”  

Hellstrom said the coaching staff will be crucial in player recruitment and development, but will also play a leading role in hockey in the broader community. “Our coaches will be mentoring and supporting hockey at all levels, through schools and camps. We intend on re-establishing the Voyageur brand in hockey, and backing it up with an excellent coaching corps.”  

When asked about the goals for the teams, Hellstrom added, “We’re going to be competitive from day 1. We’re going to be very aggressive in drawing the best from all the superb hockey talent that’s out there.”   Continue to follow the development of the hockey program and the rest of the Lady Vees and Voyageurs at www.luvoyageurs.com.

LU Approves Ambitious Multi-Year Budget

LU Approves Ambitious Multi-Year Budget

June 25, 2012 - Laurentian University’s Board of Governors unanimously approved a balanced budget of $132.1 million for 2012-2013, as well as a multi-year budget until 2017-18 aligned with the outcomes identified in the University’s five-year Strategic Plan. The budget was presented to the Board of Governors after a broad consultation process, seeing over 300 students, faculty and staff in Sudbury and Barrie weigh in over 16 different sessions.

“We have aligned our budget with the university’s key goals and aspirations and are investing in high quality academic programs, research excellence and student supports,” said Dominic Giroux, President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University. “We are focused on achieving the outcomes set out in our strategic, academic and research plans.”

Some of the notable investments include:

  • $42.6M for the new School of Architecture;
  • $35M to support campus modernization in Sudbury (including classroom redesign, new collaborative spaces, one-stop student services, and a new front door welcoming     centre);
  • $7.9M by 2017-18 to address deferred maintenance;
  • $6M for the rehabilitation of the Single Student Residence (SSR);
  • $4.1M by 2017-18 to support the international accreditation of the Faculty of Management;
  • $2.8M by 2017-18 to reintroduce men’s and introduce women’s hockey in the Fall of 2013;
  • $2.1M by 2017-18 to launch the School of Mines;
  • $2M to modernize food services on campus, including a new Starbucks in 2012 and full renovation of the Great Hall in 2013;
  • $1.8M by 2017-18 to increase staff training and professional development;
  • $1.4M by 2017-18 to enhance services through the Centre for Academic Excellence;
  • $1.05M by 2017-18 to secure full funding for the construction of the Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre, enhance proactive hiring practices for Aboriginal faculty and staff, and increase Indigenous content in courses.

The plan calls for enrolment growth of 1,150 students by 2017-18, and the university will do so while raising the average entry grade even higher, from 81% to 83% and continuing to diversify and grow its international student population.

Barrie operations will see an increased investment of $0.8M in 2012-13, including 3 new faculty members to support program expansion and a new Associate Vice-President, Administration and External Relations. The University has pledged $14M towards a new campus in downtown Barrie, a pledge which has been matched by the City of Barrie.

The approved budget includes significant investments in faculty and staff renewal. Key 2012-13 hires include a Canada Research Chair in Geochemistry, a Canada Research Chair in Environmental Microbiology, a Research Chair in Occupational Health and Safety, 20 other faculty hirings, more full-time counselors, an additional technologist in the Bharti School of Engineering, the Executive Director of the School of Mines, additional staff in Sudbury for security, marketing and capital projects, additional administrative and student recruitment support in Barrie.

“We are one of the few Canadian universities in a strong financial position,” offered Laurentian Vice-President of Administration, Carol McAulay. “We have balanced budgets projected for at least the next six years, we have a solvent pension plan and low long-term debt ratios. This allows us to move forward with so many game-changing investments. It’s an exciting time to be at Laurentian.”

Craig Fowler named Associate Vice-President in Barrie

Craig Fowler named Associate Vice-President in Barrie

June 20, 2012 - Laurentian University President and Vice-Chancellor Dominic Giroux today announced the appointment of Craig Fowler as the first Associate Vice-President, Administration and External Relations for Laurentian in Barrie.   

Fowler will champion high quality services and supports for students, faculty and staff at Laurentian in Barrie.  He will be responsible for the administrative infrastructure in Barrie, for supporting and developing student recruitment and marketing strategies, and will also have responsibility for community engagement, government relations, alumni relations and development in Barrie.  His appointment takes effect August 7, 2012. He will be joining Dr. Bernadette Schell, Laurentian’s Vice-Provost in Barrie, who oversees academic operations since 2010.  

Fowler was most recently Director of Risk Management at the Pan/Parapan American Games Secretariat, which is responsible for overseeing Ontario’s financial commitments to the Games, and had been working with the organizing committee for the 2015 Games in Toronto.   

Previously, Fowler led the Commission on the Reform of Ontario’s Public Services for the Ontario Ministry of Finance.  He has also served in a number of senior roles for nine years at the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation, including as Director of Scientific and Research Collaborations and Director of the Research Branch. He began his career in economic development with the town of Richmond Hill.  

“Craig’s experience in public administration and in the research community, his undergraduate education in urban planning and graduate education in economic development, and his strong community ties in Barrie make him uniquely suited to oversee Laurentian’s continued growth in Barrie,” said President Giroux.  “We are thrilled to be able to add him to our team as a key player in Laurentian’s Barrie operations.”  

“Laurentian has really impressed me and many others in the community with its vision of a downtown Barrie campus,” said Mr. Fowler.  “Being born and raised here, and having a background in urban planning, economic development and research collaborations, I can’t imagine a more exciting organization and project to be a part of.”   

Laurentian University has offered programs in Barrie through a partnership with Georgian College since 2001, and continues to expand to meet the needs of the community.  There are more than 1,200 students currently enrolled in Laurentian’s programs in Barrie. Programs currently offered include the Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, English, History, Law and Justice, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology; the Bachelor of Social Work; the Bachelor of Business Administration; and the Masters in Business Administration. Laurentian University plans to introduce in Barrie new programs in Information Technology Security / Data Centres and Management, among others over the next few years.   Laurentian continues to work with the provincial government to secure $40 million in funding for a downtown Barrie campus, as proposed in June 2010 as part of the University’s 10-year long-term capital plan submitted to the province. Laurentian University pledged $14 million toward the project in June 2011, a commitment that was matched in November 2011 by Barrie City Council. 

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