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Student General Association elects 2023-2024 leadership

Student General Association elects 2023-2024 leadership

Avery Morin voted President of student association second year in a row

The SGA-AGÉ 2023-2024 executive team from left to right: Timi Aliu, Avery Morin, Zareen Brown and Isaac Vestby.

 

(May 3, 2023) - Laurentian University’s Students’ General Association (SGA-AGÉ) recently held its annual elections for incoming 2023-2024 leadership. Avery Morin, who begins her 4th year in Behavioural Neuroscience and Concurrent Education this fall is eager to lead the SGA-AGÉ in her role as President for the second year in a row. She and other elected student leaders will begin their roles in June:

Speaking about her position and goals for the upcoming year, Morin said: "I’m thrilled to be able to advocate for the students of Laurentian as SGA-AGÉ President and continue to make a difference in my school community. My goal as a student leader is to create a positive environment for current and future students to thrive at Laurentian and with the help of my new team members, I’m confident that we’ll be able to pull it off.”

Since the SGA-AGÉ’s inception in 1960, they have advocated for their members at various administrative and government levels. In addition to their political work by and for students, they organize activities and events that help foster a sense of community amongst students.

“Moving forward, my team plans on increasing engagement throughout the association to ensure that students are informed and connected to the SGA-AGÉ. We’re excited to plan amazing events and work collaboratively with our students to make their time at university the best it can be," said Morin.

For students interested in getting involved with the SGA-AGÉ, by-elections will be held early in the Fall semester of 2023. The Association des étudiantes et étudiants (AEF) and the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) will also be holding by-election in the fall semester.

Geologists “Discovering Ancient to Modern Earth”

Geologists “Discovering Ancient to Modern Earth”

500+ Participating in International Event

(May 2, 2023 - Sudbury, Ontario, Canada) —Laurentian University’s Harquail School of Earth Sciences will host the Annual Meeting of the Geological Association of Canada, Mineralogical Association of Canada, and the Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits (GAC-MAC-SGA) from May 23-31.

More than 500 geologists from across the globe will participate in three days of scientific presentations and six days of field trips and workshops, including symposia on Critical Minerals and Sudbury Geology, and special sessions on Environmental Aspects of Mine Wastes, Geoscience Communication, and a wide range of other geoscientific topics. The Program also includes Special Events on Indigenous Relations, Women in the Geosciences, and the Arctic, the former two of which are open to the public and take place on Friday, May 26. Delivered in hybrid format with both on-site and virtual components, conference abstracts, talks, and posters will be given in English or French. 

Delegates from more than 13 countries, including Australia, South Africa, Portugal, England, China, and Norway, are registered. Participants include leading academics, geoscience students, as well as government and industry representatives.

The theme of the meeting is Discovering Ancient to Modern Earth. “Laurentian University, and Sudbury, are ideal hosts for this year’s meeting,” said Michael Lesher, Chair of the Conference’s Local Organizing Committee. “The city is located within one of the world’s largest and best-preserved meteorite impact craters, is the world’s largest nickel-copper-platinum exploration-mining-service cluster, and is in close proximity to a wide range of interesting geology and some of Canada’s richest and most prolific gold belts. Laurentian University and its Harquail School of Earth Sciences are global leaders in geoscience research and education, and we are proud to welcome visitors from around the world to engage with us through this conference and its programming.” 

For more, visit the conference website or email Sudbury2023@laurentian.ca. 

Laurentian University Selects Transformation Consultant

Laurentian University Selects Transformation Consultant

Deloitte chosen to support operational transformation

(May 1, 2023 - Sudbury, Ontario, Canada) - Laurentian University is on the path to growing its reputation and gaining recognition for its important contributions within Canada’s post-secondary education ecosystem, building on the strength of its tricultural identity and bilingual mandate.

As a step towards achieving this goal, Laurentian University has selected Deloitte to support the University’s operational transformation. The selection process for this important work began in November, 2022 and included a public request for proposals. 

Deloitte provides expertise in supporting organizations through transformational restructuring and significant experience working with both public and private entities. 

“We are pleased to be able to make this announcement as it signals an important milestone in the University’s renewal. Choosing the right partner to support the University through this process is key to ensuring a successful transformation,” said Dr. Sheila Embleton, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University.

The first step of the project will see a detailed Transformation Plan developed through discussion and collaboration with the University’s Transformation Consulting Group, campus leaders, and members of the Laurentian community. The Plan, which is a requirement of the court-approved Amended Plan of Compromise and Arrangement, will consider recommendations provided by Ontario’s Auditor General, the NOUS report, and suggestions generated within the Laurentian community. The Plan will include: overall goals of the transformation, priorities, deliverables, sequencing of projects, a timeline for implementation, and required resources. 

The work to develop the Transformation Plan will begin immediately and is slated to be completed by fall 2023.

Laurentian University Board Approves 2023-2024 Budget

Laurentian University Board Approves 2023-2024 Budget

University regaining financial health with planned surplus of $8.2M

(April 28, 2023) - Laurentian University’s Board of Governors has unanimously approved the 2023-2024 fiscal year budget at their meeting today. This budget represents the result of many months of planning after the University successfully emerged from the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) process.

“Today is an important milestone in the University’s renewal as we plan a sustainable financial future for Laurentian University. The budget will make key investments in critical areas, prioritizing the student experience,” said Jeff Bangs, Chair of the Laurentian University Board of Governors.  

A unique budget planning process began in November 2022 and included multiple planning meetings with budget managers and labour partners. Groups across campus came together to share strategic initiatives to support the University’s renewal. Through this, seven priorities were identified and guided decision making within the approved budget:

  • Enhancing student experience and satisfaction 
  • Faculty renewal in areas of strength and market demand
  • Maintaining program accreditation
  • Improving student enrollment, retention, and career preparedness
  • Rebuilding relationships with research funding agencies
  • Renewing campus facilities and IT infrastructure and systems upgrade
  • Transformation and Strategic Planning

“This budget enables the University to build from a financially sound foundation. Operating from a surplus position ensures we have contingencies in place and minimizes risk. We are looking forward to faculty and staff renewal in order to better the student experience and promote academic excellence,” said Dr. Sheila Embleton, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University.

“This budget sends a message of strength to all of our students and prospective students. It also helps our employees turn the corner and move further away from the difficult times we have had over the last two years,” said Tom Fenske, President, Laurentian University Staff Union (LUSU).

The approved budget is planned to generate a surplus of just over $8 million, demonstrating renewed financial health of the institution. 


Budget 2023-2024 Highlights

  • Total revenue: $196.081M
  • Total expenses: $179.671M
  • Total surplus: $8.210M
  • Scholarships and bursaries: $7.5M 
  • Transformational costs: $7.2M 
  • Deferred maintenance: $8.4M 
     

Laurentian’s Improv Association earns top honours at Brock Improv Summit

Laurentian’s Improv Association earns top honours at Brock Improv Summit

Underdogs celebrate first prize at “Brock From The Dead”

(April 26, 2023) - The Laurentian Improv Association took home the win at the Brock Improv Summit: “Brock From The Dead” in St. Catharines, Ontario. The competition took place in late March and featured students from universities across the province. 

The Laurentian Improv Association is a student-run club founded in 2022 by Grace Bellmore, a third-year Equity, Diversity, and International Human Rights student and President of the association. Bellmore is from Sudbury, Ontario and is an alum from Lasalle Secondary School. 

Bellmore has a strong passion for improv that inspired her to found the association. “Improv is so fulfilling in the sense that you really get to connect with people in a safe space where your ideas are never wrong. That environment is so innately welcoming. In doing wacky and silly things, you push yourself out of your comfort zone. ​​​​Improv is really freeing from the stressful environment of school where you are trying to be right all the time.”

The goal of the Laurentian Improv Association is to help establish and build an improv community in the North. Bellmore and a small executive team run weekly closed meetings with a core improv team of nine students as well as open drop-in improv classes on Friday evenings for all Laurentian students. 

Less than a year since its inauguration, the Laurentian Improv Association did not expect to come out on top at the Brock Improv Summit. “We attended the event for fun and to have a good time. It felt genuinely insane and totally unexpected to win,” described Bellmore.

The association makes use of the variety of performance spaces on campus and within the Sudbury community. Bellmore and the core improv team have hosted two murder mystery nights at the Pub Downunder on campus, three improv shows at the Sudbury Indie Cinemas with Oddbox, and other shows on and off campus.

On April 29th, 2023, the association will be performing a comedy show entitled “Cheap Therapy” at the Coulson from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Tickets are 10$ and audience members must be 19+. 

Those interested in learning more about the Laurentian Improv Association are encouraged to reach out through Instagram or email at laurentianimprov@gmail.com. The association will be holding auditions and accepting new members in September 2023. 

“Improv is a really great way to find your voice and develop confidence. Those who are interested shouldn’t hesitate to attend tryouts or reach out,” said Bellmore.

Province Funds Creation of Innovation Cluster

Province Funds Creation of Innovation Cluster

Cluster to focus on critical minerals, cleantech, and battery electric technologies.

(April 21, 2023) - New funding from the Province of Ontario will grow intellectual property literacy within multiple institutions and ecosystems across Northern and rural areas of Ontario. This funding, distributed by Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON), will foster the creation of a Northern and rural innovation cluster focused on critical minerals, cleantech, and battery electric technologies. Led by Laurentian, the partnership includes Lakehead, Trent, and Nipissing Universities and will provide $294,000 for the one-year pilot project.

“This cluster will enable researchers to benefit from a variety of connections, mentors, and expertise, which will increase the velocity and impact of their innovative work. Our communities hold exceptional potential within these sectors and this funding will help us unlock that potential. It will allow businesses to strengthen their capacity to grow, enhancing economic development through collaboration,” said Dr. Tammy Eger, Vice-President of Research, Laurentian
University.

The funding will support the hiring of an Industry Liaison Officer, shared across the four institutions, to leverage IPON’s educational and commercialization resources to augment intellectual property (IP) literacy, improve connectivity between stakeholders, and facilitate economic development through industry and academic collaboration in research and innovation.

“This cluster will provide an important link not only between industry and academia but also between industry and IPON in an area identified by the province as high priority for economic development but with limited access to intellectual property service providers,” said Gisele Roberts, Director, Research and Innovation, Laurentian University.

The initiative aligns with Ontario’s Critical Minerals Strategy, linking research and commercialization expertise at post-secondary institutions with industry and innovation ecosystem partners to accelerate the development and adoption of new technologies.

IPON was created by the Government of Ontario in April 2022 to provide intellectual property supports and services to help businesses and researchers innovate and grow.

Governments Funding Francophone Education

Governments Funding Francophone Education

Over $5M to grow opportunities for French and bilingual education

(April 26, 2023) - The Ministry of Colleges and Universities of Ontario and the Government of Canada are combining efforts to support the growth of Francophone and bilingual education at Laurentian University with funding of over $5 million.

The funding will go towards supporting two significant initiatives, both at the core of Laurentian’s bilingual mandate, and aligned with the Action Plan for the Canada–Ontario Agreement on Minority-Language Education and Second Official-Language Instruction.

“The first initiative will see the maintenance and development of university programs that serve students for whom French is a second language, such as bilingual programs and linguistic support programs in a context of bilingual education. The second initiative aims to create a language laboratory and a conversation workshop that supports second language learning and the development of language skills,” said Roch Gallien, Special Advisor of Francophone Affairs at Laurentian University.

The language laboratory will be delivered in multiple formats:

  • Free self-learning: free access to learning activities (library of tutorials and various resources) to sharpen language skills;
  • Guided self-study: the learning activities are determined jointly by the student and an instructor trained in language teaching and to the use of digital resources;
  • Integrated self-learning: the activities are part of the tasks of the students in their university courses or the use of the laboratory is integrated in the lessons.

“We are thankful to our government colleagues for working with us through the funding process, our efforts are fully aligned and we are eager to advance Francophone and bilingual education at Laurentian University,” said Charlotte Primeau, Director of Partnerships & Collaborations, Francophone Affairs at Laurentian University.

The aim of the funding is to increase the number of French-speaking students, the number of bilingual or French programs, and the number of bilingual or French courses. Currently, there are 1,700 students at Laurentian University taking courses in a French program, representing 23% of the total student population. In 2022-2023, Laurentian offered 400 unique courses in French and saw 280 students graduate with a Certificate of Bilingualism, an increase from the previous year.

The content is the sole responsibility of its authors and does not necessarily reflect the views of the province or the Government of Canada.

McEwen School of Architecture Launches Summer Camps

McEwen School of Architecture Launches Summer Camps

Bilingual and tricultural camps to be offered in July 2023

(April 19, 2023) - The McEwen School of Architecture (MSoA) in Sudbury is proud to announce its first ever Archi·North Architecture Summer Camps.

Archi·North is a uniquely bilingual, tricultural, in-person architecture summer camp run by Canada’s newest architecture school at Laurentian University – selected top “15 Inspiring Architecture School Buildings from Around the World” by ArchDaily. Archi·North is open to high school students who are entering into Grades 11 and 12 in September 2023. Camps will be offered in two in-person sessions: July 17, 2023 – July 21, 2023 (English) and July 24, 2023 – July 28, 2023 (French).

With instruction from faculty and recent graduates, Archi·North offers an introductory experience in drafting and drawing, architectural design, physical model making, and digital software. Each week-long session will consist of a broad introduction into the architectural process and design thinking in an academic and design-oriented environment, and will end with an exhibition of the week’s work for viewing by family and the community.

As part of the first bilingual architecture school in Canada, Archi·North is dedicated to offer a pre-university experience that makes architectural education more accessible and more affordable to communities across Northern Ontario. The camps will also promote sustainable materials and technologies, with the MSoA facility being a prime example of mass-timber construction. Archi·North hopes to offer an unconventional summer camp experience that challenges participants to exercise new ways of seeing – and re-imagining – the world around them.

For more information and registration, please visit Archi·North or email us at archicamp@laurentian.ca.

Laurentian University joining Nature Positive Universities Alliance

Laurentian University joining Nature Positive Universities Alliance

LU to support the prioritization of nature restoration

(April 20, 2023) - Laurentian University is celebrating this year’s Earth Day (April 22, 2023) by announcing a commitment to join the Nature Positive University Alliance (NPUA), to support the prioritization of nature restoration within the higher education sector. The NPUA was formed by the University of Oxford and the United Nations Environmental Programme and launched in December 2022 during the COP15 Biodiversity Conference. The alliance counts 128 universities worldwide, including four in Ontario.

“The Nature Positive University Alliance is an initiative that will form a major contribution to the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. It will also allow us to uphold Laurentian’s existing environmental legacy and make even greater contributions to ecosystem restoration,” said Anastacia Chartrand, Chair of the Laurentian University Environmental Sustainability Committee (ESC).

A first step of joining the alliance is to perform a baseline study of the biodiversity on campus. To be “Nature Positive”, Laurentian University will need a measured biodiversity baseline, clear actions, and transparent reporting.

“We are pleased to make this pledge, this is a significant step towards environmental stewardship of the university’s biodiversity,” said Dr. Sheila Embleton, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University.

“As we prepare for Laurentian University’s strategic planning process, we will work closely with our stakeholders and position ourselves to contribute to the larger goal of the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration. In addition, we wish to meet our responsibility for sustaining clean drainage water for Ramsey Lake, and are seeking to participate in the Mayor’s challenge to protect 30% of lands and waters within the municipal boundary by 2030,” added Dr. Embleton.

The ESC was formed in 2019, is focused on promoting environmental awareness, and is made up of current students and alumni.

Province Re-invests in Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health

Province Re-invests in Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health

CROSH continues its mandate to prevent occupational injury and illness through partnerships with workplaces in Northern Ontario.

(April 18, 2023) - The Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH) at Laurentian University is pleased to announce that the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) has invested $2.5 million, over the next 5 years, to support the core activities of the Centre.

“Our mission is simple – to keep workers out of danger,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Our government is proud to be funding programs like this in Northern Ontario that keep workers safe on the job and give them and their families greater peace of mind. Working together, we are well on our way to making Ontario the best place in North America to live, work and raise a family.”

The province understands that Northern Ontario has unique occupational health and safety problems to solve and recognizes the role of CROSH as a partner research Centre in achieving its strategic objectives. For example, Northern communities have higher concentrations of resource-based industries, unique environmental challenges, as well as differing demographics.

“CROSH is an excellent example of a research centre working directly with industry partners and the public sector to solve problems in our local communities. We are thankful for the Ministry’s investment in this important research, ” said Dr. Sheila Embleton, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University.

In the past 5 years, CROSH has solved workplace problems with 37 business partners, placed 71 students in paid internships, and awarded $124,000 in student scholarships. In that time, the research centre has also raised over $5.5 million in grants, research contracts, and donations.

“CROSH does world-class research with state-of-the-art facilities that other universities in Ontario have. We are fortunate to have this research happening right here in Northern Ontario, in the communities that will directly benefit from these advancements,” said Dr. Tammy Eger, Vice-President Research at Laurentian University. CROSH is home to the $1 million Workplace Simulator, infrastructure that allows for the recreation of work tasks predominant in Northern Ontario, to allow for the testing of solutions in a lab setting, and a mobile research lab to allow the solutions to be taken directly to the work sites and communities to be implemented.

CROSH Director, Dr. Sandra Dorman added, “This investment allows us to expand our research services and student training while maintaining our system partner collaborations. It also underscores the province’s commitment to the long-term sustainability of the first Occupational Health and Safety Research Centre addressing the specific research needs of Northern Ontario.”


About the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH):
CROSH’s Mission: We envision a Northern Ontario where workplaces partner to ensure every worker gets home safe and healthy every day. We will be an agent for innovation and discovery to solve relevant and critical problems facing northern industries so they can eliminate occupational injury and disease from their workplaces.

CROSH was established in 2008 by Laurentian University to provide a formalized structure for industry, safe workplace associations, labour groups, government organizations and researchers to share workplace injury and disease problems and solutions.

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