PDF - On Campus News - University of Saskatchewan

Transcription

PDF - On Campus News - University of Saskatchewan
ocnOn Campus News
www.usask.ca/ocn
The last of the university’s flock
of Ridley turkeys will soon be
leaving campus for new homes
across the country. Read more
about this rare heritage breed
of bird and their keeper, Karen
Schwean-Lardner, on Page 3.
October 3, 2008
Volume 16, Issue 4
Publication Mail Agreement #40065156
[email protected]
Farewell,
feathered friends
MARK FERGUSON
Assessing crisis prevention, response
Review recommends more counselling services, training, role clarity
 Colleen MacPherson
Improving the university’s mechanisms for managing smaller-scale incidents on campus is one
of the main findings of a recent review on the institution’s crisis prevention and response capabilities.
The review, commissioned
by the university following a
mass shooting at Virginia Tech
April 16, 2007 and a report of a
possible gunman on the U of S
campus shortly afterward,
suggests focusing resources
on early detection, referral
Inside
and treatment of people who
display behaviour that is of
concern.
While the university had
adequately handled major
incidents like a natural
disaster, the most likely threat
to the institution comes from
people exhibiting dangerous
or threatening behaviour or
who are in personal distress
and need support, according
to one co-author of the
review’s report.
“Following the tragic
Virginia Tech incident, a lot
New web works Page 5
of institutions are focusing
on their response to a mass
shooting on campus,” said
David Hannah, associate
vice-president of student and
enrolment services. “Our
review found that you have
to have a prevention and
response mechanism that is
proportionate to the risk, and
there is a much higher risk
of suicide than shooting on
university campuses.”
Barb Daigle, associate viceSee People, Page 2
IP leadership Page 7
October 3, 2008 ocn
2
Around the Bowl
‘People incidents’ most common,
most complicated
planning, and that mechanisms
be put in place to ensure critical
information is shared appropriately in critical situations.
“Our
recommendations aren’t sexy in terms of
streamlining current policies
From Page 1
and procedures, clarifying
president of human resources
roles and increasing levels
and the second author of the
of knowledge and skill,” said
report, said the university has
Daigle.
demonstrated its ability to
The review also recomadequately manage
mends that a comprea
campus-wide
hensive communiincident, citing the
cations strategy be
Our first priority has to be on
January 2007 blizzard
developed, and that
prevention, making sure we have
as an example. “But
priority be given to
I think we can do a
training for all levels
the supports in place to address
much, much better
of crisis prevention
job on prevention
and response.
the more subtle ‘under the radar’
of ‘people incidents’
The first step
situations involving individuals.
which are the most
for the university
common and the
in improving its
David Hannah
most complicated to
crisis
prevention
deal with.”
and response will
Hannah pointed
be setting up an
out the review confirmed that technology,” said Hannah, operational risk management
the number of people expe- referring to the substantial committee this fall, she said.
riencing significant mental investment some universities Headed by Richard Florizone,
health issues has been steadily are making in communica- vice-president of finance and
increasing on university and tion and warning systems. resources, that group will
college campuses across North “Our first priority has to be include Daigle, Hannah and
America for years. The vast on prevention, making sure we the other associate vice-presmajority cope well with the have the supports in place to idents as well as the directors
demands of university life, he address the more subtle ‘under of relevant units on campus.
said, but occasionally situa- the radar’ situations involving The committee will prioritize
tions arise that require inter- individuals.”
operational risks and assign
vention by the institution.
In addition to finding responsibility for the various
The report recommends gaps in the way the university recommendations
in
the
making improvements to the manages human threats, the report.
university’s health and coun- review suggests the lines of The report makes no
selling services by adding staff, authority for all crisis incidents financial
recommendaproviding more counselling need to clearly identify who tions, although Daigle said
support on site when incidents is in charge, a situation that the Provost’s Committee on
occur and potentially expanding currently seems “murky and Integrated Planning has been
service beyond normal operating unclear, particularly in ‘people alerted to the findings and
hours. It also recommends that situations’,” said Hannah.
there has been some discusvictim services professionals “There is a strong need sion about the review with
be included in crisis response to simplify the process by the Board of Governors. “But
if I had to prioritize how we
spend our resources, it would
be on student counselling
first,” she said. 
Sustainability…
your university,
your world
The Office of Sustainability is a member of the Association
for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education This
institutional membership allows our entire campus community to
benefit from access to AASHE resources. www.aashe.org
Interested in sustainability? Call 966-1236.
Attempts
DIRECTED BY NATASHA MARTINA
ON HER LIFE
BY MARTIN CRIMP
The complete report
Assessment of Crisis
Prevention and Response
at the University of
Saskatchewan can be
found on the Office of the
Vice-President Finance and
Resources website under
‘Reports and Presentations’.
Jo Ann Murphy, the former associate university librarian at the University of
Northern British Columbia (UNBC) in Prince George, has been appointed head of
the Murray Library on campus.
John Clarke, a former director of training and
development with Cameco, has joined the University
Library as an organizational development specialist for a
three-year term starting Sept. 15.
Clarke
Huzefa Rashid, formerly
with the University of Ottawa, joined University
Advancement as a research
analyst effective Sept. 2.
Rick Long has been
appointed head of Industrial
Relations and Organizational
Behaviour in the Edwards
School of Business effective
July 1.
Rashid
Jitendra Sharma, associate
professor of civil and geological engineering, has been
Long
elected as chair of the Soil
Mechanics and Foundation
Engineering Division of the Canadian Geotechnical
Society for a three-year term starting January 2009.
Sharma
Gordon Zello has been appointed head of the Division
of Nutrition and Dietetics in the College of Pharmacy for
a three-year term.
Zello
Paul Stevens, international liaison officer in the
College of Agriculture and Bioresources, has received
an honorary degree from Mongolia State University of
Agriculture for his work with the Canadian International
Development Agency.
Tracene Harvey joins the U of S from the University of
Alberta as acting curator of the Museum of Antiquities
for 2008-09.
Sandra Herron, PhD candidate, has joined the department of Art and Art History as a sessional lecturer.
Harvey
Giesy
Peter Bretscher has been
appointed acting head of
Microbiology and Immunology in the College of
Medicine for a one-year term
starting Sept.1, 2008.
John Giesy, professor
of veterinary biomedical
sciences, has been appointed
to the Science Advisory
Board for the United States
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), which oversees
all of the EPA’s programs and
operations, including budget
and science.
During a recent meeting of the American Association of
Clinical Chemistry, Dr. Qing Meng, associate professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory
Medicine, received special recognition for “Distinguished Abstracts” by the National Academy of Clinical
Biochemistry for his research posters.
Bretscher
Meng
In Memoriam
Catherine Day, May 16
Roy Ludwig, July 2
Leslie Richards, May 16
Gerald J. Langley, Aug. 12
Tom Taylor, May 18
Betty Zielke, Sept. 3
Guyon (Guy) Richards, June 20
Janet Taylor, Sept. 10
Naomi L. Hersom, June 27
Read OCN online
PREVIEW: OCTOBER 8, 2008
OCTOBER 9 - 18, 2008
8:00 P.M.
*,/ /Ê"Ê,ÊUÊ,9-/" Ê//,ÊUÊ" Ê/
Ê1 ££nÊ-
Ê*
ÊUÊ/
/-\Êf£Ç°ääÊ1/-ÊUÊf££°ääÊ-/1 /-ÊEÊ- ",-Ê Ê
/
/-Ê6\ÊÊ*
Ê,ʙÈȇșnnÊUÊ,9-/" Ê//,ʙÈȇx£nnÊ Ê
www.usask.ca/ocn
ocn October 3, 2008
3
Karen Schwean-Lardner, manager of the Poultry Research and Teaching Unit, with the flock of Ridley turkeys.
MARK FERGUSON
Campus turkey flock a rare breed
 Mark Ferguson
Karen Schwean-Lardner is sad
to say goodbye to her beloved
heritage turkeys.
The manager of the Poultry
Research and Teaching Unit in
the College of Agriculture and
Bioresources said there just isn’t
enough funding to keep the
flock of Ridley turkeys it had
housed since 1981, despite the
importance and rareness of the
birds. At one time, the unit had
about 60 of the birds.
“This is a very old, old breed
of bird,” she said, carefully
picking up one of the females.
“There are very few left in
the world. But it’s a matter of
funding. We’d love to keep them
but we need money to feed them
and house them. We’ve been
worried about this for years and
it has finally come to be.”
Schwean-Lardner uses the
Ridley turkeys in some of her
classes to teach proper handling
techniques. She says that unlike
most new breeds of turkeys,
these are far more colorful and
interesting.
Terms renewed for three
U of S Canada Research Chairs
Although it did not receive any new positions, the U of S saw three of its
existing Canada Research Chair positions renewed as part of a major
announcement Sept. 30 by the federal government.
Louise Delbaere, Canada Research Chair in Structural Biochemistry, Akira Hirose, CRC in Plasma Science and CRC in Molecular
Environmental Science Ingrid Pickering have all had their terms
renewed. The funding that comes with the renewal includes $1.4
million each for Delbaere and Hirose, and $500,000 for Pickering.
The Canada Research Chairs Program announcement included
123 researchers at 38 universities across the country. Of those, 18
received new chairs appointments, 104 had their mandates renewed
and one was advanced from a tier 2 chair to a tier 1.
The total funding associated with the announcement was $116.4
million. Saskatchewan’s two universities received a combined total of
$3.8 million. 
Payroll savings program
available for bonds, RSPs
The university’s annual campaign to help employees purchase Canada
Savings Bonds through payroll deductions is now underway.
Kelly Read, manager of payroll operations in the Financial Services
Division, said the voluntary payroll savings deduction is available to all
employees who are paid monthly. The minimum monthly deduction is
$10 and the deduction will begin with the Dec. 24 salary payment. Payroll
deductions can be cancelled at any time, and employees can contact the
Bank of Canada to arrange for either partial or full redemption of their
contributions.
Read said employees can also take advantage of the Canada RSP
program through payroll deduction. Canada RSPs provide a tax receipt and
are fully guaranteed. There is no purchase fee with the payroll deduction
option, said Read, and the interest rate will not go down, although it may
go up. The minimum monthly purchase for the Canada RSP is $40.
The campaign ends and all forms must be returned to the payroll
office in Room E-70 Administration by 4 pm Oct. 24. More information
about both the Canada Savings Bond and Canada RSP campaigns can be
found on the Financial Services website. 
The reason so few heritage from the heritage turkey. ”
Luckily, you won’t find any
Another heritage breed, the of these birds on the Thanksbirds remain, she explained, is because of corporate control over Brown Leghorn chicken, was giving dinner table. Thanks
genetics. Most turkeys today are also removed from the Poultry to Rare Breeds Canada and
white-feathered and
a group of farmers
huge, bred specifically
known as Feather
for meat. The Ridley
Fanciers, every one
We’d love to keep them but we
turkey is dark, small,
of the f lock has
need money to feed them and
and never selected for
been donated to
muscle growth in the
breeders and keepers
house them. We’ve been worried
genetic process. But
of purebred birds to
their importance is
ensure the species
about this for years and it has
profound.
survives.
finally come to be.
“These birds are
“Feather Fanciers
a source of genetic
have an avid interest
Karen Schwean-Lardner
diversity. You might
in saving breeds,”
need to use them to get
she says. “They keep
their genes – if it was
them because they
ever required. Two companies Research and Teaching Unit for love rare birds so we’re sending
control all the turkey genetics lack of funding earlier in the the turkeys to Feather Fanciers
in all the world, whether or not year. After the Ridley turkey all across Canada.”
you take the breed from Egypt or flies the coop, there will be only Even with a profound love
Canada. If something happened one remaining heritage breed of poultry, Schwean-Lardner
and one of the lines crashed, we left on campus—the Plymouth said she’ll be eating turkey for
could go back and start breeding Barred Rock chicken.
Thanksgiving. 
from the archives
A portrait of Miss Murray
 Patrick Hayes, u of s archives
Christina Cameron Murray
was the eldest daughter of the
University of Saskatchewan’s
first president, Walter Murray.
She was born in Halifax, Nova
Scotia in 1896. She earned a
BA degree from the U of S
in 1917, and graduated from
Montreal’s Royal Victoria
School of Nursing in 1924.
In 1934-35, she completed a
course in hospital administration and instruction from the
Bedford College for Women at
the University of London.
Miss Murray held a
number of teaching positions
during her career: University
of Wisconsin, 1925-30; Ottawa
Civic Hospital, 1930-34; Royal
Jubilee Hospital School of
Nursing in Vancouver, 1934-38;
and she earned the rank of full
professor at the University of
Wisconsin School of Nursing
where she worked from 1938
until her death in 1948. 
Portrait of Christina Cameron Murray, U of S Archives, A-5600
October 3, 2008 ocn
4
Thanks
to donors
The Saskatoon Preschool Foundation thanks those faculty and staff
who donate through the U of S
Charitable
Donations
Payroll
Plan!
The $3,000 received this year
helps the work of the Foundation: to advocate for and support
access to preschool programs.
These donations have helped
with the more than $180,000 that
the Foundation has granted in
tuition subsidies so that over 550
three- or four-year-old children
can attend preschool over the
last eight years.
These are children of families
who are unable to afford the
monthly fees ($50 - 85) to attend
any of the 100 preschools in and
around the city. The profile of
the family likely to apply for help
would be:
• most are single moms,
• some have health issues or are
unemployed,
• many, including some U of S
students, are lacking funds.
Research shows the importance of early childhood educational experiences to support
the physical, emotional, social,
and intellectual development,
and overall well-being of young
children. Preschool provides a
readiness for kindergarten.
An effectiveness review
conducted by the CommunityUniversity Institute for Social
Research (CUISR) showed that
tuition subsidies provided an
educational advantage for participants and strengthened family
capacity. One of the Saskatoon
residents in the study concluded
that a preschool education is “as
essential as food.”
We are very grateful to those
U of S donors who thoughtfully
consider the Saskatoon Preschool
Foundation as one of their preferred
charities…and we encourage others
who may be interested.
Thank you. 
Letter
Les Ferguson
Executive Director
Saskatoon Preschool Foundation
Another look
at bilingualism
In response to OCN’s September
5, 2008 issue, M. Ferguson’s
article titled “Task force encourages a bilingual campus” the
message is all about English and
French. Let’s have another look at
this issue shall we, and acknowledge our partners-in-treaty?
Considering how they helped
our Euro-ancestors survive on
arrival to this land, their part-ofnature world view that we can take
lessons and learn different values
from, the beauty of their spoken
language and in respect of our
close Indian neighbors, I would
suggest that in this part of the
country, bilingual should mean
the ability to speak English and
Nēhiyawēwin (Cree language). 
Fulton Briand
Dept. of Health, Safety
and Environment
Next OCN deadline
Thursday,
October 9
ocnOn Campus News
On Campus News is published 18 times per year (July-May) by University of Saskatchewan Communications. It is
distributed to all U of S faculty, staff, graduate students and members of governing bodies, as well as to others
in the university community, related organizations, some Saskatchewan government officials, and news media.
Subscriptions are available for $20 per year. Story and photo ideas are welcome. Advertising rates are available
online or on request. On Campus News aims to provide a forum for the sharing of timely news, information, and
opinions about events and issues of interest to the University of Saskatchewan community.
Editor: Colleen MacPherson
Writer: Mark Ferguson
Designer: Mark Sadoway
Editorial Advisory Board: Mik Bickis, Candace Wasacase-Lafferty, David York, Nadia Bergen,
Sandra Ribeiro, Patrick Hayes, Janice Victor, Ghislaine McLeod
ISSN: 1195-7654
PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40065156
RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO
UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN – COMMUNICATIONS
501–121 RESEARCH DR
SASKATOON, SK S7N 1K2
E-mail: [email protected]
Qualitative research
conference a success
 Rita Hamoline
Kudos to the organizers of the
first Innovations in Qualitative
Research Conference (IQRC)
for hosting a successful and
well attended conference on June 3 and 4
at St. Thomas More
College.
As a conference participant
and member of the organizing
committee I had the pleasure to
work with conference co-chairs
Dr. Roanne Thomas-MacLean
(Sociology, U of S), Dr. Ulrich
Teucher (Psychology, U of S),
and Conference Co-ordinator
Laurie Schimpf. The organizers’ ambition was to create
an opportunity for qualitative
researchers from a range of
academic disciplines to share
knowledge garnered through
innovative qualitative methodologies.
As the conference showed,
qualitative research continues
to gain momentum in many
disciplines.
Participants
from seven institutions were
showcased at the conference.
Presentations and posters
by participants from First
Nations University of Canada
(FNUC), the Universities of
Alberta, Calgary, Manitoba,
Regina, and Saskatchewan and
the Saskatchewan Institute
of Applied Science and Technology
(SIAST)
reflected
distinctive advances in qualitative methods. Disciplines
represented at the conference
were
anthropology,
community health and epidemiology, English, history, kinesiology, nursing, performance,
psychology,
social
work,
sociology and surgery.
Several engaging presentations revealed unique interdis-
ciplinary work that bridge and
transcend traditional research
methods. The breadth of topics
and quality of presentations
and posters was
inspiring
and
motivating. As a
graduate student, I
was excited to meet with others
who share a passion for qualitative research.
Whether presenters were
veterans or novices to the art of
academic presentation, IQRC
organizers endeavoured to
meet the needs of participants.
I was delighted to find my
conference experience echoed
by participants who completed
post-conference
evaluation
sheets. Responses expressed
much positive feed-back. One
participant wrote, “Everyone
was friendly and welcoming, it
was a safe place to learn from
others…to feel connected to a
group of people with similar
interests.” Another added, “It
was great to meet researchers
from other disciplines within
our University (and from other
institutions) who are all doing
qualitative research…bringing
together a community with a
focus on qualitative research is
so valuable.”
Responding to efforts made
to encourage new presenters
such as undergraduate and
graduate students, one contributor wrote, “Good first time!
Well done. Nice to see the
confidence it instilled in the
undergrad and grad students
presenting…” I must mention
here that the skills of doing highquality research and presenting
are honed through practice and
constructive feedback from
one’s peers and this confer-
Viewpoint
ence provided a space for those
learning opportunities.
Keynote speakers Dr.
Christina Sinding of McMaster
University School of Social
Work and Brian Lobel, an
MA student of the University of London, were very
well received by conference
attendees.
Sinding
spoke
eloquently about her research
interest in qualitative research
regarding women and cancer,
end-of-life issues and research
based theatre. Lobel closed the
conference with his one-man
play that conveys his experience as a young man who
endures and survives testicular
cancer. One response to the key
note speakers was, “I was very
impressed with the keynotes,
the organization of the conference and the scope of the
presentations. Thanks so much
for getting this up and going on
our campus.”
Support for the conference is high and organizers
are discussing the feasibility
of holding it on an annual or
biennial basis. Sincere thanks
go to STM faculty and staff for
hosting the conference. Thanks
also to the Saskatchewan
Health Research Foundation,
the Departments of Sociology
and Psychology, the College of
Arts and Science and the U of
S Visiting Lecturers Fund for
financial support. Congratulations to the organizing committee
for successfully launching a
conference that promises to keep
qualitative research flourishing
on the prairies. 
Rita Hamoline
PhD Candidate,
Dept. of Sociology
ocn October 3, 2008
5
Making the most of the web
New system in place to manage U of S content
With more people then ever
turning to the Web as their
primary source of information,
the U of S is taking a major
step toward ensuring it makes
a good first impression with
information on its site that is
accurate, relevant and current.
The university is introducing a web content management system (WCMS) designed
to help the hundreds of web
publishers across campus not
only manage the information
on existing websites but also
create and maintain new sites.
For one of the people involved
in the WCMS project, ensuring
the system is easy to use was a
critical consideration.
“Ease of maintenance is
where most of the value is in
the system,” said Monisha
Shukla, manager of portal
services in Information Technology Services (ITS). “With
the new software, you don’t
have to wait for your IT people
to find the time to update
content on your site or set up
a new site. This frees them (IT
personnel) to do more valueadded things for your unit.
They won’t be spending their
time cutting and pasting.”
Shukla said the search
for a web management system
began last summer when a
committee was put together
to look at various software
packages. That group, led by
Ed Pokraka, director of ITS,
Colleen Fitzgerald, director
of Educational Media Access
and Production (EMAP) and
Ghislaine McLeod, director
of University Communications, included representatives of additional key units
—Student and Enrolment
Services Division and Facilities Management Division
as well as the College of Arts
and Science and the Edwards
School of Business.
The unanimous decision
of the committee was to
purchase Cascade software
from Hannon Hill at a cost
of about $50,000. A number
of pilot projects were then set
up to test the system and make
sure it met the needs of web
managers who have diverse
skill levels, Shukla said.
“When we were evaluating the
tool, we looked at not only the
technical components but also
the communications and functional components. Our whole
approach was tied to meeting
the needs we saw on campus.”
With WCMS, website
managers can access graphic
design elements that will give
university web pages a consistent look, can transfer existing
content into the new system
and can easily update and
maintain content.
The university currently
has about 200,000 web pages,
many of which are outdated,
“which doesn’t translate into
good web presence,” said
Shukla. Using WCMS, colleges
and units will be able to
evaluate their content before
moving it into the new system,
thereby ensuring information
is current and relevant. “This
creates an opportunity for
people to think strategically
about what they want going
forward, about what they want
their website to do for them.”
The system will also help
manage what Shukla termed
“the life cycle of web pages,”
from creation to maintenance
Monisha Shukla, manager of portal services in ITS and a member of the web content
management system team.
to retirement.
Shukla said ITS is offering
sample WCMS sites, guidelines
for using the system, technical
and end-user training and
MARK FERGUSON
GreenCampus
Heather Heavin, left, and Marie Ann Bowden.
College of Law professors Heather Heavin and
Marie-Ann Bowden say one of the most beautiful
features of the renovated Law Building is the 650
sq m living roof.
Not only does the roof look good, it acts as a
natural insulator, has a longer lifespan than normal
roofs, and decreases the amount of energy used in
the building. The plants are completely irrigated by
rainwater.
Only certain kinds of plants can live on
rainwater and stand the cold, harsh winter of
Saskatchewan, so test plots were planted on the
roof of the Dentistry Building.
Native Saskatchewan species were picked for
the living roof, and as Heavin explains, there is a
color scheme—rows of yellow and red low-growing
sedum, perennials and fescue grass.
Bowden and Heavin walk along the roof
showing off their accomplishment. They rave about
how wonderful the flowers looked in the spring
and hope that this will be the incentive for more
living roofs on campus. 
If you know of an initiative to make the U of S
a greener campus, please email us at [email protected].
account creation at no charge
to all campus units. EMAP
services include setting up
new websites using WCMS or
moving existing content into
COLLEEN MACPHERSON
the system.
More information about
the new web content management system can be found on
the ITS website. 
October 3, 2008 ocn
6
Commitment leaders named
Job description is to animate, facilitate, advance IP
 Colleen MacPherson
The University of Saskatchewan’s
second integrated plan contains
20 specific commitments that
represent, according to
the provost and vicepresident
academic,
“20 ways to make the
university an even better
place to work and study.”
The plan has now been
advanced even further
with the identification of
the people who will lead
each of the initiatives.
“This
is
like
launching 20 miniature
integrated plans to
run at the same time
over the next four years,” said
Brett Fairbairn, commenting
on the release of the commitment leaders’ names. “The
university is looking to these
commitment leaders to lead,
animate, facilitate the work
around these commitments.
They’re dynamic people—
that’s why we chose them.”
Selecting the commitment leaders involved broad
consultation and the genera-
person individually.
Two issues were of
particular
importance
in
the selection. One was
ensuring commitment
leaders had help. “What
… what I told them was the
they didn’t want to do
was manage a budget,
effect of all those activities is
book meetings and take
for the university as a whole to minutes,”
Fairbairn
said. The second was
make measurable progress in that “the ebb and f low”
of the work over the
the areas described …
next four years fit each
Brett Fairbairn
person’s priorities and
career commitments.
“What I said to the
commitment
leaders
tion of a long list of potential was that, as a rule of thumb,
candidates, he said, adding he it would be a-day-a-week job
encouraged those consulted … (and) they will have access
“not to just name the usual to some resources to, for
suspects.” That list was example, help with research,
reviewed by Fairbairn, the hire a speaker or send out a
Integrated Planning office communication.”
Fairbairn said expectaand the executive sponsor of each commitment. The tion of the leaders’ role is
provost then approached each first to generate ideas and
See list of IP commitment leaders
proposals “to be fed into the
regular university decisionmaking structures” on how
each commitment can be met.
That will require assessing
the current status of each
commitment area, bringing
people together who are
vested in that commitment,
exploring possibilities like
combining separate activities into joint activities, and
considering university-level
initiatives.
“And finally, what I told
them was the effect of all those
activities is for the university
as a whole to make measurable
progress in the areas described,
and that the commitment
leaders will be responsible for
reporting back progress.”
Fairbairn also stressed the
leaders will not be working
alone. Each will work with an
executive sponsor, and will
recruit a small team of “key
people who will be crucial
and active contributors and
… wider circles of others
who wish to be involved and
informed.” The provostexpects these groups will include
representatives from all levels
of the organization, including
students.
Taking this approach
to implementing the integrated plan is a very deliberate
effort to continue the level
of collaboration seen in the
development of the plan itself,
said the provost. He added
it is also designed to create a
more connected university
community.
“This is a signal to the
university that the model here
is collaborative not for its own
sake or at all costs—it’s resultsoriented collaboration.”
Anyone interested in being
involved in “turning ideas on
paper into action” is invited
to contact the commitment
leaders directly. 
Page 7
Whelen Visiting Lectureship
The Whelen Visiting Lectureship Steering Committee, Chaired by Brett Fairbairn,
Provost and Vice-President Academic, is seeking suggestions from the campus
community for future Whelen Visiting Lecturers (2009 and beyond).
In the past, the Whelen Lecture Series has brought the
following outstanding individuals to campus:
Lorin Hollander, American concert pianist
Jonathan Miller, English director and dramatist
Germain Greer, Shakespearean scholar and feminist
Rosalyn Yalow, nuclear physicist and Nobel laureate
Stephen Schneider, American scientist in the area of
climate and global warming
Martyn Symons, Chemist
John Ralston Saul, Canadian novelist and essayist
Mary Mahowald, geneticist and medical ethicist
Michael Ignatieff, historian, author, and broadcaster
John Borrows, Indigenous law scholar
Brian Dippie, historian of the old West
Steven Shapin, sociologist and historian of science
Norman Myers, environmental scholar
Under the terms of reference for the Whelen Lectureship,
the selection of the lecturer should include the following
considerations:
• The lecturer should be an individual with an international
reputation in his or her field of knowledge.
• The lectures should be in any discipline relevant to the programs
of studies available at the University of Saskatchewan.
• The lectures are for the benefit of the campus and the external
community. Therefore, those speakers considered should be able
to draw a large audience from all areas.
Please submit your ideas for speakers with a short biography
and contact information, by October 17, to:
Bobbi Mumm
Whelen Steering Committee
424 Williams Building, 221 Cumberland Ave. N.
Saskatoon, SK S7N 1M3
or email to [email protected]
ocn October 3, 2008
7
Second integrated plan commitment leaders
The teacher-learner experience
Jim Greer
Director
University Learning Centre
Issues-based
interdisciplinary scholarship
Karen Chad
Acting Vice-President
Research
Lou Hammond
Ketilson
Director
Centre for the Study of
Co-operatives
Associate Professor
Management and Marketing
Edwards School of Business
Innovation in programs
Ernie Barber
Vice-Provost
Teaching and Learning
Diverse body of students
Areas of pre-eminence
Responsive and flexible policies
and processes
Jim Germida
Vice-Provost
Faculty Relations
Innovation and
cultural contributions
Peter Stoicheff
David Hannah
Vice-Dean
Humanities and Fine Arts
College of Arts and Science
Associate Vice-Presiden
Student and Enrolment
Services Division
Engagement with external partners
Keith Carlson
Associate Professor and
Director, Research Committee
History Department
College of Arts and Science
To be announced
Retention strategies and initiatives
To be announced
Tom Steele
Associate Dean
Undergraduate Affairs
College of Arts and Science
Susan Bens
Collaboration between academic
and non-academic units
Lyn Currie
Director
Student Retention, Support
and Development
Student Enrolment Services
Division
Head
Education/Music Library
Grant Isaac
Dean
Edwards School of Business
Jacquie Thomarat
Barb Daigle
Administrative Officer
Policy and Planning
University Advancement
Aboriginal engagement
Tom Allen
Associate Professor
Bioresource Policy,
Business and Economics
College of Agriculture and
Bioresources
People resources
Associate Vice-President
Human Resources
Leadership and career development
Keith Walker
Professor
Educational Administration
College of Education
To be announced
Finance resources
Laura Kennedy
Associate Vice President
Financial Services
and Controller
Bob Bayles
Director/Consultant
Human Resources
The campus environment
for students
Greg Fowler
Engagement in governance and
decision-making
Director
Consumer Services Division
John Rigby
Associate Professor
Management and Marketing
Edwards School of Business
Trever Crowe
Associate Dean Programs
College of Graduate Studies
and Research
Research success and collaboration
Jim Thornhill
Associate Dean
Research and Graduate Studies
College of Medicine
Sustainability as a
shared challenge
Infrastructure and
capital resources
Colin Tennent
Associate Vice-President
Facilities Management Division
and University Architect
Charles Rhodes
Alec Aitken
Associate Professor
Geography and Planning
College of Arts and Science
Julia Jones
Director
Finance and Administration
Facilities Management Division
www.usask.ca/ip
To be announced
Dean
Western College of Veterinary
Medicine
Quality and accountability
Brett Fairbairn
Provost and
Vice-President Academic
October 3, 2008 ocn
8
Reaching out to rural Uganda
Faculty members involved in milk goat project to help AIDS-orphaned children
 Colleen MacPherson
The lowly milk goat is at the Solving such problems
centre of a new initiative under- requires
rural
agricultural
taken by U of S faculty members projects, said Card, “and the goat
that holds great hope for AIDS- is the quintessential metaphor for
orphaned children in Uganda, African survival – they’re docile,
but also creates
they eat anything
important
and their milk
opportunities for
is so nutritious.
This is what
the institution
Goats are one
universities
and its students.
of the keys in
A d i l
terms of meeting
are supposed
Nazarali, head
people’s needs.”
of the pharmacy
This summer’s
to do, join the
division
in
trip was Card’s
international
the College of
third to Africa,
Pharmacy and
and a presentacommunity.
Nutrition,
Dr.
tion she did on
Claire
Card
Dr. Claire Card campus inspired
from
large
Nazarali: “I heard
animal clinical
Claire’s
talk
sciences in the Western College and I got excited. I grew up in
of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) Uganda and felt my interest in
and Carol Henry, professor drug therapy gave me something
of nutrition in the College of to offer.” Henry brings to the
Pharmacy and Nutrition, traveled group extensive expertise in child
to Uganda this past summer on a nutrition, he said.
project funded by Vets Without After visiting rural Uganda
Borders. Their goal was to assess as well as spending time in the
a micro-credit project involving capital Kampala meeting with
goats set up by the Foundation for various interest groups, “what
AIDS Orphaned Children, a local we have to do now is work on a
non-governmental organization.
process to see how we can help
Card describes it as a “goat them,” he said. Over the winter,
pyramid scheme” whereby the group will be seeking addielderly family members, many tional funding, including
of them grandmothers, raising support for interdisciplinary
children orphaned by AIDS research projects in areas like
receive one or two goats and health, nutrition and microlater, pass back to the program financing. Card said she expects
two to three goats. What became the milk goat scheme could be
apparent is that introducing a major Canadian International
milk goats into the scheme has Development Agency (CIDA)
enormous potential benefits, project within five years.
particularly for women and Both Card and Nazarali
children in an area with pressing stress that the intention is to
social and health issues.
always work with in-country
Dr. Claire Card from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and Adil Nazarali
of the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition.
expertise to avoid duplicating
efforts already underway. “It
doesn’t matter who starts … as
long and you can come in with
an open mind, and respect and
cultivate those in-country partnerships that share a common
view of a better future. We don’t
want to replicate anything that’s
already being done. The goal
is to work our
way out of our jobs as facilitators by training the trainers and
plugging the knowledge gap.”
The two also share the
conviction that the benefits of the
goat project, and others like it,
are shared by everyone involved.
“I’ve got student lined up down
the hall” looking for opportun i t i e s to become involved,
said Card. Nazarali
added pharmacy and
nutrition students
at both the undergraduate and
graduate
COLLEEN MACPHERSON
level are also keen.
“It’s a win-win situation for
them,” he said. “They help others,
but they’re also transformed into
better human beings because of this
kind of international exposure.”
“And this is what universities are supposed to do,” Card
added, “join the international
community. It’s the whole
thing about knowledge without
context. Our life experiences as
faculty are what bring
that context to our
students.” 
Adil
Photos supplied by Nazarali
Dr. Claire Card, foreground, and Carol Henry of the
College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, standing centre,
participate in the passing on of milk goats to rural
Ugandan women.
U of S
News Briefs
Some 46 students are registered for
the 2008-09 academic year and the
program is expected to eventually
accommodate 200.
Pharmacy education expanded
Workplace learning for students
After a successful pilot project,
the Edwards School of Business is
moving forward with a co-operative
education program that offers
third-year students the chance
to gain work experience, explore
career options and be mentored by
professionals across the province.
In an announcement Sept. 5,
the school said the Business
Co-operative Education Program,
which started in January, had
received $250,000 from Cameco
Corporation to help it expand.
A $1.5 million donation to the College
of Pharmacy and Nutrition from
Apotex, Inc. will be put to use in three
areas of education.
The pharmaceutical company’s
donation, the largest single gift
ever received by the college, will
go toward development of a
state-of-the-art pharmacy practice
laboratory in the Academic Health
Sciences Centre to simulate a real
life pharmacy for undergraduate
students, additional research funding
for faculty and graduate students and
increased support for grad students.
Adil Nazarali with AIDSorphaned children in
Nyamuyanja, Uganda.
Dog genetic mutation
identified
Researchers at the Western College
of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM)
and the University of Minnesota’s
College of Veterinary Medicine
have identified a genetic mutation
in Labrador retriever dogs that is
highly associated with exerciseinduced collapse (EIC) syndrome.
A U of S news release said the
hind limbs of EIC-affected dogs
start to get wobbly and give out
after intense hunting or retrieving
exercise. Some dogs die.
The research not only identified
the mutation, but also developed
a test for its detection. About 30
per cent of Labrador retrievers
are carriers of the mutation.
ocn October 3, 2008
9
In the middle
Pepler building links between
students and administration
James Pepler is in the middle between U of S students and the institution’s administration, but that is exactly where he is supposed to be.
And the new student initiatives and special projects co-ordinator
is trying to keep the interests of both groups in mind as he helps build
stronger links between the two. “This job is an opportunity to connect
with students at all levels,” said the former U of S Students’ Union
(USSU) president. “Plus there are a whole bunch of student initiatives
that administration wants to know more about, perhaps to provide
funding, perhaps to piggyback with their own projects. There’s a thirst
for this kind of information all around and you can’t help but get
excited about that.”
Pepler’s position, which reports to both the vice-president finance
and resources and the associate vice-president of student and enrolment
services, was developed this spring in consultation with both the USSU
and the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA). And while he describes
his job as a work in progress, Pepler believes one of his most important
roles will be to help student organization executive members develop
good working relationships with the institution.
“Intimidation is a huge factor, and intimidation leads to not
speaking your mind. I think this position will really help with the
transition of new USSU and GSA executives. As president of the
USSU, I really had to wing it. I had no where to go for casual answers
to questions I was
too scared to ask
because it would
There’s a thirst for this kind
make me look
stupid. Now I can
of information all around
really help with
and you can’t help but get
that.”
Pepler,
who
excited about that.
graduated
last
spring with double
James Pepler
honours in English
and philosophy, said
his new position grew out of the university’s second integrated plan
“which is weighted toward the student experience, so the university
has a vested interest in getting to know its student body.”
High on Pepler’s current priority list is gathering information on
student housing, both availability and affordability. He is also interested in exploring academic advising on campus. “I’d like to learn more
about how each college handles advising,” and he is in information
gathering mode on that front as well. His aim is to be able to provide
background, context and advice on a range of issues and initiatives
affecting both students and administration.
And although he stresses his job is not to be the voice of students
in administration, “outside of what the university wants and outside of
what the USSU and the GSA want, I will always give advice that is in
the best interests of all students.” 
James Pepler, student initiatives and special
projects co-ordinator
COLLEEN MACPHERSON
MARK FERGUSON
Gabriella Mezo-Kricsfalusy, career development officer in the College of Medicine
College of Medicine working on
physician retention
There are not enough physicians in the province, a concern
the College of Medicine takes
very seriously. To try to keep
graduates practicing in the
province, a career development
officer position was created.
“Does Saskatchewan have
enough physicians?” asked
Gabriella Mezo-Kricsfalusy. “The
answer is no. So, my position, as
career development officer is a bit
unique in that I am advancing a
career in medicine, plus I am
building a capacity to retain
physicians trained in Saskatchewan to stay in Saskatchewan.”
The best way to keep doctors,
she feels, is to give them as much
information as possible about
opportunities in the province.
The first step was creating a
better partnership between the
university and Saskatchewan
Health, the health regions, and
the Saskatchewan Association of
Health Organizations. The next
step was improving the amount
of information available.
“You can’t force someone to
stay in Saskatchewan,” she says.
“It’s understandable if someone
has made a decision to leave. But
what we can do to prevent that is
to give them as much information
as possible about the province.”
Mezo-Kriscfalusy believes that
making the province as attractive
as possible for physicians, and
connecting potential Saskatchewan doctors with people “who
have lots of information about
here will get people thinking
about staying here.”
Another
initiative
she
has organized is the speaker’s
series the College of Medicine
is hosting throughout the year.
Allan Kearns, the author of
Career Joy, will be speaking
soon on campus about finding
job happiness, Mezo-Kriscfalusy said. And members of the
Canadian Medical Association
did a presentation Sept. 25 that
was well attended. The speaker’s
series is a big step in solving a big
problem she says.
According to Mezo-Kricfalusy, more than one out of every
three physicians are 55-years
or older with an average age of
around 51, and as many as 4,000
physicians are expected to retire
in the next two years.
Canada relies heavily on
internationally educated health
professionals to fill the gap,
despite recommendations by the
Canadian Medical Association
that every country “should do its
utmost to educate an adequate
number of physicians, taking into
account its needs and resources. A
country should not rely on immigration from other countries to
meet its need for physicians.”
And Mezo-Kricsfalusy is up
to the challenge.
“Medicine is a unique field
and demands a unique person
(to be a physician). Right now, it’s
a problem keeping doctors in the
province, but we have to be optimistic. We work hard and will
work hard to make it better.” 
Fall 2008 OCN Publishing Schedule
No.
Publishing Date
Deadline
5
Oct. 17, 2008
Oct. 9, 2008
6
Oct. 31, 2008
Oct. 23, 2008
7
Nov. 14, 2008
Nov. 6, 2008
8
Nov. 28, 2008
Nov. 20, 2008
Mark & Barb
Wouters
221-9975
[email protected]
Excellent market knowledge, years of experience and quality
service is what you can expect from Mark & Barb.
610 MOUNT ALLISON CRESCENT
Extensively upgraded, fully
developed 1900 sq ft 4 bedroom
family home in College Park,
close to schools, park & shopping.
Upgrades include maple kitchen
with granite counters, porcelain
tile, stainless steel appliances,
hardwood, vessel sinks, plumbing
fixtures & more. $468,000 MLS
302 609 KING STREET
“King’s Park” condo, 1120 sq ft, is
ideally situated only one block from
City Hospital & close to the river,
campus, & downtown! This Heritage
semi-designated character building
was completely renovated in 1993, but,
still retains its character and charm.
Featuring European kitchen with
appliances, den, two bedrooms, in-suite laundry, high ceilings, south-facing large
sunny windows, parking stall, elevator & security entrance. $225,000 MLS
More pictures and info
www.woutersrealty.com
October 3, 2008 ocn
10
Coming Events
Arts
Greystone Theatre
Greystone Theatre begins its season
with a preview Oct. 8 and performances Oct. 9-18 of Attempts on Her
Life, written by Martin Crimp and
directed by Natasha Martina. Tickets
are available from the Place Riel
information kiosk or the Greystone
Theatre box office in the John
Mitchell Building (call 966-5188).
Kenderdine Gallery
On exhibit until Dec. 23 is Size
Matters, a group show of works from
the U of S art collection. The gallery
is located on the second floor of the
Agriculture Building.
College Building Galleries
Opening Oct. 23 in the lower gallery
is Orientalism and Ephemera, curated
by Jamelie Hassan, which explores
the attraction and presence of the
“East” in everyday experiences.
Opening the same day in the main
level gallery is Com Pose, work by
Ellen Moffat that brings together
ironic objects as companion pieces.
A reception at 8 pm Oct. 23 will open
both exhibitions.
Museum of Antiquities
On view is Bene Merenti: Inscriptions
from the Roman Catacombs, an
exhibition featuring early Christian
artifacts. In the College Building.
Nellie McClung Play
St. Andrews College presents Nellie
McClung: A One Person Play, written
by Kathy Morrell and starting Wendy
Stricker Oct. 18 at 8 pm with a pie
social starting at 7 pm, and Oct.
19 at 2 pm at Grace Westminster
United Church. Tickets are available
at McNally Robinson Booksellers, St.
Andrews College, united churches in
Saskatoon or at the door.
St. Thomas More Gallery
On view in the gallery is Expanding
Horizons, a group exhibition by
members of Artists Eclectic.
Seminars/Lectures
Toxicology Lecture
Doris W.T. Au from the Dept. of Biology
and Chemistry, Centre for Costal Pollution and Conservation, City University
of Hong Kong will present a lecture
entitled A new marine fish model for
assessing stress and pollution Oct. 3 at
3 pm in Room 2115, WCVM.
Emerging Trends
Ken Steele, a post-secondary education researcher and consultant, will
present Adjust Your Sails or be Blown
Off Course: Emerging Trends in
Canadian Post-Secondary Education
Oct. 7 from 10-noon in Room 1E80
Agriculture Building.
Archaeological Meeting
The Saskatoon Archaeological
Society will hold its first fall meeting
Oct. 3 at 7:30 pm in Room 132
Archaeology. Chris Foley will present
an illustrated lecture entitled Egyptian Presence in Southern Canaan
during the Terminal Bronze Age: an
Archaeological Perspective.
Public Health Seminar
Lisa Lix, Centennial Chair in the School
of Public Health, presents Methods
to Identify Chronic Disease Cases and
Non-Cases in Administrative Data on
Oct. 9 at noon in Room 4314 RUH.
Law Speaker Series
Election Post-Mortem
• Oct. 6, Lorne Waldman presents No
One Above the Law: Reflections of an
Immigration Lawyer on the Importance of the Rule of Law
An examination of the results of the
federal election will take place Oct. 15
from 1:30-2:30 pm in Arts 146. Speakers include U of S political scientists
David McGrane, Loleen Berdahl and
John Courtney as well as graduate
student Justin Buhler.
Memorial History Lecture
Valerie Korinek from the Dept. of
History will present the inaugural Dave
Debrou Memorial Lecture in History
Oct. 22 at 7 pm in at the Frances Morrison Library theatre. The presentation
titled Re-orienting Prairie History:
Three Portraits of Prairie Activism will
address the histories of gay and lesbian
communities in the prairie provinces in
the post-Second World War.
Nuclear Debate
The USSU and the U of S Office of
Sustainability present a nuclear
energy forum Oct. 20 at 7 pm at
Third Avenue United Church.
Speakers include Gordon Edwards,
a math professor at Vanier College
in Montreal and the president of the
Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility, and Jeremy Whitlock, a
reactor physicist with Atomic Energy
of Canada Ltd. and past president of
the Canadian Nuclear Society.
Poetry Reading
Randall Maggs, author of Night Work:
The Sawchuk Poems, will give a free
public reading and participate in a question and answer session Oct. 20 from
11:30 am-12:20 pm in Room 211 Arts.
Physics and Engineering
Physics Seminar
Oct. 9, 3:30-4:30 pm, Room 103
Physics, Kim Chang-Yong of the CLS
presents Application of X-ray Standing Wave to Supported Metal-oxide
Catalysts.
Humanities Programming
The Humanities Research Units
presents a number of event in
conjunction with the exhibition
Orientalism and Ephemera in the
College Building lower gallery.
• Oct. 24, 2:30-5 pm in the gallery,
symposium Legacies of Edward Said
with participants Jamelie Hassan, Ron
Benner, Julia Emberley, Amira Wasfy
and Jen Budney
• Oct. 24, 7-10 pm, Neatby Timlin
Theatre, Room 241 Arts, free screening
and discussion of Out of Place: Memories of Edward Said, a documentary
film by Sato Makoto
• Oct. 25, 2-5 pm, Neatby Timlin Theatre,
Room 241 Arts, a second free screening
of Out of Place: Memories of Edward Said.
• Oct. 27, 2:30-5 p.m. lower level gallery,
Symposium on Testimony with
Roseanne Kennedy, Julia Emberley
Jamelie Hassan, Adrian Stimson and
Mary Longman.
Economics Role Model Speaker
Oct. 24, 10:30-11:20 am, Room 202
Arts, Deborah Figart of Richard
Stockton College presents The
Complex Story of Wage Setting
Café Scientifique
U of S experts and local health
officials will discuss the safety of
Canada’s food supply Oct. 7 at 5 pm
at Boffins Club, Innovation Place.
Contact Research Communications to
reserve a seat.
Noon, MLT Lecture Theatre,
College of Law
• Oct. 20, Dan Ish presents Redressing
Historical Wrongs: Indian Residential
Schools Compensation
Public Lecture
The Dept. of English and the Classics,
Medieval and Renaissance Studies
program present Meg Twycross,
professor emeritus at Lancaster
University and a founding figure
in performance-based research in
medieval drama, Oct. 14 from 4-6 pm
in Room 344 St. Thomas More College. Her address is entitled Allegory:
Static and Dynamic.
Memorial Lectures
• Wendy Austin, professor of nursing, Dossetor Heath Ethics Centre,
University of Alberta, will give two
presentations as part of the Myrtle
Crawford Memorial Lectureship in the
College of Nursing.
The Gwenna Moss Centre for
Teaching Effectiveness
Room 50 Murray Building, unless
otherwise noted.
For information, call 966-2231 or visit
www.usask.ca/gmcte
• Oct. 6, 1:30-3 pm, Psychomotor skills
development in an undergraduate
dental program with Dr. Allan Kilistoff,
College of Dentistry
• Oct. 7, 3:30-5 pm, Teaching Effectiveness
Afternoons (TEA) with Pauline Melis
and Richard Long on the Teaching and
Learning Foundational Document
• M
S Office 2007 What’s New, Oct. 24,
1:30-3:30 pm, $0 for faculty, staff &
students; $70 for others
• O
utlook Intermediate, Nov. 4 & 6,
9-11:30 am, $0 for faculty, staff &
students; $100 for others
• P odcasting – Use, Production &
Distribution, Oct. 14, 9-noon, $0 for
faculty, staff & students; N/A for others
• P owerPoint Introduction, Oct. 14 &
16, 1:30-3:30 pm, $0 for faculty, staff &
students; $130 for others
• Oct. 9, 1:30-3 pm, Universal Design
and Adaptive Technology with Maxine
Kinakin, Disability Services for Students
• S AS for Windows - Introduction, Nov.
18 & 20, 6:30-9:30 pm, $0 for faculty,
staff & students; $130 for others
• Oct. 15, 2-3 pm, PAWS Course tools
with Information Technology Services
(ITS) staff
• S PSS for Windows Introduction, Oct.
21 & 23, 6:30-10:30 pm, $0 for faculty,
staff & students; $130 for others
• Oct. 15, 3-4 pm, “Holy enhanced student
experience Batman! Participating in
class is strongly correlated with better
grades!” “Yes,Robin. Incredible isn’t it?”
with Andrew Robinson, Department of
Physics and Engineering Physics
• S PSS Using Syntax, Nov. 4, 7-9 pm, $0 for
faculty, staff & students; $65 for others
• Oct. 16, 10-noon, Community ServiceLearning Information Session with
Phaedra Hitchings, community service
learning co-ordinator
• W
ord 2007 Introduction, Oct. 7, 9 am-4
pm, $125 for faculty, staff & students;
$160 for others
• Oct. 29, 7-8 pm, Frances Morrison
Library, public lecture entitled Is
Ethical Engagement with Patients and
Families at Risk in Today’s Health Care
System?
Edwards School of Business Courses
• Oct. 30, 1:30-3 pm, SaskTel Theatre,
RUH, U of S and health region lecture
entitled Moral Distress and the Health
Care Professional
For information, contact Edwards
Business Advisory Services at
966-8686
Weiss Public Lecture
• Oct.6-Feb 28/09 in Regina, Masters
Certificate in Project Management,
$7200 + GST
Samuel Weiss, winner of the 2008
Gairdner Award and discoverer
of adult brain stem cells that can
re-grow damaged neural tissue,
presents Adult Neural Stem Cells:
From Basic Science to Therapeutic
Applications Oct. 14 at 4 pm in the
SaskTel Theatre, Royal University
Hospital.
• I nDesign CS3 Introduction, Oct. 14 &
16, 9-noon, $150 for faculty, staff &
students; $185 for others
• Oct. 28, 3:30-4:30 pm, Teaching in
Canada Discussion Group
• Oct. 7-March 7/09 in Regina, Masters
Certificate in Business Administration,
$7200 + GST
• Nov. 5-March 28/09 in Saskatoon,
Masters Certificate in Project Management, $7200 + GST
• U
sing the U of S Wiki, Oct. 20, 1:30-4:30
pm, $0 for faculty, staff & students; N/A
for others
• P AWS, UniFi, EMAP and Si course
information may be found at
http://training.usask.ca
• Online Courses: TeachUSIT are free
online courses for U of S faculty, staff
and students, and include Microsoft
Office applications training and
Windows operating systems training.
For more information and to register,
visit http://teachusit.usask.ca
Health, Safety & Environment
Classes held in Room 140 Research
Annex unless otherwise noted. For
info, call 966-8492 or visit www.
usask.ca/dhse
• Biosafety Course: Oct. 7, 1-4:30 pm;
Nov. 19, 8:30-noon
Information Technology Services
(ITS)
• Biosafety Cabinet Training: Oct. 8,
9-noon, Nov. 19, 1-4 pm
For info or to register, call 966-4866
or go to http://focus.usask.ca/courses
• First Aid: Nov. 13, 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Fridays at 12:30 pm, Room 2105 WCVM
• Oct. 3, Bonnie Chaban presents Sweet
to the Extreme: Protein glycosylation
in Archaea
• A
ccess Introduction, Oct. 27 & 29,
1:30-4:30 pm, $125 for faculty, staff &
students; $160 for others
• Oct. 10, Emily Jenkins presents Climate
Change and Diseases at the Interface
of Public and Animal Health
• A
ccess Import & Export Data, Oct. 9,
1:30-4:30 pm, $85 for faculty, staff &
students; $105 for others
• Office Ergonomics: Nov. 12, 9-11 am
Philosophy in the Community
• A
dobe Acrobat Intermediate, Oct. 28 &
30, 1:30-4:30 pm, $150 for faculty, staff
& students; $185 for others
• Safety Orientation for Employees: Oct.
15, 1:30-3:30 pm, Nov. 25, 1:30-3:30 pm
Veterinary Microbiology
The lecture and discussion series
Philosophy in the Community is held
the second Wednesday of each month
at The Refinery, 609 Dufferin Ave.
starting at 7 pm.
• Oct. 8, What is Liberalism by Devin Ens
• Nov. 12, Learn to Spot and Avoid
Fallacies or Risk Annihilation!: A Crash
Course in Critical Thinking with Derek
Postnikoff
Courses
Continuing Professional Learning
- Medicine
For information, call 966-7787
• Oct. 4, Neonatal Resuscitation
Program, provider course, Saskatoon
• Oct. 17-18, Essentials of ECG
• A
rc AdvGIS, Oct. 6 & 7, 6:30-9:30 pm,
$0 for faculty, staff & students; $130
for others
• B
B Learning Design Basics, Oct.
7, 9-noon, $0 for faculty, staff &
students; $100 for others
• D
reamweaver Introduction, Oct. 21 &
23, 1:30-4:30 pm, $100 for faculty, staff
& students; $130 for others
• E xcel 2007 Intermediate, Oct. 21 &
23, 9-noon, $125 for faculty, staff &
students; $160 for others
• E xcel 2007 Pivot Tables/Charts, Oct.
22, 9-noon, $85 for faculty, staff &
students; $105 for others
• F lash Introduction, Oct. 20 & 22,
6:30-9:30 pm, $150 for faculty, staff &
students; $185 for others
• Oct. 18, Fetal Health Surveillance,
North Battleford
• G
raphics Management for Publication,
Oct. 22 & 24, 9-11:30 am, $0 for faculty,
staff & students; $130 for others
• Nov. 7-8, STABLE – Neonatal post
resuscitation/pre-transportation
stabilization
• H
TML Basics, Oct. 7, 1:30-4:30 pm, $0
for faculty, staff & students; $70 for
others
• Laboratory Safety: Oct. 6 & 10,
8:30-noon
• Laser Safety: Oct. 9, 1:30-3:30 pm; Nov. 27,
1:30-3:30 pm
• Radiation Safety: Nov. 17, 18 & 21, 1-4 pm
• Safety Orientation for Supervisors: Oct.
23, 9-11 am; Nov. 26, 1:30-3:30 pm
• Transportation of Dangerous Goods
(Receiver): Dec. 11, 10:30-noon
• Transportation of Dangerous Goods
(Refresher): Dec. 11, 1-4 pm
• Transportation of Dangerous Goods
by Air/Road (Shipper): Dec. 8,
8:30 am-4:30 pm
• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System: Nov. 6, 1:30-3:30 pm
Centre for Continuing & Distance
Education
For information, go to www.ccde.
usask.ca or call 966-5539
Certificate Programs—students must
be admitted to the program before
registering
Admission deadline, Term 2 – Dec. 17
Adult & Continuing Education
• Developing Presentation Skills, Oct
16 & 24
ocn October 3, 2008
11
Defense mechanisms a ‘psychological immune system’
 Brette Ehalt
Defense
mechanisms—
according to Michael Sheppard,
a PhD student in psychology, we
all use them.
“Defenses are
used reflexively by
all people, on a daily
basis, to cope with adversity,”
claims Sheppard. “They act as a
kind of psychological immune
system.”
Although
defense
mechanism
research
is
somewhat
uncommon
in
Canadian
psychology—it’s
more popular in psychiatry,
Sheppard notes—there is a
long history of theory and
research into defenses, with
hundreds of articles dating
back to Sigmund Freud. But
the focus of much of the literature, Sheppard says, has been
on identifying different kinds
of defenses, like rationalization, denial, and humour.
Sheppard’s research takes a
different approach. He is looking
at how appropriate-to-context
the defenses identified as characteristic for an individual are,
and how much psychological
distortion is involved in their
use. In other words, he’s asking:
are the defenses “the right tools
for the job? And are they being
used well?
“In one instance, a defense
may be useful; in
another, severely
problematic.
If you’re being
tortured, using dissociation,
which is a normally maladaptive defense, could be very
helpful by taking you ‘out of
the scene.’ But if you dissociate
while driving, after being cut
off by another vehicle, you may
wind up in an accident.”
Sheppard and his research
assistants are analyzing the
defenses of videotaped interviews of 100 undergraduate
male students who are relatively healthy psychologically,
and 60 federally incarcerated male offenders, who are
presumed relatively unhealthy
psychologically.
“I’m particularly interested in forensic psychology,
and inmates have been relatively neglected in the research
on defenses.”
Sheppard goes on to
explain the research process.
While watching the videotaped
interviews, a Q-sort method is
used to rate defenses along a
Grad Profile
Campus Incidents
continuum from the least characteristic to the most characteristic of an individual, wherein
five defenses are labeled as
somewhat characteristic, two
as quite characteristic and one
as most characteristic.
“This leaves eight defenses
considered to be ‘characteristic’
for each participant,” remarks
Sheppard. “These eight are
then rated using a measure
I developed to describe the
impact on social or occupational functioning, and to
MARK FERGUSON
describe the degree of psychological distortion involved
with each of the characteristic
defenses.”
While Sheppard is unable
to make specific conclusions
thus far, he has realized that
it is easier to determine how
well or unwell an individual’s
defenses are working than it is
to determine which particular
defenses they use.
Ideally, Sheppard hopes
that any additional knowledge
his research will provide
Brette Ehalt writes profiles of
grad students for the College of
Graduate Studies and Research.
Selected incidents reported by Campus Safety Department.
Report all information about these and other incidents to
Campus Safety at 966-5555.
Sept. 15 – 21
• Officers issued tickets for the following:
•1 being intoxicated in public
•3 having no driver’s license
•2 operating an unregistered vehicle
•5 being a minor in possession or consuming alcohol
•3 having alcohol other than in a dwelling
•1 driving while prohibited
•1 24-hour suspension
• An undetermined amount of copper wire was stolen from a Facilities
Management Division compound.
• A meter head was stolen from a meter post near Louis. Access was not
gained to coinage, but the cost of meter head replacement is $350.00.
• Unknown person(s) entered the upstairs main office of Rutherford
Rink and damaged several items.
Psychology PhD student Michael Sheppard
about defense mechanisms
will be useful in treatment
planning for both forensic and
non-forensic populations. In
knowing which defenses are
characteristic of an individual,
and how they are used, “the
clinical picture will become
richer.”
For example, if rationalization is identified as characteristic of a patient, the
treatment provider will be able
to recognize this behavior as
defensive, rather than “attitudinal.” Then, using Sheppard’s measure, the clinician
may also rate just how well
the individual is using his or
her defense by asking: is the
individual totally unable to
take responsibility, or does
he simply tend not to? Are
his rationalizations at least
somewhat reality based, or do
they border on delusional?
Sheppard estimates that
his project will wrap up in early
2009. Following graduation, he
hopes to work in clinical and
forensic psychology. 
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Unknown person(s) kicked a hole in the stairwell wall in Saskatchewan Hall.
Officers attended three medical calls for assistance.
Unknown person(s) damaged plants in the Beamish Conservatory.
A tool kit was stolen from a motorcycle parked in Lot 8.
A vehicle fire in Lot F lot was extinguished by Saskatoon Fire Department.
Gas was stolen from a vehicle parked in Lot U.
There was a motor vehicle/cyclist accident on Campus Drive. Minor
injuries were sustained by the cyclist.
Sept. 22 – 28
•1 being intoxicated in public
•1 having no driver’s license
•2 speeding tickets
•1 disobeying a stop sign
•1 24-hour suspension
• Officers investigated one case of graffiti at the College Building.
• Officers observed a male damage a light fixture outside of Louis. He
will make restitution.
• Two motor vehicle accidents were reported on campus.
• One bicycle was reported stolen.
• Officers attended three medical calls for assistance.
• A candy machine in the Physics Building was broken into.
• A parking pass was stolen from a contractor vehicle. A vehicle
was located with the stolen pass and the driver will face student
non-academic discipline.
Coming Events continued
Business & Leadership Programs
Environment, Science & Technology
• Business Writing and Grammar
Workout, Oct. 8 – 9
• Oct. 21-27 or Oct 28-Nov 3 or Nov 4-10,
Churchill, Manitoba Ecology Tour:
Polar Bears with Melanie Elliott or
Leslie Tuchek
• Effective Mentoring in the Workplace,
Oct. 15
• Leadership for Frontline Supervisors,
Nov. 5 – 6
• Ease the Load to Lead the Way: Press
Pause! Think Smart! Work Well!, Nov. 13
• Leadership Development Program
(LDP) - registrations are being accepted for the winter 2009 course Jan.
27-March 31, 2009
Community Arts Program
• Stained Glass I, weekends Oct. 3,4,5,
Fri: 6:30–9:30 p.m. & Sat/Sun 9 am–5
pm, $145
• Glass Fusion II , Sat & Sun, Oct. 18, 19, 9
am–5 pm, $345
• Nov 14-29, Australia Desert & the Great
Barrier Reef Ecology Tour with Melanie
Elliott
Indigenous Peoples Program
• Napewak (Men’s) Art and Cultural
Youth Leadership Retreat, Oct 3-5,
Ancient Spirals Retreat Centre
• Iskweak (Women’s) Art and Cultural
Youth Leadership Retreat, Oct. 17-19,
Ancient Spirals Retreat Centre
Language Centre Programs
For info or to register, call 966-4351
• Glass Fusion III, Sat & Sun. Nov 8, 9, 9
am – 5 pm, $345
• ESL Effective Writing and Grammar,
Mon. & Wed., Oct. 8 – Dec. 3, advanced
4:45-6:45 pm, intermediate 7-9 pm
• Silver Jewelry Making I, Sat & Sun, Nov
15, 16, 9 am–5 pm, $195
• TOEFL & CanTEST Preparation, Tues. &
Thurs., Oct. 9-Dec. 4, 4:45-6:45 pm
Conferences
Text Analysis Symposium
CaSTA 2008, the Canadian Symposium on Text Analysis, will be held
at the U of S Oct. 16-18 and will
feature two guest speakers. Both
presentations begin at 4:30 pm in the
Goodspeed Theatre, Edwards School
of Business.
• Oct. 16, Lisa Snyder of UCLA will
present Issues of Interpretation:
Digitizing Textual and Archaeological
Evidence to Reconstruct Jerusalem’s
Temple Mount
• Oct. 17, David Hoover of New York
University will present The Future of
Text Analysis
Co-ops and Health Care
A symposium entitled The Role
of Co-operatives in Health Care:
National and International Perspectives, will be held Oct. 30 from 8:30
am-4:30 pm at TCU Place, Saskatoon.
For more information, contact the
Centre for the Study of Co-operatives
at 966-8509.
Aboriginal Government
The College of Law is hosting a
conference entitled Aboriginal
Government – Giving Effect to our
Constitutional Commitments Nov.
7-8 on campus. For more information, contact Amanda Kozun in the
college at 966-7788.
Public Policy Symposium
The Knowledge Impact Society and
the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate
School of Public Policy are presenting
The Role of Economics in Public
Policy symposium Oct. 20 at TCU
Place, Saskatoon. For information or
to register, visit the school’s website
or call (306) 585-5869.
Economics Conference
The Dept. of Economics is hosting a
conference Oct. 18 on international
economics and economics research.
Invited speakers include Amartya Lahiri, UBC, and Alex Maynard, University
of Guelph. For more information, visit
the department website.
Submit
Coming Events
Information for Coming Events
will be accepted until 5 pm on
deadline day.
Next OCN: Friday, October 17
Deadline: Thursday, October 9
[email protected], fax 966-6815
or use web submission form at
www.usask.ca/ocn
October 3, 2008 ocn
12
From the Collection
On Campus News celebrates the University of Saskatchewan art collection. Begun in 1911, the collection comprises
more than 4400 objects, including many important examples from various artists and eras. OCN asked Kent Archer,
director of the collection, to select and discuss the works in this series.
University Art Collection image
Paul De Guzman emigrated from Manila to Vancouver in 1985. He trained as
an engineer in the Philippines, but after his arrival in Canada, he began an
intensive program of self-education in art, primarily through reading. In 1998,
he launched an art practice where he constructs paper architectures in place of
printed matter.
De Guzman removes specific pictures and text from his carefully selected
books once he has read them. The resulting husks consist of a pierced cover
that frames the blank sections that once separated blocks of printed matter on
each page. By allowing his reading to visibly “consume” the authored portions
of a book (which are presented in a second, smaller case), de Guzman renders
it wonderfully transparent, exposing a previously invisible framework of visual
communication within the pattern of the book’s gridded layout. The re-opened
volumes disclose a new entry point and a novel, post-readerly way of inhabiting the texts.
Additional Images may be viewed at: www.usask.ca/kenderdine
Artist:
Paul de Guzman
Title:
Study for MC
Date:
2002
Media:
Mixed media
Credit
Collection of the University of Saskatchewan, Purchased in 2003