PDF - On Campus News - University of Saskatchewan
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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,ÊÈÈÈnnÊUÊ,9-/" Ê//,ÊÈÈx£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