The Humber College Council (HCC) held its seventh meeting of the 2020-2021 academic year on Thursday, March 18, 2021, online using Microsoft Teams. To ensure the Humber community is informed of upcoming events, new initiatives, and important issues, the College Council reports the highlights of its meetings. For more information or to provide feedback on these highlights, please contact risha.toney@humber.ca.
Roundtable
Donna O’Brien-Sokic [Faculty of Media & Creative Arts] brought forward a student concern that there is a communication gap related to international students extending work visas and participating in internships as part of their program. Laurie Rancourt [Senior VP, Academic] will relay this concern to the Dean of International and determine next steps.
Applied Research & Innovation.
Ginger Grant [Dean, Applied Research & Innovation] and Raeshelle Morris [Innovation Program Manager, Applied Research & Innovation] provided Council with an overview of what is involved in building a research culture at Humber. The Applied Research & Innovation (ARI) department is made up of five key areas: Innovation, Research & Development, Operations, Humber Press, and the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (SOTL).
G. Grant discussed how at Humber, we conduct phenomenon-driven research which is most relevant to polytechnic education. Research is conducted in this way to protect the institution, our ability to innovate, and to reduce risk. We follow our strategic pillars and explore how to operationalize our vision and mission of lead, transform and differentiate. Ideas are encouraged to be brought forward to the ARI department.
As an educational institution, Humber has access to various funding sources including tri-council grants – NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR. The ARI can help determine if an idea can qualify for a grant. Five College and Community Social Innovation fund grants were filed last year and awaiting approval. In 2020, Humber was 6th in Canada for research potential, rising from 30th in 2017. At the moment, we are close to seven million dollars in holding grants. The ARI has created a database on organizations, researchers, and students interested and involved in research, as well as research areas, projects, and awarded grants. See their website for more details.
The department holds various ‘building capacity' workshops and trainings – including grant coaching sessions - offered to all staff across all faculties and departments. Stay tuned for several sessions being held in the spring. There are also plans for a Summer Innovation Buffet podcast series to be held in June and July.
Government Relations Update
Kelly Jackson [Associate Vice president, Government Relations, Marketing, and Communications] and Jennifer Larson [Public Affairs Manager, Government Relations, Marketing, and Communications] provided an update on Government Relations (GR) activities at Humber over the past year. There are several GR goals, one of which is to connect Humber’s vision and priorities to those of government.
An overview of advocacy priorities during COVID-19 was provided. These included class size caps and exemptions, and the summer reopening pilot; and the nursing and engineering degree approvals. Humber recently hosted the Premier of Ontario at the launch of Humber’s standalone nursing degree. Looking ahead to Spring 2021, both the provincial and federal budget will be presented as well as an announcement on the annual tuition fee framework. Advocacy on class size caps will continue as this will have an impact on planning for the Fall 2021 semester.
J. Larson highlighted the Humber Cultural Hub as a case study on how GR is involved. Considerations for GR are monitoring funding opportunities and creating grant applications; increasing awareness of the project and its benefits; engaging with key stakeholders including government officials, community groups and individuals, and relevant local (i.e. Arts & Culture) organizations; and considering potential issues such as permit or planning challenges, impact of the pandemic on arts & culture, and community concerns related to the impact on the neighbourhood.
Council members were asked to consider and provide input on what is Humber doing well that would be important to communicate to government and where can Humber improve upon their communications, related to what government may not understand about Humber. Feedback was provided to the speakers after discussion took place in smaller MS Teams breakout rooms.
Farewell to Cynthia Lessard
Risa Handler [Chair, HCC] took the opportunity to say thank you and give a warm farewell to Cynthia Lessard. This was Cynthia’s final College Council meeting as April 1 was her last day at Humber. As the Executive Assistant to the Senior VP Academic, Cynthia was the Secretariat on Council. From minute-taking to planning to contributing to the overall direction of Council, Cynthia played an integral role on HCC and its executive for over four years. Cynthia is pursuing her passion for teaching and we wish her all the best.
The next meeting of the College Council will be held on Thursday, April 15, 2021. For meeting highlights, supporting materials, and opportunities to provide feedback, please visit the College Council website.