Residence is collecting gently used solar eclipse glasses, to provide to Astronomers Without Borders. These glassses will be given to people who may not otherwise have a safe way to view an upcoming eclipse directly.

To donate your gently used solar eclipse glasses, please feel free to drop them off at a residence front desk before April 22, 2024. 

Everyone can benefit from a campus that is designed to account for those who are neurodiverse. A neurodiverse campus is inclusive of individuals who identify as neurodivergent, a term that includes those with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and more. 

 A study by Statistics Canada reports that only 48% of neurodivergent youth enrolled in postsecondary compared to neurotypical youth. 

The University of Calgary developed a webinar that identifies 6 Principles to Inform Inclusive Campuses for Autistic and Neurodivergent People. The principles and some of the recommended strategies are summarized below. 

 1. Communication: Fostering understanding through diverse styles 

• Speak clearly and give time: Be literal, clear and concise in your communication. 

2. Environment: Creating spaces that embrace neurodiversity 

• Be flexible in various arrangements: Offer a variety of flexible work arrangements, such as start/end times, the number and timing of breaks, and the option to work from home. Consider providing online options for social interactions and meetings. 

3. Structure: Balancing clarity and adaptability 

• Create predictability: Establish familiarity with expectations and daily activities, such as start and completion times, due dates, and expectations. 

4. Flexibility: Adapting to foster inclusivity 

• Allow various evaluation methods: Offer flexibility in evaluation methods, allowing for alternative assessments or accommodations that better align with the individual's abilities.  

5. Connection: Building bridges through openness and understanding 

• Develop awareness: Neurodivergent individuals may not use eye contact in the ways non-neurodivergent individuals do. Do not judge the situation negatively; rather, accept the varied social style and continue with your interaction. 

6. Emotion: Navigating the spectrum of feelings 

• Confirm and clarify: Engage in open communication by confirming perceptions of others' emotions and avoid making assumptions. Seek to understand why they are feeling that way and encourage individuals to clarify or explain their emotional responses. 

The complete article and webinar can be found at https://www.ucalgary.ca/news/6-principles-inform-supportive-and-neurodiverse-campus  

Visit our ALS Information for Faculty website to learn more about accommodating students with disabilities. 

Please email us at accessible-learning@humber.ca with suggestions for key accessibility-related topics that you would like us to address through the Communiqué. 

The deadline to complete the SFQs is this Sunday, April 14.

If you have already enabled the SFQs for your course, then you are all set! Please note:

• Set 20 minutes of in-class time for students to complete the SFQs
• Only students can access the SFQ link. You may check with your students to verify that your SFQ is active
• Check your Humber email for SFQ updates on viewing response rates and results

Please connect with the Innovative Learning Support Centre if you need support.

SFQ Contest for Students

Note, to maximize the SFQ completion rate, there is a competition for students who complete their SFQs.

At the end of each SFQ, students will receive a link to the contest rules and entry form to fill out to enter a random draw for a chance to win one (1) of these prizes:

• Grand Prize: A choice between an iPhone 14 or an iPad Pro 11"
• Secondary Prizes: One (1) of fifteen (15) $50 e-gift cards

Students are allowed to submit one (1) contest entry per completed questionnaire. This contest is running now and closes at 11:59 p.m. on April 14, 2024. Students will have access to the contest terms and conditions when they click the link provided after their SFQ has been submitted.

SFQ Faculty Draw Info:

• Each faculty member, for every course taught where the SFQ completion rate of 30% or greater, will automatically receive one entry
• A random draw will be held on Tuesday, April 16, 2024
• Eligible registrants have a chance to win one grand prize or one of five common prizes
• All Humber College faculty members teaching Winter 2024 postsecondary courses that offer the SFQ are eligible to win a prize

The Professional Writing and Communications (PWC) graduate certificate students are available for work in full-time writing and communications roles this spring and summer, from May to mid-August, for their work placement. PWC students work in various fields such as grant/proposal writers, social media managers, communications specialists, editors and more!  

Third-semester PWC students are able to create documents suitable for a diversity of audiences and purposes using advanced linguistic and rhetorical skills and are prepared to produce work individually or in collaboration.   

The work-integrated learning experience should allow students to: 

• demonstrate proficiency in adhering to professional writing best practices;
• collaborate with others in a professional setting;
• show responsiveness to business and organizational procedures and protocols;
• apply core communications strategies and skills;
• and show time-management skills by completing assigned tasks in a timely and professional manner.  

For more information about hosting a PWC work placement, please contact Megan Hornblow at megan.hornblow@humber.ca.