The College Employer Council has posted Management Bargaining Team Update September 24, 2021: Mediation – The CEC Embraces the Chance for Dialogue on its website.
For more information, visit https://www.collegeemployercouncil.ca/en.
You asked, we listened! Beginning this week, Gourmet Express is opening earlier to better serve you.
Visit us between 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a variety of student made meals, baked goods, beverages, and fresh free trade coffee. We are closed for an hour for cleaning.
See you soon.
As we continue to move into the Autumn, Humber's Innovative Learning team is keeping up the positive vibe with our latest edition of our Innovative Learning Newsletter (PDF). In this issue, we highlight key moments of the Senior Leadership’s reflection on Humber's values of Equity, Courage, Innovation, Sustainability, and Health & Well-being. We bring more on Blackboard Ultra workshops and resources, just part of how the team is supporting faculty in the Move to Blackboard Ultra. The Staff Lounge podcast producers and guests are working on a great episode about Sustainability and what that means for teaching and learning. Finally, we’re promoting the League Excellence Awards. It’s nomination time!
Visit the Innovative Learning website for information, resources, workshop registrations, and much more.
Enjoy this issue!
Your on-campus restaurant, The Humber Room, is opening Tuesday, September 28, 2021.
Join us this semester on Monday, Tuesday and Friday for themed weeks and different service styles.
This week's theme is fish and seafood.
We are seating reservations from 12 p.m. to 12:15 p.m., and service ends at 1:30 p.m., so don't be late.
Our restaurant is regularly sanitized and our staff wear protective gear for your safety.
We look forward to seeing you.
As you may know, Residence conducts fire drills every September to ensure our residents would be ready in an emergency. The specific date of the drills are not shared with our residents, however, we have notified them that it will take place this week, and what they should do any time a fire alarm goes off so they can be prepared.
We understand that this year, in particular, it is possible that a student may be in an online class while in residence when the drill takes place. Residents are expected to participate in the drill regardless of what they are doing at the time, and we ask that instructors who are teaching online courses after 5 p.m. this week be understanding of the circumstances, should a resident need to evacuate for the drill.
College Council Highlights: September 16, 2021
Humber College Council (HCC) held its first meeting of the 2021-2022 academic year on Thursday, September 16, 2021, online through Microsoft Teams. To ensure the Humber community is informed of upcoming events, new initiatives and important issues, College Council reports the highlights of its monthly meetings. For more information or to provide feedback on the highlights, please contact andrea.tavchar@humber.ca and sheila.moore@humber.ca.
Truth and Reconciliation – Interactive Session
Jason Seright, [Dean, Indigenous Education and Engagement], presented an interactive session to College Council. Jason started by reviewing the important work that is being done at Humber in Indigenous Education and Engagement, our early commitments to the Indigenous Education Protocol, the importance of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report and the 94 calls to action, in particular, #62 which deals with education. We were reminded of Senator Murray Sinclair’s powerful words, ‘Education got us into this mess and education will get us out of it,’ which emphasizes the transformative role that education plays in building and restoring balance with the Indigenous community. Humber’s Indigenous Education Plan is based on Mino Nawendiwin – the need for good relations, while acknowledging the interconnection between us all and incorporating the Indigenous world view that decisions need to benefit everyone rather than only select groups.
Given this, the need for action and the importance that education plays in Mino Nawendiwin, Jason challenged each HCC member to pick one of the calls to action in the TRC and put it into action. One possible action is for members to write their own Land Acknowledgement and Jason offered to provide training to facilitate that. We were reminded that it is okay be nervous and unsure but it’s important to do it. Members will report back on the actions that they have taken at our retreat in May/June 2022!
Student Services for Fall 2021
Ian Crookshank, [Dean of Students], provided an informational update on Student Success & Engagement (SSE) for Fall 2021. Given SSE’s focus is on helping students be Future-Ready, Flexible, Equitable, Well, and its mission to empower a diverse community of learners.
Overview: SSE is divided into three main categories: Transition & Academic Support; Athletics & Recreation, and Student Wellness & Equitable Learning.
Learnings from the past year: Approximately 93% of appointments with students were conducted virtually and students have initially contacted this group asynchronously via email. While in many cases engagement with students using digital tools has increased, the numbers have decreased in First Year Experience sessions, and it is hoped that these will return to in-person when possible. The guiding principle of SEE is to make decisions that decisions are student centric and ensure equitable access to services for learners whether the student is on campus or remote.
Student Support for Fall 2021:
It is important to note that after the first seven weeks of the semester, things will be evaluated and modified if needed.
Important Links:
HCC Constituent Communication Survey
Andrea Tavchar [Chair, Humber College Council] and Sheila Moore [Vice Chair College Council], shared the results of the survey sent to College Council members.
A nine-question HCC Member Survey was distributed to all members in the spring of 2021 requesting feedback on the communication process between members and their respective Humber constituent groups. There were 18 respondents who shared the following:
A template providing suggested messaging for communicating highlights to constituents was provided.
Discussion after the survey presentation focused on a number of ideas such as:
Further work will be conducted on HCC communication efforts with the goal of developing a communication plan that will guide members to engage with constituent groups more consistently.
Welcome from Humber College President
Chris Whitaker [President and CEO Humber College] welcomed College Council members to the new school year. Chris recognized the work to improve communication between HCC and its constituents and supported the conversation around raising the profile of HCC. Chris stated that the 2021 fall semester is, again, unlike any other. Stressing the importance of communication throughout the college, Chris emphasized that we should maintain communication to stay connected, work together and to continuously find ways to improve. With the partial return to campus and the threat of the Delta variant, Chris acknowledged that Humber continues to face COVID-related challenges. Chris reminded the HCC members to continue to work toward Humber's strategic goals, and that despite the dynamic period of change and uncertainty there are lots of positive initiatives taking place at Humber.
The next meeting of College Council will be held Thursday, October 14 online through Microsoft Teams. For meeting highlights, supporting materials, or opportunities to provide feedback please visit the College Council website.
Counselling Services is excited to announce the return of the Healthy Minds for Stressful Times group for Fall 2021. This group will be conducted virtually. This group will provide students with:
Details:
Important information:
Please promote to your students:
**Students are not required to sign up in advance**
Contact: Rose Anthony at rose.anthony@humber.ca
Healthy Minds for Stressful Times works from an anti-oppression framework. We recognize that students face systemic oppression on the basis sexual and gender orientation, race, body size, class, disability, immigration status, country of origin, culture, age and religion. We are committed to creating an environment that celebrates diversity, and challenges all forms of oppression.
The Big Hoax: The Anatomy of Anti-Intellectualism, Denialism and Conspiracy Theories, Past and Present
October 22-23, 2021
Humber@TIFA 7th Annual Interdisciplinary Academic Conference (Virtual)
To register for our conference, create a free TIFA (Toronto International Festival of Authors) account. If you need any help registering, please consult the FAQ page.
The schedule of our conference is on the festival calendar.
After creating your free membership, you must register for each Humber@TIFA event separately. You can find our events labeled “The Big Hoax” with our distinctive conference art by Angela Aujla on:
There will be a keynote by acclaimed author and journalist Pankaj Mishra and a plenary panel by Humber Faculty members Nathan Radke and Dr. Lee Kuhnle of “The Uncover Up Podcast” on the Conspiratorial Mind on Friday, October 22, and four fascinating panels on Saturday, October 23. Once registered you will also be able to participate in the many wonderful events hosted by TIFA during their festival from October 21 to 31, free of charge.
To find out more about the panels (abstracts and bios) please consult our website.
We hope that you can join us!
Co-chairs, Jennifer Marotta & David Miller
As we get closer to September 30 and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, we want to know what this important day means to you.
We encourage all members of the Humber Community to visit Humber’s new National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Gallery. From here, you can upload your message and image of yourself in an orange shirt.
You can also post on social media and tag us so we can add it to the Gallery:
Facebook and Instagram: @HumberIndigenous and @HumberCollege
Twitter: @HumberIndig and @HumberCollege
For more information about upcoming events and initiatives, visit the Humber Truth and Reconciliation webpage.
Indigenous Education & Engagement
Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
Our flags will be lowered on Sunday, September 26 in honour of Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day.
On September 24, 1998 the Government of Canada officially proclaimed the last Sunday of September of every year as Police and Peace Officers’ National Memorial Day. This National Memorial Day gives Canadians an opportunity each year to formally express appreciation for the dedication of police and peace officers, which made the ultimate tragic sacrifice to keep our communities safe.
For more information, visit the Justice Laws Website.
