The Ontario Labour Relations Board, Ministry of Labour, is coordinating an OPSEU CAAT-A strike mandate vote from December 9-11, 2021. Please find attached more information about the vote and its process.

On November 25, the CEC circulated a comparison document which outlines the positions of both parties. It is important for each academic employee to make informed decisions throughout the bargaining process.

More information is also available on the CEC’s website and the OPSEU website. 

Please contact OPSEU if there are any questions about the voting process.

The Office of the Principal, Lakeshore Campus has launched an ongoing initiative to collect unopened full-size toiletries and unopened travel/hotel toiletries to donate to shelters supporting women and children leaving domestic violence.

This past December 6th marked the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, the anniversary of the murder of 14 young women at Polytechnique Montréal in 1989. This day is about remembering those who have experienced gender-based violence and those who we have lost to it. This day falls within the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an annual international campaign that kicked off on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ran until 10 December, Human Rights Day. 

The global theme for this year’s campaign was “Orange the world: End violence against women now!” In Canada and around the world, women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, plus) and gender diverse individuals face unacceptable violence and discrimination. Gender-based violence in Canada has been magnified and amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic with police services, shelters, and local organizations reporting an increase in calls related to gender-based violence.

Items can be dropped off at WEL 302-H in the Lakeshore Campus Principal’s Office (3rd Floor, Student and Welcome Resource Centre). Please contact Steph Byer at stephanie.byer@humber.ca if you have questions or would like to arrange a drop off. 

Thank you for your support and contributions.

Are you or someone you know experiencing violence? Learn about the resources available in Ontario, including helplines and shelters here.

View the article by Humber Professor Masood Zangeneh. This article will be published in the International Gambling Studies journal.

Article Title: Knowledge of Random Events and Chance in People with Gambling Problems: An item analysis.
Co-authored by: Masood Zangeneh, Ph.D., Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences and Innovative Learning
Journal: International Gambling Studies (RIGS)
Journal link: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rigs20/current

Abstract

Problem gamblers have been shown to have a wide range of erroneous beliefs about gambling. Studies of erroneous beliefs and the prevention of problem gambling have produced mixed results. This paper examines problem gamblers' knowledge of random chance and the odds of winning using the Random Events Knowledge Test (REKT) and the Chance Test. A component
analysis was conducted on the REKT. The scale was broken down into four scales: Due to Win, Counterintuitive Nature of random chance, Odds Do Not Improve, and Biases and Wins. The Chance Test was broken down into three components: Abstract Odds, Table Odds, and Chance Odds. To determine which aspects of these variables are most strongly related to problem gambling, we regressed them onto the log value of problem gambling severity and found that all four subscales of the REKT were negatively related to problem gambling; further, we found the Table Odds and Chance Odds were positively related to problem gambling. The results illustrate that problem gamblers generally have an accurate understanding of the odds of winning the games that they play but do not understand various implications of the independence of random events. Furthermore beliefs about the nature of random events, appears to be a multidimensional construct made up of four components. The failure to grasp any of these four components is related to problem gambling. The challenge for the treatment and prevention of problem gambling is how to teach gamblers a realistic understanding of random events. The findings suggest some potential strategies for the prevention of problem gambling.

Humber College is committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive culture in which all members of the College community study, work and live free from discrimination and harassment. The College has the right, as well as the legal and moral responsibility, to ensure that all its members are treated fairly, equitably, and respectfully, in order to provide a learning, working and living environment free from discrimination and harassment on the basis of gender identity and gender expression; and one in which transgender and non-binary individuals are included, respected and encouraged to reach their potential as members of the College community.

Discrimination and harassment based on gender identity and gender expression are prohibited under the Ontario Human Rights Code (Code). The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) defines gender identity as "each person's internal and individual sense of being a woman, a man, both, neither, or anywhere along the gender spectrum." Our names and pronouns are two fundamental ways we express gender and how others perceive our gender. The words people use to describe themselves and others are very important. The OHRC also reminds us that "The right terms can affirm identities and challenge discriminatory attitudes. The wrong ones can disempower, demean and reinforce exclusion".

Pronouns such as she/her and he/him do not fit everyone's gender identity. There are numerous other pronouns a person can use, such as they/them/theirs, ze/zir/zirs, ey/em/eir, etc. We cannot assume a person's gender identity from their pronouns. Humber's Gender Diversity Policy states, "All individuals within the College community are entitled to be referred to by the gender pronoun(s) of their choice." Under the Code and Humber's Human Rights Policy and Gender Diversity Policy, everyone has the right to self-identify their gender. "Misgendering," referring to someone with the incorrect pronouns, is a form of harassment. (source)

It is increasingly common for people to introduce themselves with their pronouns or to include them in email signatures- great steps towards increased inclusion. However, no one should ever be forced, compelled, or pressured to share their pronouns publicly, i.e., at a meeting or in a classroom. This may have the effect of making the person feel they have no option but to "out" themselves. "Outing" is the act of disclosing a 2SLGBTQ+ person's sexual orientation or gender identity without that person's consent or without the person feeling safe or ready to do so. Outing someone would be a violation of Humber's Gender Diversity Policy, Human Rights Policy, and the Code. Consider asking people to share their pronouns only if they are comfortable and having an option to do so privately.

If you have questions about pronouns, please contact humanrights@humber.ca.

Thank you for your continued commitment to an inclusive working, learning and living environment at the College.