Announcements

Gratitude for Your Donations to Ernestine's Women's Shelter
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When:
January 11, 2022
Contact:
Kim Folliott
Email:
kim.folliott@humber.ca

On behalf of the Faculty of Health Sciences & Wellness, a heartfelt thank you to all who donated to our annual fundraiser for Ernestine's Women's Shelter ahead of the holiday break. We managed to slightly surpass our goal this year, and raised a total of $2,100 in support of this important local partner.

The spirit of giving is very much alive within the Humber community, and that kindness and generosity is incredibly appreciated by the team at Ernestine's.

https://ernestines.ca/newsite/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Logo_Ernestines-trans.png

What We Do

Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter is a community-based feminist organization run by women that provides support and shelter for women and children escaping abuse and violence. Ernestine’s is a 32-bed emergency shelter with 14 private bedrooms.

We provide a home for the women and their children – who stay with us from six months to over one year – until we find appropriate housing for them. During their stay, we provide them with all the necessities they might need (new bedding, clothes, school supplies, toiletries, baby supplies, prescriptions not covered by OHIP, loaded Presto cards, and anything else they might need). 

In the last year, Ernestine’s provided shelter and support to 52 adults and 33 children, who called Ernestine’s their home.

In addition to shelter clients, we support over 600 women and children from across the GTA through our Outreach Program. We provide counselling services and programs as well as access to the shelter’s on-site donation rooms and food bank to our Outreach clients. 

In 2020, Ernestine’s offered lifelines to 269 adults and 355 children in the community through our Outreach Programs. In the same year, 252 adults and 344 children were serviced as a result of the 735 times Ernestine’s food support services were accessed. This is a 70% increase in number of families who received food support. 

We provide a range of holistic services to our shelter and Outreach clients. Our services and programs include 24-hour crisis assistance, individual and group-based counselling support, Child & Youth programs, as well as legal, housing, and immigration support and advocacy. 

Since we opened our doors in 1983, we have supported over 15,000 women and children.

2SLGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group
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When:
January 11, 2022
Progressive Pride Flag

The 2SLGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group (ERG) is inviting interested faculty and staff who identify as a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community to join the ERG. The ERG helps advance a culture at Humber that is accepting and inclusive for all 2SLGBTQ+ staff, faculty and students through outreach, community development, events, and consultation.

The 2SLGBTQ+ ERG meets once a month (currently virtual) to engage in event planning, workshops, guest speakers, and discuss current topics at Humber College. We are always looking for new ideas, events, and opportunities to further engage our community within the ERG and Humber College.

Aligning with Humber’s Strategic Priority #7 under Pillar #3, Healthy and Inclusive Community, the ERG brings together employees who share a common identity, characteristic and set of interests. We work to create a culture of inclusion that enhances employee engagement and further supports Humber’s vision and values.

Humber employees who identify as 2SLGBTQ+ and are interested in joining this ERG can indicate their interest by sending an email to co-chair Matthew Harris at matthew.harris@humber.ca.

Additional information about Humber’s Employee Resource Groups

Hybrid Work Training for Employees and Managers
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When:
January 10, 2022
Posters/Attachments: Event Poster
Hybrid Work Training Announcement and details

While hybrid working arrangements are being considered, it may be the first time for many employees working in a hybrid working arrangement. A hybrid working arrangement means that on any given day, team members may be working on campus, remotely, and on different work schedules.

To prepare managers and employees for hybrid working arrangements, detailed training sessions have been developed to support employees and managers in the transition to hybrid working arrangements.

There are multiple dates for all training sessions in January and February 2022. Please review the Hybrid Work Training Calendar, select the date and time that works best for you, and register for the sessions you are interested in. 

You can also register by clicking on the Employee and Manager Training dates below:

Employee Training:

Contributing in a Hybrid Work Environment

This training will provide employees with an understanding of how to manage their work schedule and performance, as well as how to maintain strong communication and collaboration with their team while working in a hybrid work environment.

Well-being for Employees in a Hybrid Work Environment

This training will provide employees with an understanding of how to separate work life from home life (set boundaries), manage change, develop coping skills, and understand resources available related to well-being.

Manager Training:

Making Hybrid Meetings Work: Interactive Keynote (New)

This training will provide managers with an understanding of when and when not to hold a hybrid meeting, handling the challenges of hybrid meetings, set-up required for inclusivity, and how to open and manage participation during hybrid meetings.

Note: Managers who would like further practice and coaching can also register for the Practice & Coaching session (detailed below). The Interactive Keynote is a prerequisite for the Practice & Coaching session.

If you register for this training session and then are unable to attend, please email oe@humber.ca to let us know, so we can give the spot to someone else.

Making Hybrid Meetings Work: Practice & Coaching (New)

In this practice and coaching session, managers will define their top hybrid meeting challenges and work collaboratively to practice the recommended techniques for meeting these challenges.

Note: The prerequisite for this course is the Making Hybrid Meetings Work: Interactive Keynote (detailed above). Please register and attend the Interactive Keynote prior to your registration date for the Practice & Coaching session.

If you register for this training session and then are unable to attend, please email oe@humber.ca to let us know, so we can give the spot to someone else.

Managing in a Hybrid Work Environment

This training will provide managers with an understanding of how to manage team expectations around work schedules and performance, as well as how to maintain strong communication and collaboration amongst their team while working in a hybrid work environment.

Remote Working Policy and Hybrid Work

This training will provide managers with details on the application of the remote working policy and explain hybrid work at Humber.

Well-being for Managers in a Hybrid Work Environment

This training will provide managers with an understanding of how to respect boundaries set by their team, manage change, support their team with developing coping skills, and understand resources available related to well-being.

Each training session has a maximum number of participants, but additional sessions will be scheduled based on demand.

If you have any questions about the training, please contact oe@humber.ca.

Humber Virtual Pathways Fair - Fun Fact #2
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When:
January 10, 2022
Humber Virtual Pathways Fair- January 18 & 19, 2022

Did you know Humber has over 100+ diploma to degree pathways for our current students to explore.

Explore all the options at the Humber Virtual Pathways Fair.

Register now

You can also use our new and improved Pathways Module to search degree, postgraduate and Master’s pathways at Humber and beyond.

Social Innovation Survey
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When:
January 10, 2022
Contact:
Stephanie Byer
Email:
stephanie.byer@humber.ca

The Faculty of Social and Community Services (FSCS) has launched a Social Innovation Survey to gather the insights, opinions, and ideas of the entire Humber community. This survey will help inform, shape, and advance Humber’s Centre of Social Innovation. Although there are numerous definitions of social innovation, it is fundamentally about developing new solutions to complex social opportunities and challenges. Humber’s potential for social innovation focuses on mobilizing multidisciplinary ideas, new technologies, and entrepreneurial thinking to address current societal challenges on local, national, and global levels.

A broad range of stakeholders have been invited to share their experiences, expertise, and perspectives including faculty, staff, students, community partners, and Program Advisory Committee members. The Centre of Social Innovation will make up part of Humber’s network of Centres of Innovation (COIs) which is pioneering a new model of education that brings together interdisciplinary teams of faculty, students, and partners to solve complex, industry-relevant problems. This network is supported by exceptional resources including six Faculties, each with a specialized focus; expertise in more than 180 program areas; 11 Centres of Excellence; and the Office of Research & Innovation.

Complete the survey for your chance to win one of three $25 gift cards supporting local businesses!

This survey closes on January 31, 2022 and the draw will be held on February 1, 2022.

If you have any questions, please connect with Stephanie Byer, Manager, International & Strategic Initiatives at stephanie.byer@humber.ca.

Article: Knowledge of Random Events and Chance in People with Gambling Problems: An Item Analysis
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When:
January 10, 2022

View the new journal article by Humber professor Dr. Masood Zangeneh.

Abstract

This paper examines the items of two scales, the Random Events Knowledge Test (REKT) and the Chance Test, and examines their relationship with problem gambling (N = 1375). Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, the REKT was broken down into four sub-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 sub-scales: abstract Odds, Table Odds, and Chance Odds. These sub-scales were regressed onto of problem gambling severity and revealed that more knowledge about random chance on all sub-scales of the REKT and Abstract Odds from the Chance Test were negatively related to problem gambling. On the other hand, we found that higher score on the Table Odds and Chance Odds from the Chance Test were positively related to problem gambling. The results illustrate that compared to people who do not have a gambling problem, problem gamblers have a more accurate understanding of some aspects of the chances of winning specific games, but have a poorer understanding of various implications of the independence of random events. The findings suggest potential strategies for the prevention and treatment of problem gambling.

Journal: International Gambling Studies

Article link

Centre for Entrepreneurship - January Newsletter
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When:
January 7, 2022
Centre for Entrepreneurship logo

Welcome back, everyone. We hope you enjoyed a well-deserved break. We encourage you to stay connected with us for upcoming events, programs and workshops, along with a variety of CfE and partner opportunities. Check out what's happening this winter. View the January newsletter.

Minimum Wage Increase
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When:
January 7, 2022
Contact:
David Teixeira
Email:
david.teixeira@humber.ca

As per the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), effective January 1, 2022, the general minimum wage in Ontario increased from $14.35 to $15.00 an hour. This minimum wage applies to most employees covered under the ESA. If an employee’s current wage is less than $14.35 an hour, they will notice an increase to their hourly rate to $15.00 on the January 28, 2022 pay slip.

Learn more about the upcoming change

Updated Academic Plans for Winter 2022 Term and Some Operational Changes
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When:
January 6, 2022

In response to the evolving pandemic situation and following recent government announcements, Humber College has made some changes to the plans for in-person learning for the Winter 2022 term. These plans are intended to ensure that the experiential learning needs of our student community are met. 

On January 24, all lab-based courses will return to campus as planned and in compliance with local public health guidelines and government directives. 

All theory-based courses will remain online until Sunday, March 6. We are planning to return to in-person learning on Monday, March 7. There may be very limited exceptions and learners in those situations will be advised directly.    

Students will receive additional details from their programs. 

Should there be any further changes to academic delivery plans, we will update students accordingly. Please visit www.humber.ca/updates for the most recent information. 

Impacts of Recent Government Announcements on Humber Operations 

On January 3, the Ontario government announced that the province would be moving to a modified version of Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen. Following this announcement, the Ministry of Colleges and Universities confirmed that there are still no changes to capacity limits or physical distancing requirements for instructional spaces at post-secondary institutions.  

There are changes that will impact some of Humber’s service areas, including fitness centres and food services. The government’s January 3 announcement included the following measures, in place until at least January 26: 

  • Closing indoor sport and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms.
    • Humber’s fitness facilities will be closed until at least January 26. 
  • Closing indoor dining at restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments, including food courts. Takeout, drive-through and delivery is permitted.  
    • Humber’s food services will be limited with no indoor dining options. Food will be available to take away. Please see food services hours and availability for January 4 to 23. During this period, we ask that students and staff do not congregate without masks while dining. 
  • Retail settings, including shopping malls, permitted at 50 per cent capacity. 
    • Campus stores are open and are offering both online and in-store shopping (limited to 50 per cent capacity) to provide students and the Humber community with one-stop convenience. Order online at www.humbershop.ca for North Campus and www.humberlakeshoreshop.ca for Lakeshore Campus with free pick up in-store. For updated information on store news and hours, please visit North Campus Store and Lakeshore Campus Store.    
  • Reducing social gathering limits to five people indoors and 10 people outdoors. 
    • Social gatherings within Humber, including Residence, will be limited and adhere to these limits, provided physical distancing or masking is in place. Any additional impacts to residence, including any refund options can be found at humber.ca/residence.
  • Public libraries are limited to 50 per cent capacity. 
    • Humber Libraries physical locations are closed until such time as students return to campus, but a variety of online services and resources are available, including virtual research instruction and Idea Lab digital fluency supports. 

It was also announced that all publicly funded and private schools would be moving to remote learning starting January 5 until at least January 14. We know that this will likely be challenging for our staff who are parents and caregivers. Please speak with your manager about any concerns you have or challenges you may be facing in the coming weeks. We need to continue to be understanding of the different circumstances as we work through this situation together. In addition, to assist with reducing the spread of COVID-19, I would ask all managers to ensure that any work that is operationally feasible, be performed remotely. 

On December 30, the Ontario government also announced Updating Public Health Measures and Guidance in Response to Omicron. Following the changes to PCR testing availability and isolation periods, in consultation with Toronto Public Health, Humber has updated the instructions on Reporting COVID-19 at Humber: When and How to Report. 

We recognize that these changes and the broader provincial directives may cause anxiety for some staff. Resources for health and well-being can be found on the following websites: 

  • Healthy Work from Home Resources 
  • LifeWorks, a partner provider to Humber has a variety of wellness resources all employees can access for free on their website: www.workhealthlife.com. Search for Humber Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning and find information on a variety of topics areas like health & well-being, career & workplace, financial security, and life events. 

I encourage all staff to take advantage of the resources on these sites. 

We are in a rapidly changing situation in Ontario, and we will continue to share any updates and information that impact Humber operations, as they become available. The latest information can also be found at humber.ca/updates. 

Stay safe and be well,  
 
Lori Diduch 
Vice-President, Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness 

Article: Benefits of Positive Psychology-Based Story Reading on Adolescent Mental Health and Well-Being
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When:
January 6, 2022

Benefits of Positive Psychology-Based Story Reading on Adolescent Mental Health and Well-Being

Abstract

The importance of complete mental health in school context has recently begun to attract a lot of attention. Positive psychology interventions are often associated with improvement in mental health outcomes, but few studies have examined whether story reading is an intervention that is linked with indicators of complete mental health. This study investigated the effects of story reading interventions on both positive and negative indicators of mental health over time for a group of Turkish grade 10 high school students (n = 53). These included 33 students in a story reading group and 20 in a control group for comparison. The results showed that story reading led to improvement in students’ mindfulness, optimism, happiness, and positive emotions, and also caused reduction in depression, anxiety, pessimism, and other negative emotions over a 5-week period, with a small to large effect sizes. The obtained results are discussed in the context of their implications for potential psychological interventions in high school settings.

View the full journal article by Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences and Innovative Learning professor Masood Zangeneh.

Access the article

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