Through the work of Assistive Technologist Eva Revuelta-Lopez, Disability Services has acquired the use of of IPADs and Mac Book Air Lap Tops in partnership with Apple. Through this partnership students and staff in Disability Services will be better able to determine how these products can make education more accessible on campus. We look forward to watching this program develop.

For more information contact: Joe Henry at joe.henry@humber.ca.

Test Centre Summer Hours
Effective July 3, 2012

Please see link below for full information:

staff/sites/default/files/TestCentre_Hours.pdf

We all look forward to the sunny warm weather that comes with summer; however, high temperatures can pose a risk to workers, particularly for those whose jobs involve outdoor activities.  When heat is combined with other stresses such as high humidity, physical exertion, fatigue, or lack of acclimatization, it can lead to heat-related illnesses.

The heating and cooling balance in our body depends on the amount of heat absorbed from the environment as well as the heat generated through physical activities.  As our body heats up, it tries to cool itself through the evaporation of sweat.  If body fluids and salts are not replaced, the body starts to overheat.  Heat-related conditions include heat rash, fainting, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Depending on the condition, symptoms may include dizziness or fainting, nausea, weakness, heavy sweating, and rapid breathing.

Report heat stress concerns to your supervisor. If you experience symptoms of heat stress during extreme heat, move to a cool area, loosen your clothing, get cool water to drink, and get medical attention immediately.

Tips for Preventing Heat Stress:

• Be aware of days involving high temperatures or high humidity levels, particularly if you work outdoors.  The City of Toronto issues heat alerts during such conditions.
• Keep your body hydrated. Drink more water during hot days.
• Wear breathable, light clothing that allows free movement of air. Air movement over the skin surface maximizes body heat removal by both evaporation and convection.
• Schedule more strenuous activities during cooler times of the day.
• Schedule frequent short breaks instead of a few longer breaks. Frequent short breaks away from the sun allow the body to cool down and prevent it from overheating.
• Use sunscreen and keep your head covered.

If you work indoors and your work environment is at higher temperatures or humidity levels during the summer months, either because of mechanical failure or the lack of air-conditioning, inform your supervisor.  Facilities Management or Health and Safety Services can assist in assessing the situation.  Light clothing, hydration, fans, or breaks in a cooler environment can help reduce your discomfort.

 For further information with regard to heat stress in the workplace, please visit:

http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pdf/gl_heat.pdf
http://www.wsib.on.ca/files/Content/PreventionHSGuide/HeatStressGuide.pdf

HR Services | Health and Safety Services
www.hrs.humber.ca/safety 

Academic Council Highlights Report

Academic Council met for the last time this academic year on June 12, 2012 at the North Campus. Here are the highlights of our meeting.

President’s Remarks

John Davies addressed Council with some parting remarks, focusing on some of the major themes on the horizon for both Humber and postsecondary education in Ontario, and expressing confidence in the college’s present positioning. He emphasized that Humber is extremely well-prepared for the future, due to our many different kinds of credentials, which provide multiple pathways for students once they enter Humber. President Davies ended his remarks with a statement of confidence in the incoming president, Dr. Chris Whitaker, to lead Humber into the future.

Program Planning and Development

Humber has applied for consent renewal for the Bachelor of Applied Technology (Industrial Design). The application will include adjustments to the curriculum that strengthen the program, including a reduction in the number of courses and a restructuring of some of the courses. The application also involves a change in nomenclature to Bachelor of Industrial Design, in order to be more consistent with typical nomenclature for programs of this type.

Student Leadership Institute

Aisling Burke gave us an update on the second annual Student Leadership Institute. This year’s theme was “Inspire Change.” The annual two-day conference is open to all Humber and Guelph-Humber students; this year 95 students participated. Participants stayed in residence, and attended a wide variety of sessions on topics such as mentoring, communication skills, values, volunteerism, and public speaking. The conference was very successful; of 73 students surveyed, 100% strongly agreed or agreed they will be able to apply what they learned in the future, and that it added value to their overall experience as a student at Humber. Aisling was accompanied by two students who participated in the Institute, who spoke about how valuable it was to learn about their strengths, network with other student leaders, and become inspired to get involved in community activities.

Council News

• We welcomed many new members to Council and thanked those who have come to the end of their terms. Your departments will be letting you know who your new representatives are.
• Council held elections for Chair and Vice Chair. The new Chair is Henri Berubé, and the Vice Chair is Nancey Adamson. We thanked the outgoing Chair, Suzanne Iskander, and Vice Chair, Rhonda Harrison.
• Our annual retreat was held on Monday, June 11 at the Lakeshore campus. The topic was student mental health, and the workshop, delivered by Jen McMillen and Dr. Rummy Gill, was entitled “Blind Side: Coping with Life’s Challenges”. We learned how to distinguish between behaviour problems and mental health problems in the classroom, and we worked through responses to various scenarios that could potentially arise among our students.
• This year, the annual ACCC (Association of Canadian Community Colleges) conference was held in Halifax, and Humber sent four delegates: Nancey Adamson, Rhonda Harrison, Kalene Morgan, and Kirk Rintoul. They spoke enthusiastically about the sessions they attended, on topics such as aboriginal issues, industry and community partnerships, and education and technology. The conference also provided valuable opportunity for networking; our delegates remarked on the fact that institutions of different sizes and demographics, and across the entire country, are facing many of the same challenges.