When:
February 4, 2015
[field_department_school]
Announcements
When:
February 3, 2015
[field_department_school]
College Council Highlights: January, 2015
College Council held its first meeting of 2015 on Thursday, January 15 at the North campus. In the interest of keeping the Humber community informed about upcoming events, new initiatives, and important issues, I will be continuing to report the highlights of the monthly meetings. For more information on any topic, or to give me feedback on the reports, please feel free to contact me directly, at lisa.salem-wiseman@humber.ca.
Message from Humber’s Vice President Academic
Laurie Rancourt, Humber’s new Vice President Academic, addressed Council, beginning by commenting on how impressed she is by the many amazing things occurring at Humber. She went on to explain that one of the main priorities she will be working on over the coming months is the articulation of an Academic Plan; however, she acknowledged that the building blocks for the academic plan are in place and that the academic plan is already living and growing at Humber. In the future, as this process develops, she will provide College Council with a presentation on its progress. Vice-President Rancourt closed by commenting on the remarkable level of cross-institutional involvement and discussion that occurs at Humber and specifically at College Council.
Staff Professional Development Support and Benefits
One of the foundations for success in Humber’s Strategic Plan is to “invest in accomplished and engaged employees who are supported in delivering an exceptional student experience.” In keeping with this, Humber is committed to providing growth opportunities for all of its employees. Christy Lihou, Manager, Academic Staff Relations, provided an overview of the various forms of professional development opportunities available to full-time and part-time faculty and staff at Humber.
Depending on one’s employee status, support and assistance may include: the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP); the Employee Scholarship Fund; tuition reimbursements for dependents; tuition subsidies; sabbaticals; paid professional development days; the Teaching Effectiveness and Teaching Excellence programs offered by the Centre for Teaching and Learning; Corporate training; and Support Staff Appreciation Week (SSAW).
For more information, please visit: http://hrs.humber.ca/learning.html
Telephony Update
Ryan Burton, Director, I.T. Planning and Client Services, gave a brief introduction of the new Unified Communications system that Humber has begun to implement. In contrast with the current telephony system, which includes some components that are decades out of date, the new system incorporates many exciting new features that will change the way we communicate across the college.
These include:
- Brand new desk phones, each with colour display and a built-in directory
- The ability to access voicemail from Outlook
- The ability to use any computer as a phone
- Video calling and conferencing features
- The ability to share and collaborate on documents with callers
- The ability to record a session for later reference and to share the recording with participants.
- The ability to forward calls to a mobile device or other number
- The ability to move a call from desk phone to mobile device
- Optional headsets and Bluetooth speakers
ITS will be meeting with individual departments to ensure the unified communications system is implemented to meet specific needs. As new telephones are installed, ITS will provide early life cycle support, resources, and training.
For more information, including the orientation presentation, roll-out schedule, and reference guides, please visit: http://humber.ca/staff/its/unified-communications
In keeping with Council’s new mandate to report back to the President on key items, members of Council met in small working groups to discuss the evening’s presentations and to make notes that will be brought to the President.
The next meeting of College Council will be held on Thursday, February 12, 2015, at the North Campus.
When:
February 3, 2015
[field_department_school]
Interested in helping your students improve their grades?
If you are teaching a difficult course and are looking for a way to enrich your students’ learning, we can help! Supplemental Instruction (The PASS Program) is a new initiative being offered by the Peer Programs office and we are looking for faculty partners.
What is SI?
- A weekly peer facilitated study session for students
- Provides opportunity for students to review and enhance their learning of course material with their peers
- Systematic and disciplined approach for helping students learn material assigned by the class professor
How does it work?
If you are interested in partnering with us, we will hire, train and supervise the SI student leaders, but we will need your help and support with the following;
- Identifying former students who would be great SI leaders for your class (need to have a strong concept of course material, personable, able to relate to their peers)
- Support with identifying the best times for scheduling SI sessions for your students
- Allowing the SI leaders to attend your classes so they can keep up to date on the weekly content and plan for the study session
- Allowing the SI leader to make brief announcements to introduce themselves and provide information about SI sessions in class
- Encouraging your current students to attend SI sessions
For more information, please contact Melanie Chai at Melanie.chai@humber.ca or Karalee Dell at karalee.dell@humber.ca
When:
February 3, 2015
[field_department_school]
Humber College Schools/Departments are invited to develop and submit proposals for innovative and engaging initiatives with local community non-profit organizations
This funding opportunity supports projects delivered in the Winter and Summer semesters. In this round of funding the HCCP Fund selection panel will also consider proposals for small demonstration projects.
Projects funded through this initiative provide the opportunity for academic schools and administrative departments to further cultivate relationships with partners and stakeholders – bringing the community to Humber and taking Humber into the community in support of Humber’s new Strategic plan.
The priority of these initiatives is to enhance the lives of local children, youth, Aboriginal peoples, newcomers and other groups who would benefit from projects that enrich learning and increase exposure and access to post-secondary educational possibilities. These might include pathways into education, training and/or employment and/or build organizational capacity of community agencies who share this same focus.
Project proposals that are collaboratively developed with community partners from the initial stages of conceptualization to implementation are highly encouraged. These jointly designed and developed projects should foster community engagement, involvement and address identified community needs.
The funds are not available for events but rather substantive partnerships that engage members of the community and have a lasting impact.
Having Humber students participate in projects is welcome, as long as their involvement is an opportunity to deepen and apply theoretical knowledge but not tied to receiving grades for their role; they could, for example, be involved through a mentoring role as a volunteer or in a paid position.
Submissions due: Friday, March 13, 2015 by 5 p.m.
E-mail: lynn.vanlieshout@humber.ca to receive funding application and guidelines
E-mail: sabra.desai@humber.ca to discuss possible funding ideas, links to community partners and to refine concepts.
When:
February 3, 2015
[field_department_school]
Antonio Folino
647-521-8366
647-521-8366
When:
February 3, 2015
[field_department_school]
When:
February 3, 2015
[field_department_school]
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) hopes that all staff and students enjoyed their snow day Monday and stayed warm and safe.
The Humber ALERT system successfully sent out emergency communications to all ALERT registrants early Monday morning before the morning commute to campus started. Regular updates about the campus closure for both full-time and CE programs were made regularly throughout the day.
Don’t miss the next campus alert! Sign up at humber.bbcportal.com/
When:
January 30, 2015
[field_department_school]
On January 21 and 27, 2015, The Business School Placement Centre hosted two job search workshops and placement information sessions.
Work Placement Advisors were on hand to answer students’ questions about their work term placements and received on-the-spot feedback on their resumes and cover letter. Over 60 students enjoyed presentations on networking tips, how to nail the interview and get the job, and utilizing LinkedIn to search for placements and build networks.
When:
January 30, 2015
[field_department_school]
HUMBER INTERFAITH CALENDAR
MULTIFAITH HOLY DAYS & FESTIVALS
FEBRUARY 2015 : CALENDAR/ DESCRIPTIONS
In the spirit of diversity and inclusion, we provide the following Multifaith Holy Days & Festivals realizing that it is not exhaustive. Should you wish your faith’s days to be included, please contact the Chaplain at x 4427 or chaplain@humber.ca for due consideration.
01 Sunday
World Interfaith Harmony Week to February 07 (UN)
Proclaimed in Oct-Nov 2010 and started in Feb 2011 to promote interfaith dialogue and a culture and climate of peace.
February = Mkwa Geezis / Buxwlaks (Aboriginal)
Mkwa Geezis is the time of the Bear Moon when the Bear turns in her den to block the doorway to the winter lodge; a time of renewal and new beginnings (Ojibwe).
Buxwlaks is a season of blowing needles when the wind shakes loose the foliage of frozen evergreens and a New Year approaches (Other).
Iroquois Midwinter Ceremony / Hopi Holy Cycle (Aboriginal)
Occurs in January & February. In the Iroquois Ceremony, various communities each have 8-day celebrations with each day commemorating an event. In the Hopi Cycle, various communities each hold Buffalo dances on tribal reserves.
02 Monday
Imbolc (Wicca)
Also called Imbolg, Candlemas, Brigantia, The Feast of the Waxing Light, and Oimelc, this day celebrates the increasing strength of the God as the first and greatest gift of the Goddess and honours the Goddess as the source of fire, poetry, arts, crafts, agriculture and smithing and to reflect on the generative power of the gods for later material and spiritual harvests.
Candlemas Day (Christianity)
Marks the baby Jesus being presented in the Temple 40 days after his birth.
Groundhog Day (Canada)
A folk tradition in which, if a groundhog sees its shadow after coming out of its hole, there is to be 6 more weeks of winter.
03 Tuesday
Full Moon The moon is at its greatest visibility.
Setsubun-sai (Shinto)
A family time, also called the Bean-throwing Festival, to mark winter’s end and the beginning of spring by the ancient East Asian solar calendar known in Japan. Beans are thrown into each room of the house, and then through the outer doors, with the shout, “Devils out, Fortune in!”
04 Wednesday
Tu B'Shevat (Arbour Day) (Judaism)
The 15th of the month of Shevat celebrates Judaism’s connection with nature as the new year's day for trees and the first of the year tradition of tithing the fruit of trees. The day can involve environmental actions like tree planting plus special meals including the 7 fruits of the land from Deuteronomy 8:8 (barley, dates, figs, grapes, olives, pomegranates, wheat), each representing a spiritual idea.
07 Saturday
Mulk (Baha’i)
Mulk, meaning Dominion, is the 18th month of the Baha’i year.
14 Saturday
Valentine’s Day (Christianity-Western)
Includes various stories of martyrdom but mainly one of a priest named Valentine put to death in 269 A.D. for secretly marrying couples prior to Lupercalia, a fertility festival, against the orders of the Roman Emperor.
15 Sunday
National Flag Day (Canada)
Commemorates the Canadian flag with a red maple leaf on a white background and 2 red bars, flown since 1965.
16 Monday
Family Day (Canada)
A day marking the importance of families is recognized in some provinces, including Ontario.
Louis Riel Day (Aboriginal-Canada)
Recognizes the Metis leader who fought against the loss of Metis lands to settlers.
17 Tuesday
Mahashivratri (Hinduism)
The night before the feast, Hindus recite texts, sing and tell stories to honour Shiva, whose dynamic cosmic dance creates, preserves, destroys and recreates the world.
Shrove Tuesday (Christianity)
The day prior to Lent that focuses on one seeking forgiveness and forgiving others.
18 Wednesday
New Moon The moon is at its least visibility.
Lent to April 05 / Ash Wednesday (Christianity-Western)
A 40 day period (except Sundays) before Easter when Christians fast and sacrifice in behaviour or gifts to honour Jesus’ overcoming temptation in the wilderness. Some mark a cross on their foreheads with ashes to show sorrow and penitence.
Chinese New Year (The Year of the Sheep) to Feb 20
“Kung Hei Fat Choi” is a 3-day festival to start the Year 4713 by the lunar calendar. The Chinese decorate their homes and buy new clothes and shoes to celebrate. Some may celebrate from February 19 to 21.
22 Sunday
Great Prayer Festival (Buddhism)
Monks from Tibet gather to pray and hold philosophical debates.
23 Monday
Clean Monday / Great Lent to Apr 12(Christianity-Eastern)
The first day of the Great Fast (Great Lent) in the final 6 week period leading up to Holy Week and Pascha or Passover.
26 Thursday to March 01
Intercalary Days (Baha’i)
Resets the Baha’i calendar with the solar calendar accompanied by gift exchanges, public sharing of faith activities and celebrations.
When:
January 30, 2015
[field_department_school]
Hello Humber Staff & Faculty!
As you may already know, a few years ago we launched the First Year Experience (FYE) program here at Humber College, both at the Lakeshore and North Campuses!
An exciting new aspect of the program are the FYE Learning Communities! How it works is, students are placed in a small group that is made up of other first-year students. They will have the opportunity to attend weekly interactive sessions that are developed and facilitated by upper year Students Leaders, and will run over the course of the next 6 weeks. These sessions are tailored to meet students’ needs and interests, and have been designed to help first-years develop relevant knowledge and skills that will support their success here at Humber College!
In order to better promote the FYE Learning Communities to first-year Humber students, we were hoping to increase faculty awareness about what have to offer. If you would be willing to let an FYE representative come in and speak to your first-year class for no more than 5 minutes, please send me an email with your contact information, and the time, date, and location of your class.
Attached you will find the FYE Learning Community promotional poster and schedule, please feel free to share this with your networks!
If you would like more information about FYE and/or the FYE Learning Communities, please feel free to get in touch!
Nikki Tomasi
Assistant Coordinator, First Year Experience
Student Success and Engagement
Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
(416) 675-6622 ext. 3295
nikki.tomasi@humber.ca
humber.ca/first-year-experience
