Headlines for Aug. 24, 2020
Huffington Post
Universities ‘Fearfully’ Approach Semester Of Budget Cuts, Lost Revenue
Post-secondary institutions in Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba faced drastic cuts and funding changes even before the pandemic.
CBC
‘People are going to be left in a pinch’: Students, employment recruiters get ready for end of CERB
Ottawa’s plan to wind down its COVID-19 emergency response benefit program by the end of September and move most recipients over to Employment Insurance (EI) has some students worried they’ll be left in the lurch.
Global News
Alberta government, U of A facing lawsuit over Campus Saint-Jean funding
The French Canadian Association of Alberta (ACFA) is taking the Alberta government and University of Alberta to court over funding of Campus Saint-Jean.
Global News
There’s another debt-deferral cliff looming this fall
Canada is heading towards another debt-deferral precipice this fall, when thousands of borrowers who had student-loan obligations delayed during the summer of COVID-19 must resume making payments — even if their job prospects have taken a hit.
Montreal Gazette
Quebec pledges $375 million to help keep post-secondary students in school
The Legault government on Thursday pledged $375 million in an effort to allow post-secondary students to continue their studies through the pandemic rather than drop out.
The Toronto Star
Colleges and universities should give students a COVID break on tuition
If you order steak and they bring you a hamburger, shouldn’t you get a break on the price?
Huffington Post
Online Learning Can Help Students. But Are Profs Prepared For It?
From behind a computer screen, Zachary Lacroix watches his teaching assistant point to body parts on a photo of a cadaver.
Global News
Post-secondary students frustrated by tuition fees
President of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance Julia Pereira talks about post-secondary students’ frustration regarding the increase of online tuition fees this fall and the fight to alleviate the fees.
The Globe and Mail
Some courses simply can’t be taught online, say educators
Students headed back to college and university already know they’ll be spending most of their time online because of COVID-19.
The Globe and Mail
Student athletes may face challenges as schools cancel team sports, experts warn
As she prepares to start her first year of studies at the University of Regina next month, Ellie Kozan is doing her best to accept the fact that she won’t get to compete in any cross-country running events for the school.
CBC
How some universities are doing frosh week amid a global pandemic
Frosh week is traditionally a time for thousands of first-year students heading to Canadian universities and colleges to settle in, make connections and get to know their campus, but they will be getting a much different experience this fall.
The Globe and Mail
As first female chair of neurosurgery, Gelareh Zadeh will steer training of the next generation of neurosurgeons
Gelareh Zadeh speaks about the first time she observed a brain operation the same way one might describe discovering a precious jewel.
National Post
Hammered by COVID-19, Kingston pins hopes of recovery on returning students
Two weeks after much of Ontario reopened, Aba Mortley was optimistic that her business would recover despite the financial strain caused by the global pandemic.
CBC
U of Manitoba law dean who left under mysterious circumstances gets new gig at U.K. law school
The dean who left the University of Manitoba’s faculty of law in May suddenly and without public explanation is now running a top-ranking law school in the United Kingdom, the CBC has learned.
CBC
Flow of new international students at Western University drops by almost a third in two years
Data obtained by CBC News through a freedom of information request suggests Western University has seen a 29 per cent drop in the number of first-year foreign students attending, from 1,143 in 2018, to 816 in 2020.
CTV News
UOttawa expects 5,000 students to take classes with in-person component this fall
The University of Ottawa expects about 5,000 students on campus for in-person classes this fall due to COVID-19.
CBC
No roommates, no big parties: Campus life to look very different this fall
Ottawa’s two largest universities have reduced the occupancy of their student residences and will be introducing a number of day-to-day changes as students return amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Global News
Trent University providing more than 500 free laptop computers for students’ online learning
Trent University is providing more than 500 students with laptop computers to assist them with remote learning for the upcoming school year amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The London Free Press
Western University to launch a mobile COVID-19 testing unit on campus this fall
Western University will be launching a mobile COVID-19 testing unit on campus this fall, even as it moves many courses online to reduce potential transmission risk.
CBC
STU offers online courses to Grade 12 students in Maritimes
St. Thomas University has developed a new program that will allow high school students across the Maritimes to take part in university classes for credit.
Global News
Queen’s University enacts a range of measures to keep staff & students safe when they return to residence
No visitors, single room occupancy part of the steps taken by Queen’s University to make residences safe on campus.
CBC
Large classes may mean more COVID-19 cases, UW study warns
A new study from the University of Waterloo suggests larger class sizes leads to more COVID-19 cases.
The Kingston Whig Standard
Students residing off-campus face precautions
Two weeks ahead of the fall term, Queen’s University announced a campaign to keep students, campus, and Kingston safe from COVID-19.
The Telegram
Acadia University ‘fully supportive’ of new COVID-19 student testing measures
Acadia University’s president and vice-chancellor Dr. Peter Ricketts says they are “fully supportive” of the provincial government’s newly announced measures for student COVID-19 testing.
VOCM
MUN Preparing for New Semester in COVID-19 World
University students at Memorial will be resuming studies online this semester even as students in the K-12 system are preparing to go back to class.
CBC
Mount Allison alumni offer support to isolating students
Lynn Ross remembers feeling a strong sense of community at the start of her second year at Mount Allison University, moving into a house where fellow students were always around.
CBC
Despite frosh moving online, unsanctioned student parties expected in Montreal
Lynn Ross remembers feeling a strong sense of community at the start of her second year at Mount The beginning of September usually brings hordes of fresh-faced university students on the streets of Montreal, roaming in groups and revelling in organized back-to-school festivities, commonly known as frosh.
Regina Leader Post
URSU calling for permanent resident status for international students
Under sunny skies, eight people gathered holding signs outside of Michael Kram’s office, asking that the federal government consider the plight of international students during the pandemic.
Montreal Gazette
Introduction to chemistry takes students to the kitchen sink
Christopher Spencer was looking forward to returning to full-time studies at Concordia University after several years of working in the restaurant industry following CEGEP.
Halifax Today
University and college students still unsure what semester will look like
While the province announced a testing strategy for all post-secondary students entering Nova Scotia, students are still unsure about what the upcoming term will look like.
CBC
MUN’s libraries could open this fall while most classes remain online
Memorial University’s president Vianne Timmons says campus libraries could open up this fall, despite classes remaining online until at least the winter semester.
CBC
Local campuses prepare for virtual semester as students head back
Universities and colleges are preparing for a very different start to the fall semester this year, with many students learning online rather than in-class.
CTV News
Entrepreneurs prepare to scale up their food businesses in the COVID era
When Isabelle Lam and Jaimie Lee met while studying at McGill University’s dietetics and nutrition program in Montreal, they discovered they were both from the Toronto suburb of Markham and became fast friends.
Edmonton Journal
International student contemplates a scholar’s life in Edmonton, and back home, as university ramps up for the fall
About 9,000 international students attend the University of Alberta, making up about 23 per cent of total enrolment.
National Post
Ontario business schools foster ‘hostile environment,’ racialized students say
Business school students in Ontario are sounding the alarm about what they call outright racism from fellow students and a lack of equity and diversity training among faculty.
CBC
UBC Black Law Students’ Association offering free LSAT courses for aspiring Black law students
Dinah Holliday says she was the only Black student enrolled in first year law at the University of British Columbia last year and she’d like to see that change.
CBC
New Black and African studies course at McMaster University is stepping stone to new program
McMaster University is introducing a new course on Black, African and African Diaspora studies that is poised to be a stepping stone for a new program.
Nova Scotia Advocate
Julia M. Wright: Independence of universities doesn’t end at boardroom door
There’s been a lot of concern in recent weeks about the boards that are responsible for some decisions at Nova Scotia universities, primarily because of the abrupt end to the presidency of Dr. Aoife Mac Namara at NSCAD.
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