December Blog

Fall has been a busy time, both at UVic and in the community! Given how closely we work in so many ways, I thought I’d provide an update on a few of UVic’s numerous community-focussed activities:

·        Bear Wear – Once again, Community Relations has contributed to Vancouver Island Children’s Health Foundation’s charming Bear Wear event at the Hotel Grande Pacific. With so many appealing bears, this event is a lovely outing – it runs until January 5, 2015. You will be eligible to win the bears that appeal to you most by buying raffle tickets. The proceeds support a wide range of activities that benefit children on the Island. Further information is available at http://childrenshealthvi.org/events/bear-wear.

·        Mapping to Improve Cyclist Safety – Finding safe routes for cycling in this beautiful region will become easier as a result of the BikeMaps initiative. You are encouraged to contribute your thoughts and experiences regarding local cycling trouble spots at https://bikemaps.org/about/ . This partnered initiative is led by UVic’s Spatial Pattern Analysis and Research Lab, under the direction of Dr. Trisalyn Nelson and as it develops, will build tools to help people plan safer routes.

·        Annual Review – With so much going on, on so many fronts, UVic’s 2013-14 Annual Review offers a wonderful overview of activity on campus in the past year. You’ll find a copy at http://www.uvic.ca/annualreview/. 

·        A Report on Community-University Engagement – the Institute for Studies and Innovation in Campus Community Engagement (ISICUE for short; http://www.uvic.ca/research/centres/cue/) has also summarized a year of remarkable community activity in its 2013-2014 Annual Review, available at http://www.uvic.ca/annualreview/.

·        Advocating for the community benefits of research – UVic’s Centre for Addictions Research (CARBC) received the first-ever Leadership Award from Research Canada for its efforts to educate policy makers, the media and the public on the social and economic benefits of research. For example, CARBC’s influence on liquor laws and pricing has made an important contribution in reducing the many alcohol related crimes, hospital visits, deaths and injuries caused by alcohol each year. More information on this remarkable award is provided at http://ring.uvic.ca/news/uvic-research-centre-lauded-public-policy-impact. 

·        Campus Planning – With so much activity on campus and in our communities, it is timely to undertake an update to the University’s Campus Plan. Consultation with the many people who have an interest in campus development is a key part of this process. You’ll find ongoing updates online at http://www.uvic.ca/campusplanning/about/campus-plan-2014/index.php. 

·        Christmas Tree Sale – as you prepare for the holiday season, you may want to search for a wonderful tree at the Christmas Tree Sale, organized by UVic’s men’s and women’s cross country teams. You’ll find more information on this annual event at http://govikesgo.com/sports/2012/11/22/GEN_1122124301.aspx.

·        Ongoing Events for Community – on any given day, something of interest is taking place on campus! Bookmark UVic’s Event Calendar at http://events.uvic.ca/index.php?view=month&cview=index to track the wealth of talks, tours, performances and exhibition activities in which you can participate.

·        Ongoing News – UVic’s online Ring is regularly updated with fascinating news on the full range of UVic campus and community activities. You’ll find it at http://ring.uvic.ca/. Alumni Week - if you are one of the 32,000 UVic graduates living in the Capital Region, you'll be interested in the events and activities scheduled for Alumni Week from February 1-7, 2015. Monitor the webpage at http://www.uvic.ca/alumni/impact/home/alumni-week/index.php for further details on this engaging week.

 

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS – My colleagues in Community Relations and across the Division of External Relations wish you all the best as this year draws to a close … and look forward to all our community connections in the New Year.

 

Joy Davis, PhD Interim Director, Community Relations University of Victoria t. 250-472-5047 | f. 250-853-3942 | c. 250-216-8716 office: ASB A113 | web: uvic.ca/external/community

"Creating Vibrant Communities Together"

 

 

 

Fall 2014

As Grant Hughes has retired, I’m delighted to take on the Community Relations portfolio on an interim basis until March of 2015. I’ve worked at UVic for over thirty years. Many of these were with Continuing Studies were I developed and managed UVic’s Cultural Heritage, Intercultural Education and Aboriginal Language Revitalization programs in cooperation with colleagues across the University. More recently, I have played interim roles with the Office of the Registrar, University Art Collections and Ceremonies and Events. Working with Community Relations is a great pleasure as I am able to interact with so many of our community partners.

Our Fall term is well underway, with over 5,000 new students attending the University and a total student body of 20,183.  We’re proud of our the wide range of people who come together to study at UVic, either on-campus or in online formats. Here are some details on our student population, based on enrollment in 2013/14:

·        Students from the Victoria area                  24%
·        Students from other parts of BC                 40%
·        Students from other parts of Canada        20%
·        International students                                   17%

The sight of so many students making their way between classes, settling into the library, participating in myriad events, and enjoying these final days of a beautiful summer reminds us all of the core purpose of UVic. In many ways, September is our new year!

The University is busy on many fronts, both on campus and in the community. Here are updates on a number of initiatives:

New Transit Exchange: The Victoria Regional Transit Commission (VRTC) along with the Government of British Columbia, BC Transit and the University of Victoria officially opened a 10-bay expansion of the UVic transit exchange, adjacent to the Student Union Building, on September 4, 2014. The expanded exchange will alleviate bus capacity issues at peak times and support future service expansion.  The cost of the $1.52 million expansion was shared among the VRTC, the Government of British Columbia through BC Transit and the university. 17,000 passengers are served daily at UVic by 1,100 transit trips on 14 routes. There are now a total of 21 transit bays at the university.

United Way:  We launch our annual UVic United Way campaign on October 6, with a goal of contributing $250,000 to the Greater Victoria United Way campaign. Over the past twenty years, this annual event has  raised millions of dollars in support of United Way’s important work in this community. While a considerable portion of our annual goal is achieved through faculty and staff donations, a range of fun events including a Plasma Car Race, a Bug Push and a craft market engage members of the campus and local communities. The annual Book Sale is widely anticipated. It takes place from November 18-20 in the MacPherson Library … further details will be posted on UVic’s United Way Campaign webpages at http://www.uvic.ca/unitedway/   

Sponsorships: Community Relations is delighted to sponsor a range of community initiatives including the Symphony Splash, The Victoria Sexual Assault Centre’s ‘Walk a Mile in her Shoes’, the City of Victoria’s Canada Day celebrations, and the upcoming talk on Community Social Innovation by the Community Social Planning Council. For information on our sponsorship program, please visit our webpage at http://www.uvic.ca/external/community/index.php

 

CARSA: UVic’s Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA) has come a long way in the past year! Construction should be completed in the spring of 2015 and it will be open for student, faculty and community use in time for the 2015 Fall Term. This world-class training and learning facility at the corner of McKenzie Avenue and Garbriola Road will house Vikes athletic and recreational programs and CanAssist offices and labs that support the development of customized technologies, programs and services for people living with disabilities. You can take an online tour of this landmark building at http://www.uvic.ca/carsa/project-info/photos/index.php 

Advance Polling: The University of Victoria Student Society (UVSS) is organizing advance polling stations for the first time on campus on Thursday, November 6 in the Michel Pujol Room of the Student Union Building from noon to 4 pm. By working with Oak Bay, Saanich and the City of Victoria to establish these polling stations in an accessible location, the UVSS is encouraging student participation in the democratic process.

Public Events and Activities: A new term brings a wealth of engaging activities on campus. We welcome your participation in a wide range of events and activities offered by the following UVic units:

• University Centre Farquhar Auditorium http://www.uvic.ca/auditorium/
• Phoenix Theatre
• School of Music events
• Cinecenta Movie Theatre
• CFUV 101.9FM - UVic campus community radio
• University of Victoria Art Collections
• Legacy Maltwood at the McPherson Library
• The Legacy Art Gallery
• Vikes Athletics
• Vikes Recreation
• Finnerty Gardens http://www.uvic.ca/finnerty/

Scheduling for many events, along with public lectures offered by faculties and research centres, can be found on UVic Events Calendar.

I look forward to hearing from you as the Fall goes by if you have questions about the University and its community initiatives.

 

Joy

 

Joy Davis, PhD Interim Director, Community Relations University of Victoria t. 250-472-5047 | f. 250-853-3942 | c. 250-216-8716 office: ASB A113 | web: uvic.ca/external/community

"Creating Vibrant Communities Together"

Summer 2014

New Chancellor for 2015

Ms. Shelagh Rogers has been named the University of Victoria’s 11th Chancellor. She will assume office for a three-year term in January 2015, when our current Chancellor Murray Farmer finishes his second three-year term.

Shelagh shares the values that characterize our university and will therefore be an outstanding ambassador for UVic. She is well known as a popular national radio host, long-time advocate for adult literacy and mental health awareness and an acknowledged “voice” of the country. She was inducted as an Honorary Witness for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in June 2011. She is deeply connected with communities across Canada and has a great ability to reach into people’s everyday lives. http://communications.uvic.ca/releases/release.php?display=release&id=1423.

 

Honorary Degrees for Community Members

Former Royal BC Museum chief executive officer Pauline Rafferty and newspaper publisher David Black received honorary degrees as part of the spring convocation ceremonies.  In all, nine ceremonies were held to confer degrees, diplomas or certificates upon 3,554 graduating students.

Rafferty was appointed chief executive officer in 2001 (a post she held until retiring in 2012) and oversaw the RBCM’s transition from a government agency to a Crown corporation. The new structure provided flexibility to stage major exhibits, conduct fundraising efforts, and form partnerships with leading institutions, including the British Museum. She served on the boards of several tourism, business and museum organizations. She also aided the UVic Division of Continuing Studies in developing its cultural sector leadership program.
 
Black is the owner of Black Press, which is the largest private newspaper publisher in the country with more than 170 papers in Canada and the US and employing more than 3,000 staff.  While his newspaper interests thrive, Black has turned his attention to Kitimat Clean, an oil and gas refinery that he proposes will eliminate the need to ship unprocessed oil from the BC coast. Black chaired the bid committee brought the 1994 Commonwealth Games to Victoria. As a philanthropist, he contributed $500,000 to the BC Cancer Foundation’s Inspire the World capital campaign. He also established the Black Press Scholarships, providing $5,000 to 37 students entering UVic’s Gustavson School of Business. http://www.uvic.ca/ceremonies/convocation/honoraries/index.php

New Transit Exchange

Construction has begun on a new transit exchange that will centralize and add to the present capacity for BC Transit buses.  The exchange, on the north side of the Student Union Building, will alleviate bus capacity issues at peak times and support future service expansions.  Expected completion is September 2014.

See: http://www.uvic.ca/campusplanning/home/news/current/news-item3.php

 

For a calendar of other UVic events see http://events.uvic.ca

May 2014 Update

Community-University Engagement Conference is open to community registration

The Community-University Engagement Conference is coming May 20 to May 22. Join us for three exciting days of keynote presentations, workshops, teaching circles, poster sessions, field trips, networking receptions and a gala evening celebration. http://www.uvic.ca/cuvic2014/

 

Michael J. Prince receives 2014 CUFA-BC Award

Dr. Michael J. Prince, UVic’s inaugural Lansdowne Professor of Social Policy in the Faculty of Human and Social Development, was named Academic of the Year by the Confederation of University Faculty Associations of BC. He is an expert in federal-provincial relations, disability issues, seniors’ benefits, social discrimination, income security, poverty and housing. http://communications.uvic.ca/releases/release.php?display=release&id=1417
 

BC coast about to become the “smartest” on the planet

Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) is partnering with Western Economic Diversification Canada and IBM on a three-year multimillion dollar project known as Smart Oceans BC, which will develop and install a series of small-scale underwater observatories and high-frequency radar along the BC coast to monitor ocean conditions, help predict tsunamis and earthquakes, and provide science-based information for response to offshore accidents and natural disasters. ONC is a University of Victoria initiative that operates the world’s most advanced cabled subsea observatories—VENUS and NEPTUNE—for the advancement of science and the benefit of Canada.  http://www.oceannetworks.ca/

 

High School Graduations- congratulations!

Eleven graduation ceremonies from local high schools will be held at the University Centre in May and June. Congratulations to everyone on your important accomplishments!

  

Actor-comedian Martin Short comes to UVic, June 5th

Martin Short began his theatrical career in the Toronto production of Godspell. He went on to appear on Broadway, the SCTV Comedy Network, NBC’s Saturday Night Live and the syndicated talk show, The Martin Short Show.

 

In 2001, he co-wrote, produced and starred as star-interviewer extraordinaire “Jiminy Glick” in the Emmy-nominated Primetime Glick. Short’s film career includes starring roles in Three Amigos, Innerspace, Father of the Bride, Mars Attacks! and Jiminy Glick in La La Wood. He was awarded The Order of Canada in 1994 for his contribution to Canadian culture and was inducted into the Canadian Walk of Fame in 2000.

 

Short will bring to life some of his most beloved characters when he’ll be appearing for one night only at the University Centre Farquhar Auditorium.

When: June 5, 2014. 7:30 p.m.

Where: UVic Farquhar Auditorium
Details at http://www.uvic.ca/auditorium/shows/index.php

 
For a calendar of other UVic events see http://events.uvic.ca

April 2014 Update

Community Impact Award

The UVic United Way Campaign team received the Community Impact Award at the Spirit Awards Ceremony on March 26. Dr. Mary Ellen Purkis chaired the campaign that raised $256,899 for the community and signed up 80 new UVic donors! The incoming 2014 UVic United Way Campaign Chair is Kane Kilby. 

Members of the UVic team received the United Way Community Impact Award

Community-University Engagement Conference is open to community registration

The Community-University Engagement Conference is coming May 20 to May 22. Join us for three exciting days of keynote presentations, workshops, teaching circles, poster sessions, field trips, networking receptions and a gala evening celebration. http://www.uvic.ca/cuvic2014/

 WITS

UVic’s Dr. Bonnie Leadbeater has received a BC Community Achievement award for her work with educators and police officers to create the anti-bullying project for schools called WITS—Walk Away, Ignore, Talk It out and Seek Help http://www.web.uvic.ca/wits/

  
Vikes major athletics awards

UVic Vikes announced its major athletics award winners on April 1st. Top honours went to fifth-year track captain Kyle Irvine, who was awarded the President's Cup. Track star Rachel Francois was named Female Athlete of the Year while fifth-year basketball All-Canadian Terrell Evans earned Male Athlete of the Year Honours. Among those recognized Tuesday evening were former coaches Jan Crook, Dr. David Docherty and Dr. Bruce Howe.

http://vikes.uvic.ca/news/2014/4/1/GEN_0401144137.aspx?path=general

 

 

New Music Performance

The New Music Performance class presents new pieces by UVic composition students written for UVic performance students as well as important works from the 20th/21st century.

 

When: Monday, April 7th. 8:00 p.m.

Where: Phillip T. Young Recital Hall, Room B125

Admission by donation.

 Masterminds free lectures for the community

The Masterminds lecture series highlights the continuing contributions of the University of Victoria’s retirees. The series is co-hosted by the UVic Retirees Association and the Centre on Aging, with the support of the University of Victoria. There is a free lecture on Wednesday evenings from April 9 to April 30, 2014.

April 9, 2014: I Did it My Way: Memoir of a Woman from Hong Kong, Dr. Fong Wong

April 16, 2014: Contributions of Mathematical Modelling to Controlling Infectious Diseases, Dr. Pauline van den Driessche

April 23, 2014: Studying Islam in the Academic Context, Dr. Andrew Rippin

April 30, 2014: Healing, Humor and High Level Wellness, Dr. Martin Collis

 

      When: 7 p.m. on the dates noted above.
      Where: UVic’s Hickman Building, Room 105

Admission is free and everyone is welcome. See http://www.coag.uvic.ca/events.htm

  

Vancouver Island Regional Science Fair
 

More than 250 students (grades 4-12) from the Island will present their Science Fair projects at an event open to the community.

When and Where: The Open house will be on April 13 from 1:00-4:30 and on April 14 from 10:00 to 12:30 on both floors of the Elliot Building. The awards ceremony will be on Monday from 1:30 to 3:00 in MacLaurin A144. See: http://web.uvic.ca/~virsf/index.php

Rolling the Weather Dice: Order out of Randomness in Weather and Climate
  

Cafe Scientifique presents Dr. Adam Monahan (School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, UVic) speaking on "Rolling the Weather Dice: Order out of Randomness in Weather and Climate".  Atmospheric variability is notoriously difficult to predict.  Because of the complexity of this variability, perspectives from probability theory provide a natural framework for understanding and predicting atmospheric changes. 

When: Monday, April 14 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM 

Where: Hermann's Jazz Club Inc 753 View St
Free registration at http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/cafe-scientifique-apr-14th-2014-tickets-11107160817

 

For a calendar of other UVic events see http://events.uvic.ca  

March 2014 Update

UVic World Ranking

The 2014 QS World University Rankings by Subject have been released and UVic is ranked among the elite top-200 institutions globally for scholarship and research in six subject areas: English language and literature, psychology, earth and marine sciences, geography, physics and astronomy, and law. See http://communications.uvic.ca/releases/tip.php?date=26022014#1546

Community Leadership

The 10th anniversary Victoria Leadership Awards were held on February 26 with two UVic winners and many UVic representatives in attendance to congratulate all nominees and recipients.  This year, Dr. Hélène Cazes and Prof. Donna Greschner received the UVic Community Leadership Award.

 

http://ring.uvic.ca/news/helene-cazes-donna-greschner-local-heroes-lauded-10th-anniversary-vlas

 

Upcoming community fundraiser for people with autism

The 3rd annual YAM Autism Magazine Autism Walk will be held on campus Sunday, April 6. Over 500 people are expected to attend to support autism services and resources in the community. See http://www.yamautismwalk.com/
 

Canada Water Week film screening and panel discussion

The UVic film, Lost Rivers, will take viewers across the globe in a hunt for the disappeared Petite Rivière St-Pierre in Montreal, Saw Mill River in New York, River Tyburn in London, England and the Bova-Celato River in Bresica, Italy. The history of lost urban rivers will be retraced by plunging into archival maps and underground with clandestine urban explorers. Following the film, the focus will be on water priorities closer to home—including green infrastructure, stormwater utilities, and collaborative restoration efforts in the Victoria region—through a moderated panel discussion with four local experts:

• Scott Murdoch, a registered landscape architect with Murdoch de Greeff Inc.;
• Ed Robertson, assistant director of Public Works for the City of Victoria;
• Nikki Curnow, coordinator of the Bowker Creek Initiative
• Kirk Stinchcombe, a sustainability specialist and advisor for UVic’s POLIS Water Sustainability Project (also the panel moderator)

When: Tuesday, March 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Room 105, Harry Hickman Building, UVic
Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

First Nations gravedigger talks about a career in dust and bones

Harold C. Joe has cared for the dead, reburying ancestors at disturbed and desecrated First Nations gravesites for more than 30 years.  Also a filmmaker, the Cowichan ancestral consultant has produced documentaries, including Wisdom of the River and Stolen Hearts. He will lead a discussion with local anthropologists—Kristina Bowie and Darcy Matthews about the ongoing disturbances and desecration of First Nations ancestral burial sites. This lecture is part of The John Albert Hall Lecture Series presented by UVic’s Centre for Studies in Religion and Society, featuring expert perspectives on the changing role of religion in contemporary society.

When: Thursday, March 13 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Where: Room C122, David Strong Building, UVic
Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

 

Nana Mouskouri will perform at UVic

 

 

Internationally acclaimed singer and humanitarian Nana Mouskouri has sold over 200 million records and is one of the best-selling and most-loved recording artists worldwide.  Her career spans over half a century.  Nana Mouskouri returns on Stage with her "Happy Birthday Tour", starting on her Birthday in Athens and will lead her once more for one year around the world.
 
When: Sunday, March 30th at 8 p.m.
Where: UVic Farquhar Auditorium
Buy Tickets Online
 
 

For a calendar of other UVic events see http://events.uvic.ca   

IdeaFest- for the community and free at UVic. March 3-8, 2014.

IdeaFest, 2014 – Ideas that can change everything

University of Victoria - March 3-8, 2014

Explore over fifty ideas worth celebrating at the University of Victoria’s 3rd annual IdeaFest.

Are you a computer nerd, music lover or crusader for social justice? This year’s festival shines a spotlight on the diverse research, creativity and passion for knowledge found in every corner of campus, with topics ranging from renewable energy technology and global peace-making to innovations in music composition and human health.

New and emerging research will be explained, debated, re-worked and brought to life in a wide range of panels, workshops, exhibits, lectures, performances, screenings and tours.

Come be inspired and engage with ideas that really can change everything.

Visit the website for festival details and the full program of events.

 

www.uvic.ca/ideafest