The University of Windsor has adopted a policy on sexual misconduct, and a new official is ready to provide support for its implementation.

Dusty Johnstone took up the position of sexual misconduct response and prevention officer on September 15. She promises to advocate for those experiencing or observing sexual misconduct, and cites three options identified in the policy.

“People can come to me to disclose an incident, simply to share their experiences,” she says. “They can report misconduct, to document an event but maintain confidentiality. Or they can file a complaint, which will trigger an investigation.”

She says her office will have no role in investigating complaints.

“It is its own arm’s length agency,” says Dr. Johnstone. “I’m there to support the person through the process and to be an advocate on their behalf.”

She also plans a continuing role in educating the campus community on the issue.

“With the Bystander Initiative and other projects here, Windsor has really set the bar in terms of education,” she says. “We are in a place now to move forward to produce a targeted institutional response to a societal problem.”

UWindsor president Alan Wildeman says he is very pleased to see Johnstone come on board to help students and the broader campus community on this important issue.

“Dr. Johnstone is well-known across campus and in the broader university sector for her work in this area,” he says. “We are exceptionally fortunate to have her available as a resource as we develop appropriate mechanisms to deal with sexual assault.”

Johnstone encourages anyone — student, staff or faculty member — to contact her at dustyj@uwindsor.ca or 519-253-3000, ext. 4550.

The production arm of the School of Dramatic Art, University Players mounts six theatre productions each year, yet some UWindsor students remain unaware of its existence, says Zack Grosh.

“Less than 10 per cent of our audience is students,” he says.

House manager for the company, the drama major has launched a promotional campaign aimed at increasing student attendance. He and fellow drama students have been out on campus: selling tickets, talking to people and offering a variety of activities aimed at boosting awareness of the theatre troupe.

Grosh says that going to a play is a good way to see rising stars. Many graduates from the drama program go on to successful careers in the field.

“This is the Canadian theatre scene that everybody strives for,” he says, “the cultural identity that we as Canadians are looking for.”

Watch for his group of actors and staff as they stage appearances at locations across campus.

The Clean House, the second play of the University Players season, opened on Friday and will run until Sunday, October 30.

For tickets and more information on upcoming events, visit the University Players Facebook page or website.

—Loren Mastracci

Open Access Week is an opportunity for researchers around the world to learn about the benefits of freely available scholarly materials, says information service librarian Dave Johnston.

“Most research has until very recently been only available to the reader through subscriptions or affiliation with an institution that pays subscription fees,” he says. “Open access changes this model — providing greater access to research results, accelerating the progress of research, making research affordable for students, and ensuring that publicly funded research is available to the public.”

Open Access scholarly literature is digital, online, free of charge, coupled with the right to use these works fully in the digital environment. During Open Access Week, October 24 to 28, advocates will share their experiences with colleagues.

“Open access makes it possible for the results of research to have the greatest possible impact,” Johnston says.

The Leddy Library is hosting several events this week in room 302, West Building. All are free and open to the University community:

• Opening up learning and teaching: Open Access, Open Educational Resources, and Open Learning, Nick Baker, 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, October 25;
• The life-changing magic of tidying up your research using Zotero, Mita Williams, noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, October 27;
• Free Your Research: Leveraging the Benefits of Open Access with Scholarship at UWindsor, Dave Johnston, noon to 1 p.m. Friday, October 28.

More information about these events is available on the library’s website.

The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences celebrated the successes of its honour students at a dinner Tuesday.

Acting dean Marcello Guarini said he was “excited” to recognize their accomplishments.

“These students are creating, discovering and leading in ways that are making a significant impact on our campus and in our community,” said Dr. Guarini. “It is rewarding to engage with students who inspire with their commitment, focus and promise.”

Students attain a cumulative average over 86 per cent after completing at least 10 courses in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences to qualify for the honour roll. A total of 139 made the grade in 2015-16.

This year’s celebration also included the last cohort of inter-faculty students, 39 of whom qualified for the honour roll with a cumulative average of 80 per cent or above.

See a photo of all the dinner’s honourees on the faculty website.