A new student workspace in the Leddy Library is the focus of the University of Windsor’s fundraising efforts on Giving Tuesday, November 28.

The UWill Discover Student Research Collaboratory is slated for the main-floor space behind the café, says university librarian Pascal Calarco.

“Solving today’s challenges requires a multidisciplinary approach. No longer can great ideas and challenges be left to the silo of a single faculty or discipline,” he says. “The Collaboratory will provide the University of Windsor’s most inquisitive minds with state-of-the-art dynamic space to share their findings and develop collaborative relationships with partners from across campus and globally.”

The area will encompass a series of small group project rooms, combined with a digital wall with teleconference capabilities for student presentations to peers and professors.

In addition to the physical resources, the library will supply staff to provide guidance regarding appropriate methodological approaches for a wide range of qualitative and quantitative research.

A donor has pledged a dollar for every $2 raised toward the project, says Susan Maxwell, managing director of the University Campaign office.

“Giving Tuesday is a global movement for making a contribution to our communities,” she says. “This generous matching pledge is an exciting opportunity to make your gift go that much further.”

Student volunteers will staff a table in the Leddy Library lobby from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, discussing the project and distributing coffee and hot chocolate in exchange for a donation and participation in this national philanthropic endeavour.

Proceeds will support construction of the Collaboratory. Read more about the UWill Discover Student Research Collaboratory on the Place of Promise website.

To make a #GivingTuesday donation to the University of Windsor, visit uwindsor.ca/donate.

An annual tradition, the holiday luncheon for UWindsor faculty and staff is scheduled for noon Wednesday, December 6, in Ambassador Auditorium, CAW Student Centre.

The event promises festive food stations, seasonal music, door prizes, and the company of friends and colleagues.

Tickets are $12 per person, including tax and a festive beverage. Each department is asked to delegate an individual to coordinate purchases. Tickets go on sale today; they are available from the Catering Services office, room 12, Vanier Hall.

Celebrants are invited to bring a donation for the student food bank.

Lancer fans can support local families in need with donations to a Holiday Clothing Drive starting at varsity home games this week.

Lancer volleyball will host the Paladins of Royal Military College Friday, November 24, at the St. Denis Centre. The women will play at 6 and the men at 8 p.m. They’ll play their final home games of 2017 on Saturday, hosting the Queen’s Gaels at the same time and place.

Women’s hockey has a two-game home stand at South Windsor Arena, facing off against the Western Mustangs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, and against the Laurier Golden Hawks at 4 p.m. Saturday.

At each of these contests, the Department of Athletics and Recreation will accept donations of children’s coats, hats, and mittens, as well as other clothing items and cash. All items must be in good condition.

Opportunities to contribute will continue next weekend as Lancer basketball returns to the St. Denis Centre. Get the details for all varsity sports action at goLancers.ca.

Anyone who makes a donation of any kind will receive a ballot for a chance to win a Lancer holiday prize pack, with a winner announced at the Lancer basketball doubleheader against Laurentian on December 2. For more information, contact the athletics department at 519-253-3000, ext. 2437.

A company that uses license plate recognition and artificial intelligence to automate paying for parking beat out 17 other student startups from across Ontario to claim the $10,000 grand prize in last week’s RBC EPIC Business Model Canvas Competition.

The competition, hosted by the Entrepreneurship Practice and Innovation Centre (EPICentre) on November 17 and 18, invites student entrepreneurs to learn about business models and demonstrate their understanding through a pitch presentation of their own entrepreneurial experiences that exhibit these concepts.

The grand prize winner, Liscena, was formed by two students at the University of Toronto. In addition to their cash prize, they receive six months of dedicated desk space at EPICentre in the Joyce Entrepreneurship Centre, consulting services from KPMG, and a berth in the national Canada Business Model Competition in Halifax.

Read more, including a list of all competing teams, on the EPICentre website.

UWindsor professor Bill Anderson is one of the featured speakers during a dinner Friday celebrating local Polish culture.

Dr. Anderson, director of the Cross-Border Institute, will join Windsor mayor Drew Dilkens and others in addressing the Polish-Canadian Business and Professional Association of Windsor at the Dom Polski Hall.

In addition to a meal and convivial conversation, the evening will feature folk dance performances and an exhibition commemorating the contributions of Polish Canadians.

The dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. November 24; Dom Polski Hall is located at 1275 Langlois Avenue.