Organizers of a service-learning opportunity for UWindsor students will hold two information sessions Friday, Sept. 20, for those at every level of study.

Alternative Spring Break will send teams to three destinations during Reading Week 2020, Feb. 15 to 23: Walpole Island, El Salvador, and Jamaica.

Friday’s sessions are at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in McPherson Lounge, Alumni Hall, and will feature a question-and-answer period as well as a chance to hear past participants discuss their experiences.

Learn more on the program website.

The campus community is invited to the 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 20, grand opening of the new Student Research Collaboratory in the Leddy Library.

The Collaboratory — funded by a donation from University of Windsor friend and supporter Mary Hatch — is intended to change the traditional use of library space into an interactive area for idea sharing and innovation. The space features a comfortable gathering area and software upgrades that have turned a digital wall into a user-friendly presentation area.

University librarian Pascal Calarco says the Collaboratory is an important step in transforming Leddy Library into a vibrant collaborative space for students, teachers, and researchers.

Faculty, staff, and students will enjoy free food, entertainment, and fellowship during the annual Campus Community Barbecue today — Thursday, Sept. 19 — on the River Commons.

The event will begin at noon and continue while supplies last; it is sponsored by the Office of the President with the support of Food and Catering Services and the University of Windsor Alumni Association.

On the menu are halal beef burgers and vegetarian Beyond Meat burgers, as well as the musical talents of Rose City Duelling Pianos.

Are you interested in research related to violence against women? The Health Research Centre for the Study of Violence Against Women was established by psychology professor Charlene Senn in April 2005 as part of an Ontario Women’s Health Career Award.

The centre acts as an intellectual home for researchers and trainees across disciplines with interests that include the causes, the prevention, and the rehabilitation of the effects of violence against women.

The centre provides a venue for:

• communication of research ideas and results,
• networking and building collaborations across disciplines and with the community, and
• mentoring of new researchers to establish their own independent research studies related to women’s health and violence against women.

Find more information, including the centre’s mission statement, currently affiliated researchers, and resources, on its website. If you are interested in attending meetings of the centre, contact psychology professors Patti Timmons Fritz at pfritz@uwindsor.ca or Sara Crann at sara.crann@uwindsor.ca as soon as possible.

Whether it’s indoors or outdoors, the first campus farmers market of the fall is set for the student centre today — Thursday, Sept. 19, says organizer Sandra Riccio-Muglia.

“We may move inside to avoid the yellow jacket wasps,” she says. “But we have a good assortment of vendors participating in our first week.”

She lists:

• fresh produce from Bouchard Farms;
• apparel from Sweetlegs;
• pierogies from Little Foot Foods;
• teas and coffees from Organo;
• personal care products from My Choice Natural;
• baked goods from Christine’s Bake Shop and Fehr’s Heritage Bakery; and
• sweet treats from Kettle Popcorn, Spoontastics, and Walkerville Candies.

The market will run from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you don’t see it on the Student Courtyard, look in the student centre Commons.

A funeral at Assumption Church will make its parking lot unavailable on the morning of Monday, Sept. 23.

The lot, located north of the student centre between the Leddy Library and the church, usually accommodates public paid parking, says parish facilities manager Kevin McQuaid.

“We know so many people rely on this lot daily, so are trying to let people know to make other arrangements that morning,” he says.

“This is the first funeral since Assumption Church re-opened after five years, so much of the current student population is not used to the lot being used from time to time for church functions exclusively.”

Monday’s service will celebrate the life of Alishia Sabrina Liolli who died in the Bahamas during hurricane Dorian.