The University has launched a new Whistleblower Safe Disclosure hotline for faculty and staff to report concerns about suspected misconduct. The new hotline reporting program routes concerns directly to an independent third-party service provider.

The University has partnered with Grant Thornton to deliver the Grant Thornton CARE program, a confidential, anonymous third-party service which provides a secure channel for employees to make a report about suspected improper activity through any of the following methods:

• Phone – by calling 1-800-484-CARE (2273)
• Online – by submitting a report at https://www.grantthorntoncare.ca
• E-mail – by sending an email to usecare@grantthornton.ca
• Mail – by sending a letter to the CARE post office box

The hotline is an element of the Board-approved Whistleblower Safe Disclosure Policy and Procedures which supports the University’s commitment to operating with integrity and accountability. It creates a safe mechanism, free of fear of reprisal, for employees who want to disclose information about suspected improper activity, such as a serious breach of University policy, a violation of legal or regulatory requirements, financial or research misconduct, conflicts of interest, or other similar situations.

As the program is rolled out, departments across campus will receive information packages with posters and wallet cards for distribution. The University will also be offering training and information sessions through the Human Resources’ Professional Development Program.

For further information on the program, contact Kim Lassaline at kimlass@uwindsor.ca.

As the Campus Campaign for United Way met with supporters in the student centre Friday to announce the progress of its fundraising, UWindsor president Robert Gordon said it was close to meeting its $125,000 goal.

That prediction came true within a few hours, as additional pledges came online to push the total over $126,600.

Although the formal campaign period is over, it’s never too late to donate to the charity. University employees received a personalized giving link in their email inboxes on March 27; anyone can contribute directly through the United Way website.

Friday’s event also saw draws for several prizes: Stephanie Parent and Danielle Stiller each won an extra vacation day; Renée Bombardier won an eight-month campus parking pass; Katherine Simon won AirPods; Sheri Lowrie won a swag prize package; and Jeffrey Rau won sessions of personal training at the Toldo Lancer Centre.

Learn more about the charity’s cradle-to-career strategy to eliminate poverty in Windsor-Essex on the Campus Campaign for United Way website.

On Saturday, April 15, the Alumni Association is partnering with Essex Region Conservation and Detroit River Canadian Cleanup to help remove litter from a section of waterfront in Sandwich.

Volunteers will meet at Assumption Park at 10 a.m. before starting the route along the Detroit River towards Queen's Dock Park to drop off collected litter. The approximately 1.75 km route will include cleanups at four properties along the waterfront. All cleanup materials will be provided.

Individuals interested in volunteering are asked to complete the online registration form.

All are welcome to attend the eighth annual Computer Science Demo Day on Thursday, April 6. Head downtown Windsor and check out the innovative pitches by computer science students as they showcase their latest programming projects.

The event takes place between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the 300 Ouellette Ave. building which houses the Master of Applied Computing (MAC) program.

“Demo Day provides a unique opportunity to the School of Computer Science students to showcase what they are able to achieve in a few months’ period and to encourage other students and also allows them to connect to local tech industry,” says Imran Ahmad, acting director of the School of Computer Science.

CS Demo Day features more than 20 presentations, including research and real-time projects from current undergraduate and graduate students. The School of Computer Science offers everyone a chance to network with students, faculty, and industry partners.

Refreshments will be served. Register now.

When leaders know where they want to go, the forces of support below do everything they possibly can to help the leader succeed. When the leader doesn’t know where they want to go, then they scatter about doing all kinds of things and there is chaos.

That is just one of the lessons John Manley had drawn from his years in government and industry. The former deputy prime minister of Canada shared his insights with UWindsor chancellor Mary Jo Haddad in a conversation March 23 entitled “Engaged Citizens for a Better Canada.”

The event was part of the Chancellor’s Leadership Series highlighting observations on innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and diversity from top business leaders across Canada, with the goal of helping young Canadians reach their full potential.

Manley joined Bennett Jones LLP as senior business adviser in September 2019. He served as MP for Ottawa South from 1988 to 2004. From 1993 to 2003, he was a minister in the governments of prime minister Jean Chrétien, serving in the portfolios of industry, foreign affairs, and finance, in addition to being deputy prime minister. Find a more detailed biography on the series website.

A video recording of the March 22 presentation is available for watching on the UWindsor YouTube channel.

The Department of Athletics and Recreational Services honoured the hard work and dedication of the Lancers student staff Friday at its annual Blue & Gold luncheon.

The event highlighted all areas within the department, including the Toldo Lancer Centre, Lancer Recreation, aquatics, student managers and therapists, and varsity home event staff.

Megan Lozinski, the Rick Mallat ARS Student Employee of the Year, and Lauryn Rogers, recipient of the Sandra Ondracka Leadership Award, were among the honourees in 16 categories. Find a full list at goLancers.ca.

The last full day to access the Blackboard learning management system is April 27, and the LMS team reminds instructors who used Blackboard during the Winter semester to take appropriate action.

Download and save any desired student work from Winter semester

Since no student work has been migrated from Blackboard to Brightspace, download and save any student material — such as assessment exemplars, documents to support reference letters, discussions, or spreadsheet of grades — that you want to access in the future.

Instructions can be found for bulk downloading assignments, discussions, and grades on the Instructors FAQ page. All course materials will be archived by Information Technology Services but will be difficult to access.

Other considerations for the Blackboard retirement

Access to Blackboard will be discontinued after April 27, so it is important to take the necessary steps to prepare for this transition. For guidance, visit the Blackboard Retirement Preparation webpage.

Email questions to brightspace@uwindsor.ca.

Looking to test your knowledge on cancer facts?

Hosted by WE-Spark Health Institute and the Canadian Cancer Society UWindsor Research Information Outreach (RIOT) Team, “Don’t Be Fooled” is an opportunity to learn important facts in a fun atmosphere in teams of four to six people — and win prizes — Thursday at Rock Bottom Bar & Grill. Click here to register.

The April 6 event runs 6 to 8 p.m., is open to all ages, and is free, although donations will be accepted for the WE-Spark grants program. Rock Bottom is located at 3236 Sandwich St.

The WE-Spark After Dark monthly networking event will be combined with this special Don’t be Fooled event for April, and will resume on its usual basis May 4.