Dozens of student groups – from fraternities and sororities to charities, social clubs to academic associations – are building interest and membership rolls during Club Days activities in the CAW Student Centre Commons.

Organizers of the Relay for Life, a benefit for the Canadian Cancer Society, have confirmed 10 teams for the March 23 event. The group has set up a Facebook page and posted an inspirational video on YouTube, but there is no replacing the face-to-face contact that a presence during Club Days provides.

“We’re just putting it out there for people,” said Ramzi Nassereddine. “We want as much participation as possible.”

Club Day displays continue in the CAW Student Centre today. Watch a video produced by George Kalivas of the public affairs office:

The Psychological Services & Research Centre is offering group therapy open to students who are experiencing mental distress -- or those taking a preventative approach to their mental health.

Facilitated by Heather Finnegan and Amanda Robinson, supervised by psychologist Annette Dufresne, the Student Wellness Information Meetings (SWIM) will convene Thursdays at 5 p.m. in room 267, Dillon Hall:

• January 26, Fostering Personal Strength and Overcoming Obstacles
• February 2, Building Healthy Coping Skills
• February 9, Substance Use and You: Finding a Balance
• February 16, Coping with Self-Harm and Suicidal Thoughts
• March 1, Managing Emotions
• March 8, Building Healthy Relationships
• March 15, Changing Thoughts and Behaviours
• March 22, Open Workshop
• March 29, Open Workshop
• April 5, Self-Care and Maintenance

For more information or to register, call the Psychological Services & Research Centre at 519-973-7012 or e-mail beautifulmindsgroup@gmail.com.

Kevin Hanchard, an actor with the Shaw Festival, will give a short talk entitled “Faith, Transgression, Identity and Performance: A Canadian Actor’s Journey,” on Friday, January 27, in the Jackman Dramatic Art Centre.

Hanchard played the lead in the recent Shaw production of Topdog/Underdog, and he is a featured performer in the festival’s 2012 shows The Millionairess and His Girl Friday. He received a Dora nomination for his performance in Miss Julie: Freedom Summer at the Canadian Stage Company.

His appearance is set for 1 p.m. in the Studio Theatre and will include a question-and-answer session. Admission is free and open to the campus community, but space is limited, so organizers encourage early arrival to secure a seat.

Cinema Politica will host a series of film screenings this semester, presenting works that feature under-represented characters and tell stories which challenge conventional fiction and documentary narratives.

Admission is by donation; all screenings take place at 7 p.m. Thursdays in room 108, Odette Building.

The January 26 screening is If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front. It tells the remarkable story of the rise and fall of a cell, by focusing on the transformation and radicalization of one of its members. Part coming-of-age tale, part cops-and-robbers thrilller, the film interweaves a verite chronicle of one member as he faces life in prison with a dramatic recounting of the events that led to his involvement with the group. Along the way it asks hard questions about environmentalism, activism, and the way we define terrorism.

The rest of the semester promises:

• February 2 – You Never Bike Alone
• February 16 – Seeking the Current
• March 1 – Tales from the G20
• March 15 – Dive! Living Off of America’s Waste
• March 29 – End:Civ - Resist or Die
• April 5 – Force of Nature
• April 19 – Better This World

Through its history, there has been a suspicion of rhetoric’s role in building arguments, says philosophy professor Christopher Tindale – a belief it has greater capacity to exploit than to edify. It’s a suspicion he does not share.

“Rhetoric operates as a positive force throughout society, transforming experience in all walks of life,” Dr. Tindale says. “The tools rhetoric brings to the practice and understanding of argumentation are powerful and necessary.”

He will explore some of the ideas that have informed his work in rhetorical argumentation in his free public lecture “Rhetoric’s Presence,” Wednesday, January 25, at 3:30 p.m. in Assumption University’s Freed-Orman Centre.

The event is presented by the Humanities Research Group as part of its Martin Wesley Lecture Series, and will include a reception following the formal program.

The International Wednesdays documentary film series presents a free screening of Up the Yangtze today at noon in the International Student Centre.

The film traces the dramatic story of a river cruise, set against the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric project.

The International Student Centre is located on the second floor of Laurier Hall.

Conference and Accommodation Services invites applications for students interested in seasonal work. Full- and part-time opportunities are available from the end of April through the end of August. 

The department operates the residence buildings and campus facilities as a hotel and convention centre during the summer months. It is seeking several guest service clerks to work in its multi-faceted department, and requires candidates with exceptional customer service skills and experience.

A broad-based knowledge of campus buildings, services, and cash-handling experience is required; familiarity with hotel and restaurant industries would be an asset.

To apply, prepare a cover letter explaining why you would be an asset to the team and send it along with your resume to department head Paul Louviere at louviere@uwindsor.ca by February 8.

All applications are welcome; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.