Rain or shine, the entire campus community is invited to attend the annual Campus Community Barbecue, Thursday, September 15—from noon to 1:30 p.m. or while supplies last—on Turtle Island Walk, the pedestrian-friendly corridor along the former Sunset Avenue.

The menu includes halal beef or chicken hotdogs, veggie burgers, potato chips, bottled water and fresh apples, served by campus celebrities. Live entertainment will be provided by Vice Aerial and the Lancer band.

The free event is hosted by the Office of the President with support from the Alumni Association and Food and Catering Services.

UWindsor students will take to the streets of the city on Friday, September 16, for a project volunteering for local service agencies ranging from the Unemployed Help Centre to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

“The main focus of the day is actual hands-on work with area organizations,” says coordinator Chrisandra Skipper. “Each student will be assigned one location and the type of work will vary from location to location.”

The “Serve the Streets” event will also include time for volunteers to meet new students and learn about the importance of serving the community. Offered through Assumption University’s Campus Ministry, it is open to students of all faiths and will run from 12:30 to 6 p.m.

Participants will receive a free pizza dinner. Advance registration is required; visit www.uwindsor.ca/campusministry.

A group hoping to create a social space for critical thinking and literature review will hold its first meeting today—Tuesday, September 13—in the Leddy Library.

While the main objective is to create a greater sense of community on campus, says organizer Jennie Fallis, a co-op librarian, the Fall 2016 Leddy Library Reading Challenge will also provide an incentive for readers, in the form of prizes, events and activities.

“Each month will have a specific theme and we’ll list one or two books directly related to the challenge,” she says. “Participants can earn points by reading and attending meetings.”

The inaugural meeting, open to students, faculty and staff, is set for 3 p.m. in the comfortable seating area on the first floor of the Leddy’s west building. Find more information, including the meeting schedule and list of suggested titles, on the group’s website.

Do you know the risk factors and warning signs of someone with suicidal thoughts? Do you want to learn more about suicide prevention and how you can help?

A free webinar Wednesday, September 14, can provide answers. Led by Mohsan Beg, director of the Student Counselling Centre, it runs noon to 1 p.m. and will focus on:

• how to recognize the signs and symptoms of suicide,
• what to do if you think a loved one is contemplating suicide, and
• services available in Windsor and Essex County to turn to for assistance. 

Registration is available for individuals or groups through the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.

This is Suicide Prevention Awareness Week. Additional information and resources are available on the http://www.suicideprevention.ca website.

From student activism to politics to leadership in the charitable sector, Frances Lankin has followed one consistent principle: if you care about an issue, do something about it.

Now a senator, Lankin will speak about how engaging with the world is both a responsibility and a recipe for a rewarding life, in a free public lecture Friday, September 23.

Lankin held several cabinet portfolios in the Ontario government of Bob Rae and served as president of United Way Toronto from 2001 to 2011 before her appointment to Senate in March 2016.

Her September 23 address is set for noon in room 110 of the Pitt-Ferry Building, under the auspices of the School of Social Work. Space is limited; organizers ask those interested in attending to RSVP by e-mailing socwork@uwindsor.ca by Wednesday, September 14.

A new feature burger in the CAW Student Centre will run for two weeks starting today, says executive chef Paolo Vasapolli.

“We’ve got a handmade all-beef patty stuffed with macaroni and cheese, then grilled at our Burger Bar and topped how you like it,” Vasapoli says. “We think our clients will want to try it!”

The creation will sell for $6.99 on its own or for $9.99 in combination with fries and a fountain drink.

UWindsor continues bargaining with Unifor locals: 2458 full-time, part-time, operating engineers; and 195 Campus Community Police and Parking Services, on Monday and Tuesday, September 12 and 13.

Mediation is scheduled on Wednesday and Thursday, September 14 and 15, when a provincially-appointed mediator will attend to assist the parties in coming to an agreement prior to the strike/lockout deadline of 12:01 a.m. Friday, September 16.

Updates will be provided on the bargaining website during the course of the week.