UWindsor chancellor Mary Jo Haddad (CM, LLD, MHSc, BScN), invites students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members to join in the Live Virtual Chancellor’s Leadership Series: Resilience in Times of Change and Uncertainty on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the way people in our community and around the world live, learn, and work. During these times of change, it is not uncommon to feel additional stress, anxiety and pressure.

This live event will highlight mental health strategies in response to these challenging times and will include an opportunity for participants to engage in the conversation.

Dr. Haddad will chair a discussion with panelists Catherine Zahn, president and CEO of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and Katherine Hay, president and CEO of Kids Help Phone (pictured at left).

Running on the MS Teams videoconference platform, the event will offer the audience a chance to engage with the panel. Register here for the link to participate and to submit a question for consideration.

When MHK student Fallon Mitchell volunteered at the Connections Early Years Family Centre and Aboriginal Child Resource Centre, she noticed one shortcoming: it was difficult for children requiring assistance with mobility to gain access to its new outdoor learning space, the “Good Friends Garden.”

Mitchell won a federal grant to fund the installation of a ramp enabling any person using a wheelchair, stroller, or another mobility aid, to enjoy the garden and the activities held there.

“Working on this project has really encouraged me to look at things differently and I’m much more aware of accessibility factors now when I’m walking around in public places,” she says. “It has also given me an opportunity to learn about the research funding process and given me the opportunity to explore new career paths.”

The centre, located on Giles Boulevard, provides support, resources, and individualized services to promote the early learning and healthy development of children up to six years old and their families.

Board members and faculty supervisors Paula van Wyk, Patti Millar, Krista Loughead, and Pat McTaggart guided Mitchell through the process of applying for a grant from the Enabling Accessibility Fund, a federal program aimed at making communities and workplaces more accessible to people with disabilities.

“We’re currently in the middle of a multi-year Building UP! fundraising campaign at Connections, aimed at enhancing the accessibility of our facility and working towards alignment with AODA standards,” Dr. Millar noted. “We encourage our students to build community relationships and have an impact here in Windsor-Essex, and Fallon’s efforts on this project did just that. She pushed this project forward and it’s something that we can all be really proud of.”

Dr. van Wyk is excited about the opportunities presented for students.

“Projects like these open opportunities to our students to apply the knowledge and skills they have been learning in the classroom and through their research, they are positively impacting our communities well beyond their academic pursuits,” she said.

—Martin Vaughan

Student ambassadors and enrolment management staff are heading up a team of more than 120 representatives who will welcome guests to the first UWindsor Virtual Open Day on Saturday, Oct. 3.

Organizers note that registration has already topped 1,200 prospective students with more expected to sign on before the event, which will take place entirely online.

In addition to some 80 presentations on everything from academic programs to financial aid, the day will feature an information fair with more than 50 virtual booths representing campus services and areas of study.

Participating earns visitors points to win prizes, with categories for engagement, an online scavenger hunt, and posting a photo on social media.

The Lancer Lounge offers a chance to chat with current students and recruitment staff as well as interactive elements:

• instruction in the Japanese paper-folding art origami at 11:30 a.m.
• demonstration of a Tik Tok dance craze at noon
• the challenge of a UWindsor trivia quiz at 1 p.m.
• introduction of the student ambassador team in a lightning round at 2 p.m.

The schedule of events and additional details are available, along with registration forms, on the Virtual Open Day website. Guests are still encouraged to register.

Social distancing measures put in place by the province to combat the spread of COVID-19 have forced the University to cancel this year’s Faculty and Staff Retirement Dinner, says special events manager Mary-Ann Rennie.

“During normal times, we would have held the event on Nov. 5, honouring 42 campus colleagues who have retired or soon will be retiring from the University of Windsor,” she says. “Unfortunately, this year is anything but normal, and due to COVID-19, we have been forced to cancel this year’s dinner to follow the guidelines limiting the size of these types of events.”

She is planning to resume the annual tradition next year.

“With that in mind, 2020 retirees will be invited to the 2021 event so that we can properly recognize and honour them for their tremendous contributions that they have made to the University of Windsor over the years,” Rennie says.

This year’s class of retirees includes:

• Vladimir Bajic, Economics
• Connie Beaudoin, Law Library
• Gloria Bortolin, Schulich School of Medicine
• John Branov, Facility Services - Building Maintenance
• David Butcher, Finance
• Mary Cole, Faculty of Nursing
• Deborah Dayus, Faculty of Nursing
• Annette Dufresne, Psychology
• Kathryn Edmunds, Faculty of Nursing
• Bruce Elman, Faculty of Law
• Anne Forrest, Women’s Studies
• Margaret Glos, Finance - Purchasing Services
• Marcia Gragg, Psychology
• Anita Hurwitz, English Language, Literature and Creative Writing
• Cathie Janisse, Campus Services
• Karl Jirgens, English Language, Literature and Creative Writing
• Patricia Jolie, Student Counselling Centre
• Robert Kent, School of Computer Science
• Heather Krohn, Faculty of Nursing
• Cathy Ladouceur, Campus Bookstore
• Gary Lariviere, Facility Services - Maintenance Services
• Margaret Mayer, School of the Environment
• Laurie McGhee, CAW Student Centre
• Josette Reaume, Communication, Media and Film
• Glenn Rideout, Faculty of Education
• Joanne Sabourin, Residence Services
• Geraldine Salinitri, Faculty of Education
• Alison Samson, Faculty of Graduate Studies
• John Simard, School of Creative Arts
• Yvonne Sinasac, Office of Student Experience
• Jang Singh, Odette School of Business
• Arpa Smith, Information Technology Services - Client Support and Services
• Jerry Sokolowski, Mechanical, Automotive & Materials Engineering
• Debbie Squillaro, Faculty of Law
• Elizabeth Starr, Faculty of Education
• Gregory Stathis, Facility Services - Maintenance Services
• Gayle Tait, Faculty of Education
• Barbara Tattersall, Mechanical, Automotive and Materials Engineering
• Cheryl Thomas, Psychology
• Cheryl Tir, Campus Bookstore
• Alan Trenhaile, School of the Environment
• James Winter, Communication, Media and Film

Members of the University of Windsor Alumni Association joined officials from the Essex Region Conservation Foundation to dedicate a new outdoor classroom Wednesday at the Holiday Beach Conservation Area.

The association donated $50,000 toward the creation of the innovative learning space, which will host visiting schoolchildren as well as public workshops and field research by UWindsor ornithology students.

Located along the Lake Erie shore south of Amherstburg, Holiday Beach has been named one of the top hawk-watching sites in North America by Audubon Magazine.

Alumni association president Beth Ann Prince said the new facility will help connect young people to nature and foster their interest in science.

“We are happy to play a role in creating this important outdoor space, especially during a time when students of all ages are learning in unprecedented and unique ways,” she said. “Educational spaces like this one will benefit current and future University of Windsor alumni, their families, and the community.”

Claire Wales, vice-president of the Essex Region Conservation Foundation, said that spending time outdoors is good for children and the adults they grow into.

“Introducing kids to nature has numerous health benefits, including increased physical activity, healthier body weight, better concentration, … and improved energy,” said Wales. “As well, time spent in nature during childhood is one of the biggest factors that contribute to environmental stewardship in adulthood.”

A food pantry run by the University of Windsor Students’ Alliance extended its operations through the summer to help relieve the choice of paying for tuition, books, or food.

When COVID-19 hit, some students lost their jobs and found themselves in positions of financial hardship. The food remained open three days a week for four hours per day through the summer months under the direction of student employees Taha Ismail and Sahibjot Grewal. A total of 600 individuals used the service, with an average of 60 users per week.

Said one user: “I really appreciate UWSA food pantry’s help as I have been able to get food which can be easily cooked. At the moment, I don’t really have money to spend on food because my housing costs have been extended, so this service is very helpful.”

The pantry is supported by donors including the University of Windsor Office of Student Experience, the University of Windsor Alumni Association, Mare Nostrum restaurant, Peace Lutheran Church, and the Consulate General of India. Donations are always welcome, either in the form of non-perishable goods or as cash donations.

It is located in Room 233 of the Student Centre, and students can access the service by calling 519 253-3000, ext. 7024, or by email at foodpantry@uwindsor.ca.

—Bridget Heuvel

Campus partners are working to maintain a robust set of Winter 2021 Knowledge Base Articles (KBAs).

The team will continue to compile a weekly digest of the most-referenced KBAs to streamline student-focused questions to ask.UWindsor to support consistent communication with current and future students.

These are this week's top-five referenced KBAs:

• What happens if I cannot get a student visa prior to my planned departure to Canada?
• Future Students Update International Edition
• Do students need to attend classes at specific times?
• Will the University be offering a tuition discount?
• I am having Internet difficulties at home. Is there anywhere on campus I can study?

Find Fall 2020 KBAs by clicking here.
Find UWin Online KBA's by clicking here.

You can submit common questions to askkba@uwindsor.ca.