Local stakeholders will come together this week to discuss the urban issues facing Windsor and how the city is responding to them.

The Windsor Law Centre for Cities is partnering with the Canadian Urban Institute to host “CUI x Windsor,” the latest stop in a national, virtual listening tour that aims to learn about issues facing Canadian cities to then connect the dots across the country.

“The University of Windsor is proud to join the City of Windsor and many other local stakeholders in providing support for CUI x Windsor,” says Vincent Georgie, UWindsor acting associate vice-president external. “The conversations about good city-building that will take place over the three days are important ones for our community, and will have tangible community impact as we look to an inclusive and sustainable future for our region.

“CUI brings national expertise and leadership as facilitator of the event, and the Windsor Law Centre for Cities is a natural local partner.”

The series promises to strengthen the connective tissue within and across communities from coast to coast to coast, and seeks to invigorate conversations on the issues facing all cities, including affordable housing, climate action, talent attraction and retention, and active and public transportation.

The week’s events will include three open to the public:

• “Talking about my Hometown: the Windsor Diaspora Discusses the City they Love (But Left)” moderated by Dr. Georgie on Wednesday, June 16, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
• “Is this the Mid-Size City’s Moment? A conversation with Windsor’s new CAO Jason Reynar about governance, disruption, and seizing potential” moderated by Windsor Law professor Anneke Smit on Thursday, June 17, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• “Future Windsor: Young People and their City” for Windsor youth moderated by CUI’s Lisa Cavicchia and UWindsor law student Princess Doe, Thursday, June 17, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The Windsor Law Centre for Cities supports research, teaching, and public engagement on the legal and policy tools related to municipalities and local institutions. Director Anneke Smit notes that merging from the pandemic poses varied and multi-faceted challenges for cities.

“As both a research and teaching institution, we have important partnership roles to play in preparing to face these challenges as a community,” she says. “It is exciting to see UWindsor researchers and leadership participating in many of these dialogues in the coming days.”

For more information, including a list of partnering organizations and individuals as well as online registration, visit the CUI x Windsor webpage.

Integrative biology’s Oliver Love has won the 2021 Faculty of Science Roger Thibert Teaching Excellence Award in recognition of his exceptional contributions towards engaging students and educational development.

Dr. Love came to UWindsor in 2009 and says as an instructor in biological function and as a research biologist, his goal is to inspire young scientists to discover how the amazing world that surrounds them functions.

“It feels absolutely wonderful to win this award,” he says. “We have so many fantastic teachers in science and although many of us do not expect to be noticed for the efforts we put in, it is always extremely positive to be recognized for them.”

To be effective, Love says, he relies on four primary pedagogy practices and standards that drive the teaching philosophy within his undergraduate and graduate courses.

“These approaches naturally carry over to training in research, to ensure that students get the very best in both conceptual learning and skills training,” he says.

Isabelle H. Barrette-Ng, head of the Department of Integrative Biology, says it was an honour to nominate Love because of his dedication to improving the student experience as well as positively influencing the academic careers of University of Windsor students.

“As an associate professor, as well as Canada Research Chair in Integrative Ecology, Oliver is an outstanding example of how excellence in both teaching and research synergistically strengthen each other,” says Dr. Barrette-Ng.

“Oliver has been a role model and asset for students where he shows tremendous initiative to not only teach, but to ensure that he provides opportunities for lifelong learning.”

Love will officially receive his award later, when in-person celebrations resume.

The recent discovery of 215 children’s graves in Kamloops, B.C., has prompted acting dean of law Beverly Jacobs to call for those involved to be tried at the International Criminal Court.

She published an opinion piece on the issue in the Conversation, which shares news and views from the academic and research community.

“Uncovering of the remains of children must be investigated as a crime against humanity,” writes Dr. Jacobs. “All entities involved in residential schools — including different levels and branches of the Canadian government and various denominations of churches — must be charged with genocide and tried at the International Criminal Court.”

Jacobs calls for the use of ground-penetrating radar that was used at Kamloops Indian Residential School to be used at all other former residential school sites.

“What happened to Indigenous children is genocide, and the legacy of that continues through denial and inaction,” she adds.

Her article was listed among the Academica Group’s top 10 news stories. Read the full story in the Conversation.

The finance department has launched a survey as part of a review of credit and debit payment systems in place across campus.

The review encompasses both in-person and online payments made via e-commerce processes. Co-ordinated by Chris Lanoue, it is expected to take place over the coming weeks; direct any questions or additional information to him at clanoue@uwindsor.ca.

The survey is intended to provide a better understanding of the successes and challenges with the current solution, and will measure feedback from across the institution.

Individuals in those areas that process payments are invited to take a moment to complete the online form.

As the University prepares for a phased and safe return to campus, the Department of Human Resources recognizes that some employees may require an accommodation due to medical reasons or family responsibilities.

It has added new resources to support supervisors and staff to the Workplace Accommodation website, including:

• The Duty to Accommodate: A Guide for Supervisors. This document provides an overview of the role and responsibilities of supervisors with respect to workplace accommodation and highlights examples of reasonable accommodations within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Workplace Accommodation Request form. This form is designed to gather the initial information required to facilitate the accommodation process, including reasons for the request, type of accommodation being sought, and expected duration. In the case of a disability or medical accommodation, this form also provides guidance regarding documentation to substantiate the request.
• Frequently Asked Questions.

Human Resources encourages supervisors and staff to become familiar with the resources found in the Workplace Accommodation website.

Extreme heat conditions can cause a number of related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

In a message sent Monday to UWindsor staff and faculty, Human Resources shares tips from the Canadian Red Cross to help protect yourself and your family during a heat wave:

• Ensure you wear sunscreen, as sunburned skin reduces the body’s ability to cool itself.
• Drink plenty of cool fluids, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid caffeine and alcohol because they can cause dehydration.
• If you have pets, check on them frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat.
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.
• Slow down, stay indoors ,and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.

Monitor weather local forecasts — including humidex — and check Windsor-Essex County Health Unit website/Twitter/Facebook for extreme heat warnings.

Read the entire Wellness Tip of the Week.