UWindsor president Robert Gordon will celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of faculty, students, and staff at the University over the past year, and look forward to key priorities and plans that will move forward in the coming year in a State of the University Address over Microsoft Teams on Wednesday, Jan. 26.

Among the topics of discussion are the University's plans for extensive consultation during its strategic planning process.

Members of the campus and surrounding communities are invited to listen to his presentation and ask questions, starting at 11 a.m. Register here to receive the link to the live event.

In collaboration with the University of Windsor’s Office of the Vice-President, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and with the support of the Black Council of Windsor-Essex, Continuing Education is offering an 18-hour course on race and anti-Black racism.

The course, “The Fundamentals of Race and Anti-Black Racism,” will focus on issues related to race and its origins, anti-Black racism, and the construct of whiteness. Through case studies and the sharing of experiences, participants will explore their own relationships to power, privilege, and oppression to enhance their awareness within their personal and professional interactions.

“The Office of the Vice-President, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is proud to collaborate with Continuing Education to launch this new offering,” said Marium Tolson-Murtty, director of anti-racism organizational change. “We look to provide a platform for participants to learn, understand, and grow in ​not only a safe space but a courageous space. The objective is for participants to take the opportunity to reflect on topics learned regarding the importance and the impact of race and anti-Black racism and begin to reflect on how they can apply anti-racist principles to their daily interactions.”

The Black Council of Windsor-Essex says it is supportive of this course and encourages organizations and members of our community to complete the certificate.

"We congratulate the University of Windsor for endeavouring to effectuate the recommendations detailed by the Anti-Black Racism Task Force,” said a statement from the council.

“With education being paramount, the Anti-Black Racism Certificate is an important component in the work of eliminating historical, systemic, and structural inequities in Windsor-Essex and beyond. We are pleased to collaborate in offering the talent and wisdom of our community toward this effort.”

This course will help individuals gain an enhanced vocabulary around issues of race, racism, ethnicity, and equity, along with increased knowledge about systemic and interpersonal racism. They will also develop an understanding of how political, economic, and social-cultural practice shape identity, power, privilege, and oppression. Increased awareness of unconscious bias, prejudice, and microaggressions, along with strategies to address anti-Black racism within society and the workplace are among the learning outcomes of the course.

Developed to represent one small step toward eliminating racial inequities through education, discussion, and respect, the course is geared toward individuals who seek a diverse and inclusive community through gaining a deeper understanding of issues around race and anti-Black racism.

Continuing Education will issue a certificate of completion to registrants who complete the course.

Classes take place Thursdays from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., Feb. 24 to March 31.

Organizations are invited to enrol their teams as part of diversity and inclusion training. Group rates are available. Email continue@uwindsor.ca for more details.

Individuals can register through the Continuing Education registration page.

In response to the rapidly spreading and highly transmissible Omicron variant, the Ontario government will distribute rapid antigen test kits from a pop-up site on the UWindsor campus Wednesday through Friday, Jan. 12 to 14.

People without symptoms of COVID-19 or people who have not had recent exposure to someone with COVID-19 will be able to pick up a package of free tests, while supplies last. There is a limit of one test kit per person.

They will be available from the Education parking lot on the south-west corner of University and California avenues:

• Wednesday, Jan. 12, walk-up to receive from 10 a.m. until they are gone
• Thursday and Friday, Jan. 13 and 14, starts at 10 a.m. but requires booking in advance through the Ministry of Health website, www.ontario.ca/page/pop-up-holiday-schedule-rapid-antigen-tests. Those without appointments will be asked to return at the end of scheduled bookings.

Based on the latest evidence and Ontario’s high rate of vaccination, the ministry is also updating isolation and testing guidelines to maintain the stability of critical workforces, including frontline health-care workers, first responders, and critical infrastructure like energy and food and supply chains.

Career Development & Experiential Learning has an exciting opportunity for professionals to inspire and help a current UWindsor student by sharing their expertise and experience.

The office is looking for professionals to host students for the upcoming Winter Virtual Job Shadow Experience. Hosts will spend an hour or two online with a student, providing valuable insights and guidance while answering questions about their industries and career paths.

This online career development program helps particpating students better understand how to connect their studies to the workplace, allowing them to gain a clearer picture of their goals after graduation.

Organizers encourage hosts — especially UWindsor alumni — from diverse sectors and locations to register.

Beth Oakley, director of the International Student Centre, enjoyed hosting a student last fall.

“Taking time to allow a student to shadow me in my position was as beneficial to me as it was to the student,” she says. “If I can provide a bit of inspiration and guidance to a young professional, maybe they can use it to help shape their future goals and direction.”

Eric Brisco, a software developer at Rocket Innovation Studio, agrees that the experience was valuable for him as well: “Hosting a shadow session is an opportunity to reflect on your own story while aiding in the development of another.”

Virtual Job Shadow Experience is set for the University’s reading week, Feb. 22 to 24.

If you or someone you know are looking to exercise leadership and mentorship qualities by sharing insights about career paths and opportunities with talented and motivated UWindsor students, find out more and register by Jan. 16 on the Job Shadow Experience host page.

For more information, contact career consultant Farrah Francis at Farrah.Francis@uwindsor.ca, or career advisor Stephanie Dupley at Stephanie.Dupley@uwindsor.ca.

The Innovative Design for Accessibility (IDeA) student competition, which challenges students to develop innovative, practical, and cost-effective solutions to accessibility issues affecting persons with disabilities, closes Jan. 28.

All UWindsor students are eligible to enter on their own or in groups. Ideas created and developed as a part of coursework may also be entered. All entrants will participate in making their pitches to the Feb. 10 judging panel, explaining their idea and how it would eliminate a barrier to accessibility for a chance to win prizes up to $500.

No physical prototype is required for entry as this competition is designed for students to present their idea in the best way possible.

More information, including examples of past entries, can be found on the Office of Human Rights, Equity and Accessibility website. A video on the competition is available as well.

To invite the IDeA student co-ordinator to provide a brief presentation to a class, or to request additional information, email idea@uwindsor.ca.