A Year in Review- selections from 2012 UVic Community Relations Updates

January: UVic approved the new Strategic Plan: A Vision for the Future: Building on Excellence with input from over 70 stakeholders throughout campus and the community. The plan can be found at http://www.uvic.ca/strategicplan/.

February: The Welcome Centre opened as your “one stop shop” and first point of contact for information, referrals or way finding assistance at the university. It is located on the main floor of the University Centre. See http://www.uvic.ca/services/welcome/.

March: UVic's first ever IdeaFest was held. Free presentations were open to the community including exploring the future of oceans, food security in BC, health care and our aging population. Stay tuned for IdeaFest2013 too (March 4-15, 2013). See http://www.uvic.ca/research/learnabout/news/ideafest/.

April: UVic was the host location for the Victoria Autism Awareness Walk on April 14th. Sandra Crowe of UVic Community Relations led the planning on behalf of the university. See https://www.victoriaautismwalk.com/ for details of this special event.

May: The report of community input on the planned Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities was released and a second series of open houses was held to gather additional community comments. The development variance application for the project was approved by Saanich Council in September. See http://www.uvic.ca/carsa/.

June: UVic became home to the most powerful microscope ever built. It’s a seven-tonne, 4.5-metre tall Scanning Transmission Electron Holography Microscope to better understand subatomic structures relevant to areas such as medical and environmental diagnostics, communications, computers, alternative energy and manufacturing. Details about this incredible microscope are available at http://www.stehm.uvic.ca/facility/instruments/.

July: UVic Gustavson School of Business scholars added another mark of excellence to their research record as the Canadian research group Higher Education Strategy Associates ranked them Number 1 among all Canadian universities for their research productivity in marketing. http://www.uvic.ca/gustavson/

August: UVic issued a Request For Proposals seeking the services of a consultant team to provide comprehensive architectural and engineering consulting services related to the planning, design and implementation of a UVic High Performance Rugby Academy Centre on Wallace Field.

September: The UVic 50th Anniversary Festival welcomed community members to campus for a jam-packed events schedule in celebration of 50 years of UVic excellence. As part of the Festival, UVic also welcomed back Alumni worldwide to our Homecoming. The Festival events included highlights such as Vikes athletic games, the Island Savings Family Zone, live music, campus open house events, bbq, themed tours, and more. The UVic 50th Anniversary continues to June 2013. For more details see the web page at http://www.uvic.ca/anniversary/.

October: The University of Victoria’s Community Mapping Initiative, Department of Geography and Office of Community-Based Research added the newest community green map—Oak Bay’s—to our local series. Oak Bay’s “Home Is All Around Us” green map visually captures the region’s natural, Indigenous and cultural heritage as well as ecological reserves, bike lanes, local gathering places, community values, future visions and more. The Community Association of Oak Bay coordinated the project with assistance from other supporters and sponsors, including the Victoria Real Estate Board. The map can be found as part of the inventory at http://www.greenmap.org/.

November: UVic supported the Victoria Leadership Awards nominations for “community heroes” for its annual recognition of people who have made a difference in the region. The awards will be presented in February 2013. More details available at http://www.leadershipvictoria.ca/.

December: A Special Convocation and President’s Distinguished Lecture highlighted the experiences that have shaped George Dyson’s influential reflections on the history and philosophy of science and technology. An Honorary Doctor of Laws was conferred on George Dyson followed by his President’s Distinguished Lecture: Two Years Before the Mast. See http://www.uvic.ca/anniversary/presidentslectures/dyson/index.php.

Looking ahead to 2013- free events for the community:

February 18, 2013: Anne Michaels - President's Distinguished Lecture and Special Convocation. Anne Michaels is a celebrated Canadian author whose poetry collections include The Weight of Oranges, (Commonwealth Prize for the Americas) and Miner’s Pond (Canadian Authors Association Award; shortlisted for the Governor General’s Award and the Trillium Award). Her bestselling first novel, Fugitive Pieces earned 10 awards including the Chapters/Books in Canada First Novel Award and the Orange Prize for Fiction in the U.K. Free registration for this event. Details can be found at http://www.uvic.ca/anniversary/presidentslectures/michaels%20/index.php

March 27, 2013: Dr. Vandana Shiva - President's Distinguished Lecture and Special Convocation. Trained as a physicist and philosopher, Dr. Vandana Shiva is one of the world’s most important ecofeminists and social justice activists. She founded Navdanya (“nine seeds”) – a women-centred movement to protect biological and cultural diversity – in India in 1987. She has since become a leading proponent of community food security, organic farming, seed-saving, and women’s involvement in agriculture. Navdanya has conserved more than 5,000 varieties of rice, wheat and other produce. http://www.uvic.ca/anniversary/presidentslectures/shiva/index.php

For a calendar of more free community events see http://events.uvic.ca/

November 2012 Update

UVic Supports the United Way- events for the whole community

• UVic Libraries Book and Record Sale.  Friday, November 16 & Saturday, November 17 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Michele Pujol room at the Student Union Building. The annual book and record sale coordinated by UVic Libraries is the biggest on-campus fundraiser for the United Way. Support the United Way of Greater Victoria by purchasing donated books and records, all sorted by volunteers from UVic and the community.

• Hearts and Hands Craft Fair. Tuesday, November 20 in the University Centre lobby. You can always find unique, handmade gifts offered by artisans from the UVic community and support the United Way at the UVic Hearts and Hands Craft Fair.

• That Chemistry Show will serve up mad science and cool tricks to delight kids of all ages on Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. in the Bob Wright Centre, room A150. Tickets cost $9.75. They are available in advance at the UVic Ticket Centre or at the door. All proceeds go to the United Way of Greater Victoria.

President’s Distinguished Lectures and Special Convocations- free and open to the public

• The President’s Distinguished Lectures will feature three captivating authors and thinkers, beginning in December. The first of these lectures, on Dec. 4, highlights the experiences that have shaped George Dyson’s influential reflections on the history and philosophy of science and technology. George Dyson is well-known in diverse sectors as an internationally acclaimed historian and philosopher of science and technology. His fourth book, Turing’s Cathedral, was published earlier this year and serves as a “creation myth for the digital universe.” Free tickets can be reserved in advance through the UVic Ticket Centre online, at auditorium.uvic.ca/tickets or by phone: 250-721-8480.

UVic Supports Leadership Victoria – nominations for awards open until November 30th

• The Victoria Leadership Awards are looking for deserving recipients in Greater Victoria who exemplify the term “community hero” for its annual recognition of people who have made a difference in the region. Now is the community’s chance to nominate an exemplary community hero in one of eight award categories. All nominations must be received by 4 pm, Friday, November 30th, 2012. See http://www.leadershipvictoria.ca/v_awards.html

Has your home heating oil tank been inspected?

• UVic’s Environmental Law Clinic has worked with the Gorge Tillicum Community Association to propose a solution to this important environmental challenge. Based on a review of what other jurisdictions have done to address the problem, the clinic recommends that the province and local governments legislate:

o   Mandatory regular inspection of tank systems.

o   Establishment of government-issued ID tag systems that confirm a tank and system is in good shape and not obsolete. Delivery of fuel to tanks without a valid tag should be prohibited.

o   Minimum physical standards for tanks and plumbing, and maximum life spans for heating-oil tanks.

o   A requirement that installers of new home heating systems ensure that existing oil tanks are properly decommissioned. Note that this is not just an environmental problem. It is also a serious issue for any homeowner who has an oil tank on their property. Most homeowner insurance policies do not cover such oil spills, and these spills can be extraordinarily expensive. For example, in one recent B.C. spill, the property owner faced a clean-up cost of more than $200,000. Such accidents have the potential to bankrupt a family.

 

October 2012 Update

Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities

·         On Sept. 17, Saanich Council approved the revised development variance permit application and provided for UVic’s demolition permit for S Hut to be processed by removing it from the Community Heritage Register. "We are now ready to start construction on CARSA and are grateful to our communities—both on and off campus—who helped make this happen," says Gayle Gorrill, vice-president of finance and operations at UVic. "We could not have done it without the invaluable input of community members, local residents and other partners throughout recent months and specifically over the course of two rounds of public open houses earlier this year. This process was also an excellent opportunity for UVic to begin developing a framework to strengthen consultation related to future capital projects."  More information is at http://www.uvic.ca/carsa/

UVic 50th Anniversary Festival

·         Thanks to everyone from the community that attended the UVic 50th Anniversary Festival on September 28 and 29. Photos are posted at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151065219378093.436607.7996548092&type=3 . Information about more UVic 50th Anniversary events can be found at https://www.uvic.ca/home/current/anniversary/index.php

Newest Local Green Map

·         The University of Victoria’s Community Mapping Initiative, Department of Geography and Office of Community-Based Research have added the newest community green map—Oak Bay’s—to our local series. Oak Bay’s “Home Is All Around Us” green map visually captures the region’s natural, Indigenous and cultural heritage as well as ecological reserves, bike lanes, local gathering places, community values, future visions and more. The Community Association of Oak Bay coordinated the project with assistance from other supporters and sponsors, including the Victoria Real Estate Board. See http://www.opengreenmap.org/greenmap/oak-bay-green-map

UVic Shares Wealth of Knowledge

·         For schools or community groups looking for intriguing speakers, the University of Victoria shares its immense wealth of knowledge through the annual UVic Speakers Bureau. The free service started in 1980 and offers an array of topics and experts in approximately 30 broad categories. Almost 150 new topics were added this year—including youth and electronic media; herbal medicines; and, fittingly for the university’s 50th anniversary year, a reflection on the history of UVic—bringing the total number to nearly 400. The UVic Speakers Bureau consists of 144 volunteers from among the faculty, staff, graduate students and retirees. To learn more, or to book a speaker, visit www.uvic.ca/speakers.

Café Scientifique on "Fairness and Voting Systems"

·         Don’t miss Café Scientifique 2012-2013 a monthly public discussion series sponsored by the UVic Faculty of Science. On Tuesday October 9th at 6:30 p.m. Dr. Anthony Quas of the Department of Math & Statistics will talk and lead a discussion on "Fairness and Voting Systems".  Hermann's Jazz Club 753 View St. Free.

·         For a calendar of more free community events see http://events.uvic.ca/

Enhanced Online Application More Efficient

·         It’s now easier than ever for prospective UVic students to apply online as a new online application (www.uvic.ca/application/) has been launched. “This is really about offering better service for our student applicants,” says Registrar Lauren Charlton. “Particularly for graduate students, being able to upload their application and all supporting documents at one time is a real boon. It makes for a more efficient, faster process for everyone.” Anyone accessing the previous URLs will automatically be redirected to “My UVic Application,” while there is also a direct link to UVic’s page from the ApplyBC provincial service.

 

September 2012 Update

The 2012 UVic Winter Session has started with students back on campus. We are welcoming the 50th Anniversary Class and looking forward to special events throughout the academic year.

The UVic 50th Anniversary Festival welcomes all community members to campus for a jam-packed events schedule in celebration of 50 years of UVic excellence. As part of the Festival, UVic also welcomes back Alumni worldwide to our Homecoming. The Festival runs from Friday to Saturday, September 28-29 on UVic's campus. The Festival events schedule includes highlights such as Vikes athletic games, the Island Savings Family Zone, live music, campus open house events, BBQ, themed tours, and more. See http://www.uvic.ca/anniversary/festival/index.php for more information.

The Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA) development variance application will be on the agenda of the District of Saanich Committee of the Whole on Monday, September 17 at 7:30 p.m. More information is at http://www.uvic.ca/carsa/

UVic Hosts 3rd Latin American and Spanish Film Week (September 18-23). The annual Latin American and Spanish Film Week at the UVic brings to the city an array of exciting films from the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking worlds. “We had a great response from the public last year, and we are looking forward to showcase again the diverse cultures of Latin America and Spain,” says event coordinator Dr. Dan Russek, professor in UVic’s Department of Hispanic and Italian Studies. All films will be shown with English subtitles. Show times are 7 and 9 p.m. Cost: $5.60 - $7.75 (regular admission fees). Visit www.cinecenta.com/ for schedule.

Are you interested in photography? Check out UVic’s Flickr Page at http://www.flickr.com/groups/uvic/pool/

UVic Research on Aging

University of Victoria researchers today received more than $330,000 for a project examining how older adults transition through various phases of the long-term care system.

Drs. Margaret Penning (Sociology) and Denise Cloutier (Geography) of UVic’s Centre on Aging will lead the research team on the project, to be conducted on the mainland within the Fraser Health Authority, with funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research ($233,259) and the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research ($99,967).

Penning, a professor in UVic’s Department of Sociology, is interested in the sociology of aging, health and health care, and in examining self, informal and formal care in relation to issues of chronic illness and disability in middle and later life, the impact of structural inequalities on health and health care, and health care restructuring and reform in the Canadian context. She also serves as editor-in-chief of the Canadian Journal on Aging.

Cloutier is a social gerontologist and health/social geographer.  She is an associate professor in UVic’s Department of Geography and the Centre on Aging. Broadly speaking, her research focuses on the care continuum for older adults ranging from formal health and social services to voluntary, and informal sector care. Her work explores the social determinants of health and the impacts of health sector restructuring on vulnerable older adults (e.g., rural older adults, socially isolated individuals, palliative clients, and stroke survivors).

UVic’s Centre on Aging promotes and conducts basic and applied research throughout the lifespan in partnership with seniors, their families, organizations, healthcare providers, and the government. It is a multi-disciplinary research centre partnering with families, health-care providers, government and organizations like the World Health Organization to understand and address the needs of seniors. Studies include needs assessments and social surveys, experimental research, program evaluations, development of clinical diagnostic tools, and social policy research.

August 2012 Update

Here is an informal update on items connecting UVic to the community this month. Check out the full UVic web site for more information.

• Carmen Charette was appointed vice-president external relations at the University of Victoria and began her role on August 1. Here is the link to her biography and the portfolio of External Relations http://external.uvic.ca/vicepresident.php.   

  

• The 2012 Olympics have wrapped up in London, with local athletes including several with UVic connections having marked some very memorable medal moments.  For more connections to UVic Vikes at the Olympics see http://www.govikesgo.com/

•  UVic has issued a Request For Proposals to select a strategic partner to assess the possibility of providing a biomass thermal energy plant. See http://web.uvic.ca/purc/suppliers/?p=3350

• UVic also issued a Request For Proposals, which closed on August 13th, seeking the services of a consultant team to provide comprehensive architectural and engineering consulting services related to the planning, design and implementation of a UVic High Performance Rugby Academy centre on Wallace Field.

• The Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA) is in the variance review phase and will provide a new home for UVic's Department of Athletics and Recreation and for CanAssist, which develops and delivers technologies, programs and services to improve the quality of life for people living with disabilities. On May 30, 2012, UVic submitted its updated variance application with the revised parkade design and preferred exterior option to the District of Saanich. More information is at http://www.uvic.ca/carsa/

UVic Supports Symphony Splash

Don't miss the upcoming Symphony Splash on Sunday, August 5th at Victoria's Inner Harbour. UVic is proud to be a member of the Band of Heroes to support this event. See http://www.victoriasymphony.ca/splash/ .