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Writing Centre gets new nom de plume
The Writing Centre has changed to the Writing and Communication Centre following Board of Governors approval at its meeting on Tuesday.
The Centre’s new name reflects its growth over the past few years, including new roles and expanded programming that better meet the diverse needs of students, postdocs, and faculty in changing communication contexts. In addition to writing, the Centre now provides coaching and support for a range of communication activities, from digital design to presentation skills.
The Writing and Communication Centre offers numerous programs and services that foster academic and professional communication skills. Partnerships with faculty and other support units tailor disciplinary and professional communication services for undergraduates. Graduate students can access thesis writing and defense coaching, as well as key professionalization initiatives in partnership with other units. And a new role now supports faculty and postdoctoral fellows with their publications, projects, and research writing.
The name change was also approved by the University's Senate at its March meeting.
The Writing and Communication Centre celebrated its 40th anniversary in October 2016.
Mental health advisory committee website online
The President's Advisory Committee on Student Mental Health now has a web presence, with resources including a contact form that gives people an opportunity to learn more or contribute their thoughts.
The Advisory Committee will aim to continue a campus conversation on student mental health and wellbeing. Through opportunities including open houses, stakeholder meetings and online forums the Committee will collect feedback and suggestions on what further steps can be taken to ensure that those who may be struggling can access the supports they need.
The committee is inviting feedback and ideas throughout the process, either at one of the in-person engagement opportunities or at any time by completing the web form.
Counselling Services offers mental health training
As this new web resource comes online, Counselling Services has announced its offerings of training sessions on mental health and suicide prevention skills. Several options are upcoming in the Spring and Fall terms:
- QPR training (1.25 hours) – Learn how to recognize and support someone who may be having thoughts of suicide.
- safeTALK (3.25 hours) – Learn simple, yet effective, TALK steps: Tell, Ask, Listen, and KeepSafe.
- More Feet on the Ground – Online – A free online mental health education program that teaches students, staff, and faculty to Recognize, Respond, and Refer individuals experiencing mental health concerns on campus.
- More Feet on the Ground In Person (2.5 hours) - This program uses online materials, as well as vignettes to teach students, staff, and faculty how to Recognize, Respond, and Refer individuals experiencing mental health concerns on campus.
- Mental Health First Aid (12 hours) - This training teaches students, staff, and faculty how to help someone who is showing signs of a mental health concern or is experiencing a mental health crisis.
For more information about each option and to register, visit Internships and Training on the Counselling Services website. Check back often as new sections and offerings will be posted as they become available.
Remembering Trudi Bunting
Human Resources has reported that retired Professor Trudi Bunting died on April 3.
Bunting joined the University in July 1970 as an assistant professor in the Geography department and received tenure in July 1981. The Geography department was later renamed Geography and Environmental Management.
Professor Bunting was also appointed to the School of Planning.
She was promoted to Associate Professor in January 1984.
Her field of interest included urban geography, environmental behaviour, and environmental personality in children. Her research and teaching included work in urban sprawl and its polar opposite, the development and health of downtown city areas, including studies of pedestrian behaviour and safety in central Kitchener and Cambridge.
Her work was often quoted in newspaper articles about the importance of downtown cores to a city's overall health. She was also the co-editor of several editions of Canadian Cities in Transition, a key urban planning textbook.
She was a CMHC Fellow and a member of the American Association of Geographers, the Canadian Association of Geographers, the Regional Science Institute and Community Planning Association.
She retired in January 2009 as Professor in Geography and Environmental Management and the School of Planning.
Professor Bunting is survived by her spouse Thomas Abler.
Notes on the first day of exams
The examination period begins today and runs until Tuesday, April 25. Students can take advantage of a variety of studying resources available to them through the Student Success Office and elsewhere. Best of luck!
The Critical Media Lab has shifted the time of its April 8 symposium, Data Publics/Data Paradigms. It is now taking place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday instead of from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. as originally reported. The symposium will feature presentations from students from English 794.
Human Resources is reporting that retiree Magdalene Koch died on March 23. Koch started at the University in September 1969 and retired as a Housekeeper in Village II in October 1988. She was predeceased by her spouse Gerhard.