News

On Thursday, January 11, 2024, the St. Bede Chapel at Renison was filled with community members, students, and faculty. This time not for a service, but for a theatre performance. With the events happening in Gaza, Niomi Cherney from Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) of Waterloo Region, reached out to organize an event to promote dialogue and challenge structures of oppression. IJV is a grassroots organization grounded in Jewish tradition that opposes all forms of racism and advocates for justice and peace for all in Israel-Palestine. Once connected with Renison, Niomi, along with Renison Chaplain Scott McLeod, and Culture and Language Studies professors Amir Al-Azraki and Vinh Nguyen, began crafting the vignette that would become the centre of the interactive theatre event.  

Renison is currently developing a new Strategic Plan, and we want your input.

Drop by Renison's Great Hall (cafeteria) to submit comments about our new draft in person during the following times:
 

• Wednesday, January 24, 2024: 11:30am-1:00pm
• Thursday, January 25, 2024: 2:00-3:30pm
• Monday, January 29, 2024: 10:00-11:30am

You may also read the draft mission and priorities, and submit your comments online. 

On behalf of Renison University College and Renison Association of Academic Staff (RAAS) and RAAS, Dr. Wendy Fletcher, President of Renison and Dr. Rob Case, President of RAAS, are pleased to announce that the new collective agreement, tentatively reached on December 19, 2023, has now been ratified. 

Renison University College invites applications for the position of President and Vice-Chancellor. Reporting to the Board of Governors and working in collaboration with Renison’s community of faculty, staff, and students, the President will lead the College in pursuing even greater opportunities grounded in academic excellence, student success, community engagement, and financial sustainability.  As the Chief Executive Officer of Renison, the President will successfully manage the infrastructure of human, educational, financial, and physical resources required to develop and deliver the College’s programming and student residence.

From all of us at Renison, we wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Holiday season!

Please note: Renison will be closed starting at noon on December 21, 2023, and the administrative offices will re-open on Thursday, January 4, 2024. Residence will re-open on Sunday, January 7 at 12:00pm to residents. Wishing you a restful break!

Renison University College installed Jodey Porter as its 10^th Chancellor on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 in the College’s Atrium with almost 150 well-wishers attending in person and online.

Jodey brings to her new role a long and esteemed career in social justice and advocacy work, having served as Assistant Deputy Minister of Health for the Province of Ontario and three terms as Ontario Human Rights Commissioner. She was also a staff member at the United Nations Human Rights Commission; Executive Director of the Canadian Diabetes Association; and Director of Development for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.

In mid-October our president Wendy Fletcher was privileged to participate in a distinguished visitors program in Seoul supported by the Korea Foundation. The Korea Foundation supports work around the globe in Korean language and culture studies. This meeting lasted for 5 days, and provided the opportunity for 12 academic leaders from around the globe representing universities with strong Korean studies programs to meet and network. The group was hosted for conversations with all organizations in Seoul which lead the higher education sector.

As Renison approaches the end of its current strategic plan, we are inviting all members of the Renison community to provide their perspectives to help inform the new strategic plan.

The strategic plan is the long-term vision for Renison, establishing clear priorities that will guide how we learn, work, and live together over the next three years. The goal is to co-create a three-year roadmap, driven by student-centered needs and goals that are equity-informed.

Our Board of Governors held Renison's Annual General Meeting (AGM) this week on Wednesday, October 25, 2023. At that event, the 2023 Annual Report was presented and is now available. 

It is with deep regret and heartfelt sadness that we share the news of the passing of Keiko Belair.

Keiko is a longtime friend to Renison. In addition to being a gifted Japanese instructor for many years at Renison, Keiko, along with her husband Charles, were long-time and generous donors to Renison. The Keiko and Charles Belair Centre for East Asian Studies was named in their honour. The Belair Centre Speaker Series, along with the One Sky Festival (formerly the East Asian Festival) will continue to be important and lasting legacies to the memory of Keiko and her time at Renison. Keiko’s daughter, Miya, has continued to maintain a strong relationship with Renison. Keiko will be deeply missed.